In Microsoft Outlook, AutoArchive (AutoArchive: To automatically remove items to another folder periodically or delete them, based on the amount of time that they have been in the folder.) is on by default and runs automatically at scheduled intervals, removing old and expired items from folders. Archived items remain available to you in the default location, Archive Folders in the Navigation Pane, or in a location that you specify.
For more information on archiving items, including how to archive items manually, see Back up, restore, or delete items using AutoArchive.
To find and open your archived items, do one of the following:
- On the Go menu, in the Folder List (Folder List: Displays the folders available in your mailbox. To view subfolders, click the plus sign (+) next to the folder. If the Folder List is not visible, on the Go menu, click Folder List.), click Archive Folders (or the name you specified for the archive location).
- In the Navigation Pane (Navigation Pane: The column on the left side of the Outlook window that includes buttons for the Mail, Calendar, and Tasks views and the folders within each view. Click a folder to show the items in the folder.), under All Folders, in the Folder List (Folder List: Displays the folders available in your mailbox. To view subfolders, click the plus sign (+) next to the folder. If the Folder List is not visible, on the Go menu, click Folder List.), click Archive Folders (or the name you specified for the archive location).
If your archive folders and items don’t appear in the Navigation Pane, the data file might have been closed. To open the archive data file, do the following:
- On the File menu, point to Open, and then click Outlook Data File.
- Click the archive .pst file that you want to open, and then click OK.
Top of Page
