How to Recover Deleted Mail in Exchange 2003

Microsoft Exchange hosts email that can be recovered if deleted.

Microsoft Exchange Server is an email host that allows users with Outlook to send and receive email communication. One option on the Exchange Server is saving deleted emails. This allows the user to restore deleted email from the inbox. The settings are accomplished in the "Limits" section of the Exchange Server Manager. The limits save all deleted email for a specified number of days, and users can recover email in their Outlook client.

Instructions

1. Click the Windows Start button on the Exchange Server and select "All Programs." Select "Administrative Tools" and then click "Exchange Server Manager."

2. Click the Exchange Server name from the left side of the window. Right-click the user's mailbox name and select "Properties." This opens a new window.

3. Click the "Limits" tab. In this tab, enter the number of days you want the Exchange Server to store deleted emails in the text box labeled "Keep deleted items for (days)." Press the "OK" button to save the changes.

4. Open Outlook on the user's machine. Click the "Deleted Items" folder on the left side of the screen. Right-click the email you want to restore and select "Recover Deleted Item." This places the deleted emails back into the user's inbox.

Tips & Warnings

• The Exchange administrator needs to have limits set to at least 1 day for deleted emails to archive in the user's Outlook interface.

References

• MS Exchange: Deleted Item Recovery