How to get back emails that closed when a restart was forced?

Kristen Montag 0 Reputation points
2026-09-11T20:13:11.22+00:00

Is it possible to get Outlook to reopen the emails you had open on your desktop when it forces a restart and they all disappeared?

Outlook | Windows | New Outlook for Windows | For business
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  1. AI answer

    2026-09-11T20:13:24.91+00:00

    Yes. In Outlook for Microsoft 365 on Windows, Outlook can prompt to reopen items from the last session after an unexpected close or forced restart.

    If the feature is available in the desktop app:

    1. Open Outlook.
    2. Go to File > Options.
    3. On the General tab, under Start up options, set the drop-down to Ask me if I want to restore previous items.

    If Outlook already closed and the open emails disappeared, the next launch may show this prompt: “Outlook closed while you had items open. Reopen those items from your last session?”

    If that option does not appear in Outlook, this behavior was a known issue in some Office perpetual builds starting with Version 2306, and it was fixed in Version 2309 Build 16827.20130. Updating Outlook may help: File > Office Account > Update Options > Update Now

    If the option is missing and the reopen prompt keeps appearing or does not work consistently, there is a registry workaround to control the setting. Warning: editing the registry can cause system or application problems if done incorrectly.

    Registry path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\Preferences

    DWORD: ReopenWindowsOption

    Values:

    • 1 = Never reopen previous items
    • 0 = Ask me if I want to reopen items
    • 2 = Always reopen previous items

    Also, if Outlook was forced closed or Windows shut down before Outlook finished closing, Outlook data files can be reconciled on the next start. During that time, Outlook may show checks for the .ost or .pst file, and performance can be affected until that process finishes.

    References:

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  2. Lin v 1,285 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-09-11T21:11:25.16+00:00

    Hi Kristen,

    New Outlook includes a Reopen items feature under Settings > General > Start up, which can be set to ask whether to reopen previously opened items or to reopen them automatically.

    User's image

    However, based on my own testing, the feature may require some time before previous session information is fully reflected. I also noticed that the behavior can vary. In some cases, Outlook prompted me to reopen items from my previous session, while in other cases it did not.

    I would suggest waiting up to 24 hours after enabling this feature and then testing again to see whether Outlook is able to restore previously opened items. Also, do not select "Remember my decision", as this allows Outlook to continue displaying the prompt to reopen items from your previous session, giving you the opportunity to restore previously opened email windows when the prompt appears.

    User's image

    If the behavior remains unchanged, it is possible that you are experiencing a similar situation to other Outlook users, where previously opened items are not always restored after an unexpected restart or crash, even when the Reopen items feature is enabled. You can review a related discussion on the Feedback Hub here:

    When Outlook crashing, previous session emails do not re open.

    Consider upvoting the feedback and sharing your experience there, as additional feedback can help increase visibility with the product team.

    I hope this information is helpful. Let me know if you have any questions.

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