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Outlook 2016 Automatically Deleting Emails: Top 5 Reasons & it’s Solutions

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Written By Ashwani Tiwari
Anuraag Singh
Approved By Anuraag Singh
Published On September 29th, 2020
Reading Time 5 Minutes Reading

With rising technology and demands, Microsoft has improved their functionality to make the user interface more clear and precise for the users. As a result, Outlook 2016 has been a worthy successor to its previous Outlook versions. Despite having a huge set of outstanding features, it has some demerits like emails being deleted automatically in Outlook 2019 / 2016 / 2013 / 2010. Therefore, in this article, we will discuss the reasons behind why Outlook 2016 automatically deleting emails from Inbox and their solutions. Let us take an example of a user query which helps to understand the problem clearly.

“I am using Outlook 2016 for mailing purpose. Some days ago, I found that whenever someone sends me an email, I didn’t get it in my inbox. I was worried and search the mail then noticed that Outlook emails automatically going to Deleted Items folder. Can someone please tell me why are my emails being deleted automatically Outlook and how can I stop it?”

Quick Solution: The below solutions are helpful in the scenarios if the users want to prevent automatic deletion of emails. But if you have already lost the emails then they can use an automated solution to recover permanently deleted emails from Outlook with ease. This is the one and only solution which allows users to recover deleted email messages in Outlook PST without any data loss. SysTools Outlook PST Email Recovery can retrieve hard deleted emails along with attachments easily.

emails being deleted automatically in outlook 2016/2013/ 2010

5 Steps to Recover Deleted Emails in Outlook

  1. Step 1: Run Outlook Email Recovery Software
  2. Step 2: Add your PST file & Click on Advanced Scan
  3. Step 3: Recover all Outlook automatically deleted old emails in folder
  4. Step 4: Click on Export option to save recovered emails
  5. Step 5: Import resultant PST file in Outlook 2016

Reasons Why Outlook 2016 Automatically Deleting Emails & Its Solutions

There can be many reasons for Outlook 2016 deleting emails automatically from inbox problem as Outlook has many features that allow automatic deletion of emails. So, this article will discuss each scenario one by one to understand the causes of the problem & try to explain Outlook 2016 automatically deleting emails in folder.

1. Message Rules in Outlook 2016

Sometimes, users may have created certain rules due to which emails going directly to deleted items in Outlook 2016 / 2019. In this case, a rule can also be applied to the email which was not intended to be the target originally. This will lead to automatic deletion of emails in Outlook 2016.

Solution: The MS Outlook rule to delete emails older than 30 days in a folder. For resolving this problem, it is suggested that you should check the Delete or Move to Deleted Items folder rules or to temporarily disable them to check whether it solves the problem or not.

Message Rules in Outlook 2016

2. “Ignore Conversation” Feature

The Ignore conversation feature was added in Outlook 2010 & it has been a part of the later versions since then. This option helps to stop the receipt of emails from any certain conversation which you are a recipient of.

Solution: If you want to prevent Outlook from automatically deleting emails then, click on that message in the Deleted Items Folder & press the Ignore button. Then, auto-deleted emails will be transferred back into Inbox folder immediately.

Ignore Conversation Feature

3. “Move Conversation” Feature

Move Conversation feature is similar to the Ignore Conversation feature. It moves the emails to a specified folder in spite of moving them into deleted Items folders without deleting them but it would cause the same impact.

Solution: To undo the effect of this feature, right-click on any message from the conversation & select the “Disable Always Move Conversation” option.

Move Conversation Feature

4. Antivirus scanner integration

Sometimes antivirus may also be the root of the Outlook automatically moving emails from inbox to deleted items folder problem. Every antivirus software consists of an on-access scanner that continuously runs in the background and scans the possible threats. Also, most antivirus programs are present as integration within Outlook in the form of Add-ins. The antivirus integration with Outlook can lead to emails being falsely reported as being malicious. Then, emails going directly to deleted items in Outlook 2016 and transferred to the Deleted Items Folder.

Solution: To disable the scanning of incoming emails, turn off the integrated virus scanner, either from within the Outlook program or from the Antivirus software itself. Doing this will stop Outlook from auto-deleting emails in inbox.

Disable virus scanner integrations

5. Synchronized Devices

There is a high chance that a person uses Outlook application on devices such as smartphones, tablets apart from just desktops and laptops. A reason why emails are getting deleted automatically in Outlook 2016 is that they may be deleted on other devices synced with Outlook mailbox.

Solution: This has to do with POP3 & IMAP protocols that regulate the sending and receiving of emails. If you are using IMAP on some devices and POP3 on other devices then make sure that you have enabled the option under POP3 to “leave a copy on the server”.

leave a copy on the server

Summing Up

In this write-up, we have discussed why Outlook 2016 automatically deleting emails in folder. This make it easy for users to understand the reasons for this auto-deletion of emails issue. Along with reasons, the solutions are also discussed to resolve emails being deleted automatically in outlook 2016 / 2013 / 2010 issue.

Common Queries

Can I fix Outlook automatic deletion of emails issue permanently?

Yes, this Outlook problem appears due to certain internal settings in your Outlook account. One can check each of the causes and resolve them easily as suggested in this blog.

Can I restore all deleted email messages in bulk?

Yes, you can retrieve and save deleted email messages from your Outlook PST file. Export mails in PST format and import the result file in your Outlook 2019 / 2016 / 2013 / 2010 / 2007 version.

How can I restore my deleted emails in Outlook?

Resolving the cause for automatic deletion emails can fix your issue permanently. But to recover lost email messages and attachments, you need a recovery tool. Get SysTools Outlook Mail Recovery wizard.

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By Ashwani Tiwari

Being a Chief Technical Analyst, I am aware of the technicalities faced by the user while working with multiple technologies. So, through my blogs and articles, I love to help all the users who face various challenges while dealing with technology.