Deleted Outlook contacts go to the Deleted Items folder first. Open Deleted Items, select the contacts and move them back. Use the server recovery command for contacts that left the folder. Microsoft states restored contacts return to Contacts. Your administrator sets the recovery window.
Your contact vanished from the address book and you need it back. Outlook stores deleted items in two places before they disappear for good.
Steps follow Microsoft Support pages on recovering deleted items and recovering items from the server. Steps apply to classic Outlook for Windows.
How to Restore Contacts From Deleted Items?
- Open the Deleted Items folder.
- Select the contacts you want back.
- Use Move on the Home tab and choose a destination.
How to Recover Contacts From the Server?
- Confirm you are online.
- Open Deleted Items and select Recover Deleted Items From Server on the Home tab.
- Select the contacts. Use Ctrl or Shift for several or choose Select All.
- Tick Restore Selected Items and select OK.
Microsoft states restored contacts go to Contacts. Items restored from Recoverable Items return to Deleted Items first.
What are the Recovery Limits?
- Recoverable Items. Items move to this hidden folder when you delete them from Deleted Items, empty Deleted Items or press Shift+Delete.
- Recovery window. Your administrator can set one window for Deleted Items and another for Recoverable Items.
- After the window. Administrators can still recover an item in some cases. Otherwise the item is permanently deleted.
- Trash folder. Accounts that show Trash and not Deleted Items do not support this method.
Related reading: how to restore the Outlook AutoComplete list and how to add a Gmail account to Outlook.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I Restore a Deleted Outlook Contact?
Open Deleted Items, select the contact and move it back. Use server recovery when it is gone from that folder.
Where do Restored Contacts Go?
Microsoft states they return to Contacts.
How Long are Deleted Contacts Recoverable?
Microsoft does not give one number. Your administrator sets the window.
Why is Recover Deleted Items Missing?
Accounts with a Trash folder do not support this method.
Key Takeaways
- Deleted contacts move to Deleted Items first.
- Server recovery restores contacts that left the folder.
- Restored contacts return to Contacts.
- Administrators set the recovery window.
- Permanently deleted contacts need administrator action.
Sources and References
Facts follow Microsoft Support.
- Recover and restore deleted items in Outlook (Microsoft Support) support.microsoft.com
- Recover deleted items from the server (Microsoft Support) support.microsoft.com