How To Recover Deleted Draft Email In Outlook : Accessing Recoverable Items Folder

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Sending an email prematurely is frustrating, but Outlook keeps a temporary copy of your draft. If you are searching for how to recover deleted draft email in outlook, you are likely in a panic after losing unsaved work. The good news is that Outlook has several built-in recovery features that can help you get that draft back quickly.

Drafts are stored in a specific folder, but sometimes they vanish due to a crash, accidental deletion, or sync error. This guide walks you through every possible method to restore your lost message. We cover Outlook for Windows, Mac, and web versions.

How To Recover Deleted Draft Email In Outlook

Before diving into advanced recovery steps, check the most obvious places first. Many users overlook the Drafts folder itself. Open Outlook and look in the left navigation pane for a folder named “Drafts.” If you see it, click to open it. Your missing draft might be hiding there.

If the Drafts folder is empty, check the “Deleted Items” folder. Outlook moves deleted drafts there by default. Look for any email with “Draft” in the subject line or a date matching when you last edited it. If you find it, right-click and select “Move > Other Folder > Drafts.”

Still no luck? Proceed to the methods below. Each one targets a different cause of draft loss.

Method 1: Recover From The Unsaved Drafts Folder

Outlook has a hidden folder called “Unsaved Drafts.” It stores drafts that were being composed when Outlook crashed or closed unexpectedly. This folder is not visible by default. You need to enable it.

  1. Open Outlook and click the “File” tab in the top-left corner.
  2. Select “Options” from the menu.
  3. In the Outlook Options window, click “Mail” on the left sidebar.
  4. Scroll down to the “Save messages” section.
  5. Look for the field labeled “Save items in this folder.” It shows a path like: C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook\Drafts
  6. Copy that path. Then close Outlook completely.
  7. Open File Explorer (Windows key + E) and paste the path into the address bar. Press Enter.
  8. Look for files with extensions like .msg or .draft. These are your unsaved drafts.
  9. Double-click any file to open it in Outlook. If it’s your draft, save it to the Drafts folder.

This method works best if Outlook crashed while you were typing. The draft is saved automatically every few minutes.

Method 2: Use The Recoverable Items Folder

Outlook’s “Recoverable Items” folder holds deleted emails for up to 30 days. This includes drafts. You can access it through the “Deleted Items” folder.

  1. Go to the “Deleted Items” folder in Outlook.
  2. Look at the top of the folder for a link that says “Recover items recently removed from this folder.” Click it.
  3. A new window opens showing all recoverable items. This includes drafts, emails, and calendar items.
  4. Scroll through the list. Find your deleted draft. It may be labeled as “Draft” or show the subject line.
  5. Select the draft and click “Recover” at the top of the window.
  6. The draft moves back to the “Deleted Items” folder. Then move it to “Drafts.”

This method is only available for Microsoft 365 and Exchange accounts. If you use POP3 or IMAP, this folder may not exist.

Method 3: Search For The Draft Using Outlook’s Search Bar

Sometimes drafts get misplaced rather than deleted. Outlook’s search feature can find them quickly. Use specific keywords from the draft subject or body.

  1. Click inside the search bar at the top of the Outlook window.
  2. Type keywords like the subject line or a unique phrase from the email body.
  3. Add the word “draft” to your search query. For example: “project update draft.”
  4. Press Enter. Outlook searches all folders, including Drafts, Sent Items, and Deleted Items.
  5. If the draft appears, right-click it and select “Move to Drafts.”

Search is fast but only works if the draft is still in Outlook’s database. If it was permanently deleted, search won’t find it.

Method 4: Check The Sent Items Folder

If you accidentally sent the draft instead of saving it, check the “Sent Items” folder. Outlook sends drafts as regular emails. The draft is no longer in the Drafts folder because it was sent.

  1. Open the “Sent Items” folder.
  2. Sort by date. Look for emails sent around the time you lost the draft.
  3. Open the sent email. It contains the full content of your draft.
  4. If you want to continue editing, forward the email to yourself. Or copy the content into a new message.

This method is common when you hit “Send” by mistake. The email is sent, but you can recover the text from the sent copy.

Method 5: Recover From Outlook AutoRecover Files

Outlook has an AutoRecover feature that saves drafts every few minutes. These files are stored on your computer. You can find them manually.

  1. Close Outlook completely.
  2. Open File Explorer and navigate to this folder: C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook\
  3. Look for files named “Drafts” or “Unsaved Drafts” with an .olk14 or .msg extension.
  4. If you see a file with a recent date, double-click it. It opens in Outlook.
  5. If the file is your draft, save it to the Drafts folder.

AutoRecover files are temporary. They are deleted after Outlook closes normally. So this method only works if Outlook crashed or was force-closed.

Method 6: Use The Outlook Web App (OWA)

If you use Outlook with a Microsoft 365 account, the web version may have a copy of your draft. The web app syncs drafts to the server.

  1. Open a browser and go to outlook.com or your work’s Outlook Web App URL.
  2. Log in with your credentials.
  3. Click the “Drafts” folder in the left pane.
  4. Look for your missing draft. It may be listed with a “Draft” label.
  5. If found, open it and save it again. It will sync back to your desktop Outlook.

This method is useful if your desktop Outlook crashed but the web app saved the draft to the server.

Method 7: Recover From PST Or OST File

Outlook stores all data in a PST file (for POP3 accounts) or OST file (for Exchange/IMAP accounts). If the draft is not in any folder, you can scan the data file.

  1. Close Outlook.
  2. Go to Control Panel > Mail > Show Profiles.
  3. Select your profile and click “Properties.”
  4. Click “Data Files.” Note the location of your PST or OST file.
  5. Open File Explorer and navigate to that location.
  6. Copy the PST or OST file to a safe location as a backup.
  7. Use a third-party PST viewer or repair tool to open the file and search for drafts.

This method is advanced. It requires some technical know-how. If you are not comfortable, skip to the FAQ section or contact IT support.

Method 8: Check For Drafts In Outlook For Mac

Outlook for Mac has a similar structure. Drafts are stored locally. Here’s how to recover them on a Mac.

  1. Open Outlook for Mac.
  2. Click the “Drafts” folder in the left sidebar.
  3. If empty, go to the “Deleted Items” folder.
  4. Look for any draft emails. Right-click and select “Move to Drafts.”
  5. If still missing, use the search bar. Type keywords from the draft.
  6. Search in “All Mailboxes” to cover all folders.

Mac users can also check the “Unsaved Drafts” folder. Go to the “Tools” menu and select “Unsaved Drafts.” This folder shows drafts that were not saved due to a crash.

Method 9: Recover From Outlook Mobile App

If you use the Outlook mobile app on iOS or Android, drafts sync to the server. Check the app first.

  1. Open the Outlook app on your phone.
  2. Tap the menu icon (three lines) in the top-left corner.
  3. Tap “Drafts.” Look for your missing draft.
  4. If found, tap to open it. Then save it again.
  5. If not found, check “Deleted Items” in the app.

The mobile app syncs with the server. If the draft was saved before deletion, it should appear in the web version as well.

Method 10: Use System Restore Or File History

If all else fails, you can try restoring your computer to an earlier point. This method recovers the entire Outlook data file, including drafts.

  1. On Windows, open Control Panel and search for “Recovery.”
  2. Click “Open System Restore.”
  3. Choose a restore point from before the draft was lost.
  4. Follow the prompts to restore your system.

This method is drastic. It may affect other programs and files. Use it only as a last resort. Also, make sure to back up your current data first.

Preventing Future Draft Loss

Once you recover your draft, take steps to avoid this problem again. Outlook has settings that help protect drafts.

  • Enable AutoSave: Go to File > Options > Mail. Under “Save messages,” check “Automatically save items that have not been sent after this many minutes.” Set it to 1 minute.
  • Save drafts manually: Press Ctrl+S (Windows) or Cmd+S (Mac) while composing. This saves the draft immediately.
  • Use the “Save” button: In the email composition window, click the “Save” icon in the quick access toolbar.
  • Check your Drafts folder regularly: Make sure drafts are not accumulating. Delete old ones to avoid confusion.
  • Sync with cloud: Use Microsoft 365 or Exchange so drafts are stored on the server. This protects against local crashes.

These habits reduce the chance of losing a draft again. But if it happens, you now know multiple recovery methods.

Common Mistakes When Recovering Drafts

Many users make errors that prevent recovery. Avoid these pitfalls.

  • Opening Outlook again after a crash: This overwrites the unsaved draft file. Wait before reopening.
  • Emptying Deleted Items: Once emptied, drafts are harder to recover. Check Recoverable Items first.
  • Ignoring the search bar: Many drafts are simply misplaced. Search before assuming deletion.
  • Using third-party tools without backup: Some tools can corrupt your PST file. Always backup first.

Being patient and methodical increases your chances of success.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I recover a draft that was deleted months ago?

Outlook only keeps deleted items in Recoverable Items for up to 30 days. After that, the draft is permanently removed from the server. Local drafts may be recoverable from PST backups if you have them.

What if I don’t see the “Recover items” link in Deleted Items?

This feature is only available for Microsoft 365 and Exchange accounts. If you use POP3 or IMAP, the link does not appear. Try the Unsaved Drafts folder or PST recovery instead.

Does Outlook save drafts automatically?

Yes, Outlook saves drafts every few minutes by default. You can adjust the interval in File > Options > Mail > Save messages. Set it to 1 minute for maximum protection.

Can I recover a draft from another computer?

If you use the same Outlook account on multiple devices, drafts sync via the server. Check the web version or another device’s Outlook app. The draft may be there.

What is the best method for recovering a draft after a crash?

The Unsaved Drafts folder is the best bet. It stores drafts that were being composed when Outlook crashed. Follow Method 1 above to access it.

Final Thoughts

Losing a draft email is stressful, but recovery is often possible. Start with the simplest methods: check Drafts and Deleted Items. Then move to advanced options like Unsaved Drafts or Recoverable Items. If you are on a Mac or mobile, the steps are similar but with slight differences.

Remember to adjust your AutoSave settings to prevent future loss. A small change now can save you hours of frustration later. If you still cannot find your draft, consider reaching out to your IT department or Microsoft support. They have access to server-side backups that may hold your data.

By following the steps in this guide, you have a strong chance of recovering your work. Stay calm, work through each method, and you will likely find your missing draft.