---
title: "How to prevent automatic deletion of emails in Outlook"
url: https://lookeen.com/blog/how-to-prevent-automatic-deletion-of-emails-in-outlook
lang: en
description: "Does your Outlook automatically delete your emails? You can prevent this with the following guide. Click here!"
author: "Froher Yosofy"
published: 2023-02-24T08:00:06+00:00
modified: 2026-11-11T04:12:32+00:00
---

# How to prevent automatic deletion of emails in Outlook

Does Outlook automatically and unintentionally delete your emails? In fact, this happens quite often for users of the email provider. In the following blog post, we will show you how to easily prevent this. Use the instructions below to do so.

## Outlook: Disable automatic email deletion – here’s how

You can’t find certain emails anymore? Perhaps Outlook deleted them automatically. First, check the *Deleted Items* folder and restore the email afterward. Can’t find your email there either? [Try the Lookeen search plugin for Outlook](https://lookeen.com/solutions/outlook-search/outlook-search). The search software scans Outlook in seconds and is guaranteed to find every email again. However, to prevent automatic email deletion in Outlook in the future, use the following step-by-step guide.

**Step 1:** Start Outlook.

**Step 2:** Click on *File* and then on *Options*.

**Step 3:** Open the section: *Advanced*.

**Step 4:** Under the *Startup and Shutdown* tab, you will find the option: *Empty Deleted Items folders when exiting Outlook*. Uncheck it here.

![Prevent automatic deletion in Outlook Advanced Options](https://lookeen.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Outlook-Erweiterte-Optionen-automatisches-Loschen-verhindern.jpg)

## Outlook: Disable autoarchive – here’s how

Are your emails ending up in the *Deleted Items* folder unintentionally and automatically? Then you should disable autoarchive. Here’s how it works:

**Step 1:** Start Outlook.

**Step 2:** Right-click on your Inbox. Alternatively, you can do this for any folder where emails should not be automatically archived.

**Step 3:** Click on *Properties* and then go to the field: *AutoArchive*.

**Step 4:** Select the option: *Do not automatically archive items*.

Autoarchive in Outlook is now disabled.

I hope this article has helped you prevent automatic email deletion in Outlook. To securely back up your data in Outlook long-term, you should perform a backup. [Click here for the appropriate guide!](https://lookeen.com/blog/outlook-back-up-data-and-create-a-backup-here-s-how/)

See you soon!

[Lookeen searches your Outlook archive in seconds and finds every email!](https://lookeen.com/solutions/outlook-search/outlook-search)