Find an email that seems to be missing

Search tips that find messages quickly.

Updated September 21, 2026

Most missing emails are in a different folder than you expect, or hidden by a filter.

  1. Click in the search box at the top of Outlook and type a name, or a word you remember from the subject.
  2. If Outlook offers a choice, search All folders or All mailboxes, not only the current folder.
  3. Check that no filter is on. If Unread or Filter is highlighted above the message list, turn it off.
  4. Look in Junk Email, Archive and Deleted Items.

Search tricks

  • Type from: followed by a name, such as from: Alex, to see only messages from that person.
  • Type subject: followed by a word to search subject lines only.
  • Type hasattachments:yes to find messages with files attached.