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Step 1
Open Outlook Express. Click on the Tools menu.
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Step 2
Click on Options.
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Step 3
Click on Maintenance.
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Step 4
Click on Store Folder. Locate the name of the folder where your files were stored. These files often include outgoing email messages or messages that you sent to someone. Note the name of the folder.
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Step 5
Close Outlook Express.
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Step 6
Double-click the Recycle Bin icon on your Windows desktop.
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Step 7
Look at the side menu options. Click on “Restore most recent sent items (.bak files)”. Close the Recycle Bin.
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Step 8
Open Windows File Explorer, or simply right-click on the Start button and select “Explore”. Find the folder you located in Step 4. If you don’t see it in the Windows File Explorer, you can always select “Find” from the Start menu. Open the folder that holds your deleted files.
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Step 9
Click Tools, then Folder Options, and select View. Then, enable the “Display hidden and system files” in the same folder.
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Step 10
Remove the checkmark in “Hide extensions of known file types”. You will see the Sent Items.dbx file and the Sent Items.bak. file.
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Step 11
Rename the Sent Items.DBX to Sentold.dbx. Rename the Sent Items.Bak to Sent Items.DBX. Open Outlook Express. Your messages should be restored.
