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Are deleted emails really deleted?

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Summary: Depending on what email program you use, deleted emails may or may not be really deleted.

It is said that "deleted files" are never completely erased unless you actually do so with the proper software. Does this also refer to emails? Once I erase an email (incoming or outgoing copy), does that stick around somewhere also?

In order to make the operation fast, when you delete a file, the operating system typically just sets a flag or removes an entry from a directory - the actual data within the file is left on disk to be reused later. Does the same apply to email messages?

In short: maybe.

First, let's be clear: when you delete a file in many email programs they're actually moved to a recycle bin so you can often find them there until the recycle bin is emptied. When you empty the recycle bin, then the messages are actually deleted.

The problem is that different email programs all use different approaches to storing their email. As a result, there's no one answer as to what happens when they delete a message.

One clue is if the email program provides a "compact" function for its email storage. That implies that the file will grow as email arrives, but when files are deleted the file doesn't get smaller until you compact. That implies that like a file system, messages that are deleted are simply marked without freeing up the space immediately. Like file systems, as long as new messages haven't overwritten where the deleted messages used to be, then it might be possible to actually retrieve deleted messages. It might need special tools, but it could be possible.

One caution is that some email programs automatically rewrite or compact their files on exit, so this might only work if you make a copy of the email files before exiting the program.

And finally, all of this applies to email that's downloaded to your system. Web-based email like Hotmail or Yahoo, server-based email systems like Microsoft Exchange, or IMAP servers add another level of complexity that makes deleted email that much less likely to be retrievable.

Related:

Article C2274 - February 2, 2005

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Recent Comments
64 Comments

I read the answers you gave to individuals needing to retrieve deleted email. Just to be clear. I am trying to retrieve an email that i accidently deleted from my trash on my Yahoo account. Are you saying there is absolutely no way to get those back other than a court order or some type of legal intervention?

Thank you

I'll never say "absolutely no way", but I will say that in your shoes I would definitely consider it a lost cause.
- Leo
20-Nov-2008
Posted by: Valerie at November 18, 2008 9:39 AM

How could I retrieve my Gmail deleted mails.please help me I accidentally deleted those mails.I need those mails.

Check the "All Mail" link, and the "Trash" link, both on the left hand side of the GMail screen. If they're not there, they they're gone forever.
- Leo
14-Feb-2009

Posted by: ashna at February 14, 2009 5:03 AM

Sometimes when you have deleted emails, you can still find them in Mail2Web. I use Outlook Express. I have found, though, that Mail2Web lets the Inbox fill WAY, WAY up, and I need to go in there about at least once a week and delete all the emails I don't want to save there.

Posted by: Ursula at March 3, 2009 6:13 PM

Hi there.. i am wondering, i accidently deleted a few e-mails a while back that i now currently need... how would i go about retrieving them? do i contact hotmail themselves? and if so how do i do that as i cannot find an e-mail address for them. These e-mails are VERY important and i have no clue how i managed to delete them but i really really do need them back. please if you can get back to me ASAP that would be greatly appreciated.

Check the deleted folder, and if it's not there, then I know of no way to get it back.
- Leo
21-Mar-2009

Posted by: Kayla at March 20, 2009 8:40 AM

I need help....
there are emails that I need to retrieve dating back to july 06....
i have always used aol...the laptop that I was using had been restored recently...
These emails are something that can help me in court,,,,what can I do?

Posted by: Matt at May 20, 2009 10:11 AM

i use Incredimail it has a sheet for deleted items which can be used to see but lately all it does is list the deleted emails no read deleted some real important need badly could you help

Posted by: ray prest at July 18, 2009 7:48 AM

I have hotmail and want to retrieve my drafts and deleted mail from the manage folder. What do I have to do?

Posted by: Rhona Schwartz at July 24, 2009 9:54 AM

Ok so what about this. I use gmail are my emails somehow stored on my computer where if I get rid of it they will be someone will be able to read them?

Since GMail is web-based, your emails may appear in your browser's cache. Clear your cache.
Leo
18-Oct-2009

Posted by: jennifer at October 17, 2009 7:12 AM

AOL emails - I deleted some emails using AOL then deleted from the recently deleted area - can I retrieve them at all or just out of luck.

Posted by: Russ at November 10, 2009 3:43 PM

I changed my internet provider recently and have since realised that i have lost some of my contact email addresses and some emails that I now need, is there any way to retrieve them? My isp was tiscali.

Posted by: Karen at November 18, 2009 10:26 AM

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