Summary: There are things to enable ahead of time if you would like to save your email history, but if they are not enabled then your emails are gone for good.
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Is there a way to retrieve my email history after I've deleted them? |
Chances are by the time you have to ask, probably not. There are several settings in various email programs that can help, but you do have to set them up before you process your email in order to get their benefit.
Let's review a couple of the common ones. Perhaps they're already set, and you can retrieve what you're looking for.
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First, many programs have recycle bins. Much like Windows, if you delete an email, it gets placed in the Recycle Bin instead of "really" being deleted. The Recycle Bin gets emptied either when you explicitly do it, or if the option is set automatically when you exit your email program. Have a look in your Recycle Bin if you have one.
Some email programs can be configured to automatically save sent messages. Outlook, for example, has a separate "Sent Mail" folder that keeps a copy of every message you send - if you've turned it on. Many email programs have similar settings.
Email programs that support "rules" or actions that can be taken when email arrives can be configured to save a copy of incoming email as well.
Finally, another option particularly useful if you're traveling is the option to "leave messages on server". Normally when you download your email, it's removed from the server that was holding it. As it implies, you can instruct many email programs to leave the messages on the server, often specifying an optional length of time before they're automatically deleted. If the messages have been left on the server, you can typically use a different email program, or webmail access, to view the messages again.
The bad news is that most of these items are optional and most default to being turned off. So if you haven't turned them on, your delete may in fact have permanently deleted the message.
Related:
Are deleted emails really deleted? Depending on what email program you use, deleted emails may or may not be really deleted.
Where is the message History file? If enabled, MSN Messenger stores your message history in a relatively obscure location, but it's easily discovered.
Article C2109 - July 10, 2004
Hi, I have a query regarding emails, sometimes when I send an email the person doesn't get it, even though it was definitley sent to the right address. What happens to the email that doesn't get there? does it end up in someone elses' inbox?
Posted by: B at April 15, 2007 2:21 PMThanks
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You probably want this article: http://ask-leo.com/why_does_email_get_lost.html
Leo
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Posted by: Leo A. Notenboom at April 23, 2007 9:12 PMT/sg2GdhJbRs2Nqyz5fkvwU=
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I have deleted a email now I have to have that email for a job fair. How can I retrieve it when it has already been deleted out of the trash bin?
Posted by: Elizabeth at June 4, 2007 10:41 AM-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
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I note you're on Hotmail - that answer is here:
http://ask-leo.com/messages_deleted_on_hotmail_can_i_get_them_back_somehow.html
Thanks,
Leo
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Posted by: Leo A. Notenboom at June 4, 2007 10:49 AMmbIb6HEwpu22abyvV1C7N2k=
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I accidently deleted some e-mails that I seriously need quickly, I'm a Pastor of a Church and I need them could you please help me.
Posted by: kennedy B. andrews at July 24, 2007 7:27 AM-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
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You're *probably* out of luck, but without knowing what email program you use,
there's no way for me to say for sure.
Leo
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Posted by: Leo A. Notenboom at July 24, 2007 3:04 PMg22kjE7h6CfwTVaGUKmeWhA=
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I need desperately to retreive some important e mails from aug-sep 2004 from my hot mail account. Unfortunately my computer at home crashed earlier this year and all files have been lost. Is there any way the e mails could be retreived?
Posted by: Ram Mani at October 17, 2007 4:10 AM-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
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Not that I'm aware of.
Leo
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Posted by: Leo A. Notenboom at October 18, 2007 12:58 PMK+1J8c2UevRhb3zoIyPwoXY=
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i deleted my emails by accident on saturday so i contact hotmail (msn) that i accidently deleted them they contacted me back on sunday saying they went into my account and retreived my email and they should be on there within 72hours if they didnt come on within the 72 hours then they were permently deleted but then i checked my deleted folder again and they were back in my folder by sunday night
Posted by: mrs a lowres at November 27, 2007 12:24 AMI didn't use my email account from last 3 months, i lost all of my emails in that account. how do i retrieve all those ?
13-Oct-2008