How can I restore a deleted distribution list to my contacts?

[JPB]

I accidentally deleted a long DL from my contacts. (I was trying to delete a
single name, and hit the big X in the toolbar, which seemed the intuitive
thing to do. I guess not everybody's intuition works the same.) It is not in
the recycle bin. Does it still exist somewhere where I can retrieve it, or is
it gone for good (or, in this case, for bad)?

JPB

 

[Brian Tillman]

I accidentally deleted a long DL from my contacts. (I was trying to
delete a single name, and hit the big X in the toolbar, which seemed
the intuitive thing to do. I guess not everybody's intuition works
the same.) It is not in the recycle bin. Does it still exist
somewhere where I can retrieve it, or is it gone for good (or, in
this case, for bad)?

I just tried it. Naturally, since the Recycle Bin is a Windows File System
entity, Outlook items will not show up there, but they do show up in
Outlook's Deleted items folder.

 

[JPB]

Brian: Thanks so much. I am delighted to say, yes, the DL is still there.
Phew. there. The next question is: How can I transfer that list back into my
address book? I guess I could do it the old-fashioned way, one by one, but
you may know of a simpler method.

Thanks again.
JB

 

[ProfDD]

Drag (from Deleted Items folder) and drop (into Contacts folder).
Highlight the DL, holding the left mouse button, put cursor over the
contacts folder, release left mouse button,

 

[ProfDD]

Drag (from Deleted Items folder) and drop (into Contacts folder).
Highlight the DL, holding the left mouse button, put cursor over the
contacts folder, release left mouse button,

 

[Brian Tillman]

Brian: Thanks so much. I am delighted to say, yes, the DL is still
there. Phew. there. The next question is: How can I transfer that
list back into my address book?

You don't transfer it back to the address book, you put it back in your
Contacts folder. Just drag it back there.

 

[colm]

A DL just disappeared on me, don't recall deleting by accident, and its not
anywhere in Recycle bin, or Deleted Items folder...anyone any ideas where to
find it? Thanks Colm

 

[Christyc]

So where is the Outlook Deleted Folders? I don't see my deleted list in what
I think is this folder.

 

[Brian Tillman]

So where is the Outlook Deleted Folders? I don't see my deleted list
in what I think is this folder.

Read what I wrote again. It's called "Deleted Items" and it's one of the
standard folders. Every Outlook data store contains one. It should be
right there in your folder list between Contacts and Drafts.

 

[WOO]

I just tried it. Naturally, since the Recycle Bin is a Windows File System
entity, Outlook items will not show up there, but they do show up in
Outlook's Deleted items folder.

 

[WOO]

I accidentally deleted a long DL from my contacts. (I was trying to delete a
single name, and hit the big X in the toolbar, which seemed the intuitive
thing to do. I guess not everybody's intuition works the same.) It is not in
the recycle bin. Does it still exist somewhere where I can retrieve it, or is
it gone for good (or, in this case, for bad)?

JPB

 

[sullivans1]

Read what I wrote again. It's called "Deleted Items" and it's one of the
standard folders. Every Outlook data store contains one. It should be
right there in your folder list between Contacts and Drafts.

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Once you remove it from your Deleted Items Folder, it is gone for good and
cannot be retrieved. People are forever losing their DL's because the DL
interface is so poorly designed. The "Delete" icon deletes the entire DL
when most rational users are expecting it just to remove the selected
member. DL's were not really intended for use by rational human users.

 

[sullivans1]

hi - just found it in deleted, way back in 2005, when i created it. now -
how to move it..........suggestions?

 

[Brian Tillman]

hi - just found it in deleted, way back in 2005, when i created it.
now - how to move it..........suggestions?

Drag it back to your Contacts folder.

 

[J_Publicist]

Hi there,

I have a similar issue: I entered about 40 new contacts into a new DL. I
miskeyed - and I don't know what I hit - but I was trying to hit Alt+D to add
a new contact, but instead deleted the entire list.

I looked in Deleted Items and I also did a search on the entire system, but
nada.

So.... pretty volatile delete system if one can blow out a list that simply.

Any other ideas for recovery?

Thanks.

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

No, but I can't reproduce your findings. Lots of people hit the Delete
option while working in a DL not realizing it will apply to the DL, not a
member. "Remove" is the option you want to remove a member.
Hitting the Delete option inadvertently has always placed the DL in the
Deleted Items Folder for me. What data store were you using when you created
this DL?

 

[T]

I've just deleted another distribution list when trying to delete one contact
from a list. Many people in my office have complained about this too. if
there was a box that came up saying "are you sure you want to delete this
list" then we wouldn't have this problem.

also when i've accidently deleted one it never goes into the deleted items
file. is there anyway i can recover these distro lists? i'm sure i will do it
again in the future!

 

[Brian Tillman [MVP - Outlook]]

I've just deleted another distribution list when trying to delete one
contact
from a list. Many people in my office have complained about this too. if
there was a box that came up saying "are you sure you want to delete this
list" then we wouldn't have this problem.

It helps to realize that Create and Delete go together as does Add (or Select)
and Remove. You don't Select members and then Delete them, you Remove them.
Plus, the Remove button it right there next to the Select and Add buttons.
It's fairly hard to miss if you have even a modicum of consciousness.

also when i've accidently deleted one it never goes into the deleted items
file.

It does go into the Deleted Items folder.

 

[Carol Foley]

I have also deleted a distribution list from my contacts in the same way as
others, thinking I was deleted one of the contacts on the list. I see your
message about finding the Deleted Folders, but I cannot find it. I don't
know if I am in the wrong "view" or toolbar, or what. Any suggestions would
be appreciated.