Retrieving Archived Files

After you create an archive either by using the AutoArchive feature or by manually archiving a folder or folders, an Archive Folders icon is added to the Outlook Folder List as shown in Figure 19.4. To open the Folder List, click the Folder List arrow next to the name of the currently open folder; use the pushpin on the right of the Folder List to place the Folder List in the Outlook window. You can retrieve archived items from the subfolders in this Archive folder and copy or move them back to any of your Outlook folders.

Figure 19.4. Archived items can be copied or moved from Archive Folders to other Outlook folders.

To retrieve an archived file, follow these steps:

1. Open the Folder List. An Archive Folders icon will have been added to the list immediately after an archive file has been created (see Figure 19.4).

2. Click the plus symbol ( + ) to the left of the Archive Folders icon to expand the folder. Folders that you have automatically or manually archived are present as subfolders. For example, if you archived your Inbox, an Inbox folder is available under the Archive Folders.

3. To view the archived items in a particular folder, select that folder (such as the Inbox or Calendar). The archived items, such as messages, appear in the Contents pane.

4. To move an item or items, select the items in the Contents pane and then drag them to an Outlook folder. For example, you could drag messages from the Archive Inbox folder to your Inbox.

Any or all items can be moved or copied from an archive folder to your Outlook folders such as the Calendar or the Inbox. The ability to quickly view the contents of an archived folder makes it easier for you to see how the archive options that you set for AutoArchive or a manual archive have actually archived items in a particular folder.