I accidentally permanently deleted a folder from Outlook Express - any chance of getting it back?

[my_pointy_head_is_sharp]

I've been busy all day, transfering emails into folders, that way I won't be a target for the PE_MAGISTR.8 virus again (the one that takes random stuff from your computer & sends it to random people). It sends stuff to anyone in your email folders (Inbox, Sent, Drafts, etc.)

I accidentally deleted an entire folder in Outlook Express, one that still had lots of emails in it. It's deleted from the Deleted folder, too. (I don't know how I did it, but I did.) And there's nothing in my Recycle bin. Any chance I can retrieve it?

[my_pointy_head_is_sharp]

Also, I'm wondering if there's an easier way to save emails into a folder in My Documents.

Here's what I did. I would highlight the contents of an entire folder in Outlook Express, then forward it as attachments, and send it to myself. After receiving the incoming email (with all of the emails as attachments), I would click File, and Save attachments, and save them into a folder I created.

It's especially difficult with emails that have the same title, because those have to be saved individually, and named something else (I usually do -01, -02, etc.) This requires a lot of cross-checking. The goal is to end up with the same number of files in both places (in the new folder, and in the Outlook Express folder). Once the transfer is complete, the emails in the Outlook Express folder can be deleted.

Is there an easier way to save emails into a folder, without having to send them to myself?

[AZLiberty]

Are you sure you deleted it, and didn't just drop it into another folder?

[b4its2late]

You would've had to delete it, then delete it again from the deleted folder folder. It's kinda tough to do unless you REALLY wanted to delete it.... Sorry. But, I know it IS possible.

[spycatcher]

Deleted files - still there

[b4its2late]

I you were in Windows Explorer?, then that would not be good. Were you simply in Outlook Express?

[HighWheeler]

FIRST: DO NOT USE ANY DEFRAG PROGRAMS on your hard drive until you recover the folder.

The Folder still exists on your hard drive, all you did was set some flag that said that space is now available for use. Use a program like Norton to recover the files, it's been a while but I have done it, it works, but not as well as I hoped.

[TomGuy]

Check your Recycle Bin and see if the deleted directory/files are there. If not, you might try a recovery program. One I tried is Recover4all.

[Dust in the Wind]

"Is there an easier way to save emails into a folder, without having to send them to myself?"

Easier?. . . if you mean into a folder in Windows but outside Outlook Express then highlight, copy and paste into a Word program before saving to where ever.

[my_pointy_head_is_sharp]

I was up till 2 AM last night, and 4 AM the night before, dealing with the aftermath of the PE_MAGISTR.8 virus. I guess I'm not thinking straight. What happened was, while intending to delete just one email, the whole folder suddenly got sub-grouped under the Delete folder. So I deleted it from there. I think at that point it was permanently deleted, but I'm not sure.

[Buckeroo]

Why in the world do you use MS Outlook Express to begin with?

[my_pointy_head_is_sharp]

Thank you. I've saved the link for future use. But these particular files never went into the Recylce Bin. Once you delete emails from Outlook Express, the emails just disappear from your computer. They don't go into the Recycle bin.

[my_pointy_head_is_sharp]

Yes, I was in Outlook Express. I deleted one of the folders that was filled with emails.

[my_pointy_head_is_sharp]

What else can I use?

[my_pointy_head_is_sharp]

I don't have Norton. Is there something else that will retrieve them?

[HighWheeler]

Yeah, go to that site that is linked in Post #4 on this thread.

[i_dont_chat]

If Oliver North is reading this, maybe he could shed some light?

[Nataku X]

do a search on your computer for the file "Deleted Items.dbx". Open it with Wordpad. You can read all your old emails if there is any urgent information contained within. As for actually recovering the folder, no idea.

[b4its2late]

Then go to your Deleted Items folder. They should still be there, because you have to permanently delete them from there. They should still be there! Aaaaaaahhhhhhhh! They are still hiding in the caves.... AAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!

[tet68]

My thoughts exactly.

TRY and delete Outlook Express.Go on,I dare you.

[my_pointy_head_is_sharp]

That seems to be only for files on the hard drive. I don't know if it will work for Outlook Express files.