Searching for Lost Email in Outlook's Archives Folder

Learn how to locate a lost email message by accessing the archives folder in your Desktop Outlook app.

Desktop Outlook app

1. Open Outlook.
2. Select the Search bar, then change the All Folders tab to Archive.
3. Use the Search function to search for Sender, Subject, or Keyword.
4.  Search for the specific email you are looking for.
5. If you cannot locate the email, log in to the Outlook Web App (outlook.office.com for faculty/staff or dukes.jmu.edu for students).
6. Follow steps 2 and 3 to check for an Archive folder and the email.
7. If you are unable to locate the email, unfortunately it may be permanently deleted.

For additional questions, you can contact the JMU IT Help Desk at helpdesk@jmu.edu or 540-568-3555.