I'm Missing a Folder or Emails After Upgrading Outlook

Thank you for reaching Microsoft Community, David Stanley!

This is a common issue that many users experience, especially after increasing storage or switching to a new subscription plan.

Here sometimes to fixes it.

Check Folder Pane Settings. Sometimes the folder list is simply hidden.

Go to the View tab in Outlook.

Click Folder Pane and select Normal or Minimized to restore visibility.

Use Navigation Pane. If the Folder Pane is not the issue.

Go to View look for Navigation Pane and ensure Normal is selected.

Reset View Settings

Custom views may hide the folders.

Close Outlook.

Press Windows + R, then pop up box will showed up then type outlook.exe /cleanviews, and press Enter.

Or alternatively, in Outlook, go to View then Reset View.

Search for the Folder

You may have accidentally moved it.

Right click your mailbox name goto Data File Properties then Folder Size.

Look through the list to find the missing folder and its location.

Repair Outlook Installation

If none of the above is not working try this settings.

Go to Control Panel then Programs and look for Programs and Features.

Select Microsoft Office, Outlook, Repair

Tips

Use Ctrl + 6 to switch to folder view in Outlook desktop.

Check Inbox Rules Go to Settings goto Mail then Rules to ensure emails are not being auto moved or deleted.

Sync Issues If using IMAP, right click your inbox under IMAP folders look for Query then Subscribe to missing folders.

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Best Regards,

Lucky Charm | Microsoft Community

Hi @David Stanley,

Thanks for using Microsoft product and posting in the Microsoft Q&A. I understand how frustrating it is when you cant find your data anywhere. The good news is that in most cases, the folders and emails are not truly gone but are just hidden or have become disconnected due to a sync or profile issue. Here’s a full guide to help you find them, starting with the simplest solutions first.

1. Check for a Collapsed Folder: It's possible the folder is still there but is just collapsed within another folder. Make sure you've expanded all the main folders in the navigation pane.
2. Use the Search Function (if it's working): If your search function is working, try searching for a specific email you know was in the missing folder. If you find it, you can right-click it and select "Open File Location" to see where the folder is.
3. Restore from a Backup: If you have a backup of your Outlook data file (.pst), you can try importing it to recover the missing folder. Go to File > Open & Export > Import/Export and follow the wizard.
4. Check with Your Email Provider: If you're using an IMAP or Exchange account, log in to the web version of your email to see if the folder is still there on the server. If it is, a re-sync or a new profile might bring it back in Outlook.

I hope these steps provide some immediate relief and guidance. I recognize the importance of your email account to you, and I'm here to help you through these troubleshooting steps.

Please let me know how these suggestions work for you, or if you'd like assistance in navigating Microsoft's support channels.

Best regards   

Chloe L. | Microsoft Q&A Support Specialist