Outlook 2010
If you’re searching for an email you received a few months ago, it can be annoying when you enter a search term, nothing is found, and you have to click Try searching again in All Mail Items.
By default Outlook 2010 is set to only search in the current folder. We can change the locations that are searched the first time. Click on the File tab to access Backstage View and click on Options.
In Outlook Options click on Search and under Results select All folders, and check Include messages from the Deleted items folder in each data file when searching in All Items…then click OK.
Now when you’re searching for a specific email, all folders will be searched including Deleted Items.
If you try this out and get too many results and don’t want to deal with that…keep Current folder marked and just check the box to include messages from Deleted Items.
Outlook 2007
You can also help your search results in Outlook 2007. Click on Tools \ Options.
In the Options screen click on the Search Options button.
At the bottom of the Search Options screen check the box to included Deleted Items and All folders under Instant Search Pane if you want that option as well…then click OK.
If you’re tired of only searching in the current folder when you’re trying to find an email, adding more search options should help speed up the process and make it easier to find what you need.
