How to restore archived information in Outlook?

Author: Siluvia Last Modified: 2025-04-17

The archived Outlook items were moved from Outlook folder to the archive folder automatically when you set the archive function. Actually, you can restore archived items information back to the original folder or a new folder again. With this article, you will learn how to restore archived information in Outlook in details.

Restore archived information in Outlook

Restore archived information in Outlook

For restore archived information, please do as follows.

1. Click "File" > "Open" > "Import" in Outlook 2010;

In Outlook 2013, click "File" > "Open & Export" > "Import/Export".

the screenshot of restoring archived information in Outlook 1

In Outlook 2007, click "File" > "Import and Export".

the screenshot of restoring archived information in Outlook 2

2. In the "Import and Export Wizard", select "Import from another program or file", and click the "Next" button.

the screenshot of restoring archived information in Outlook 3

3. In the "Import a File" dialog box, select "Outlook Data File (.pst)" in the "Select file type to import from" box, and click the "Next" button.

the screenshot of restoring archived information in Outlook 4

Note: In Outlook 2007, select "Personal Folder File (.pst)" in the "Select file type to import from" box, and then click "Next".

the screenshot of restoring archived information in Outlook 5

4. In the "Import Outlook Data File" dialog box, click the "Browse" button.

the screenshot of restoring archived information in Outlook 6

5. In the "Open Outlook Data Files" dialog box, the "Outlook Files" folder is opened by default. Select the archive file to restore, and click "Open".

the screenshot of restoring archived information in Outlook 7

Note: If the "Outlook Files" folder is not opened automatically, locate and open it manually.

6. Back in the "Import Outlook Data File" dialog box, choose an option under "Options" as needed, and click "Next".

the screenshot of restoring archived information in Outlook 8

Note: If the "Archive" folder is already showing in the Navigation Pane, a prompt will appear after clicking "Next". Click "OK", cancel the importing process, right-click the archive folder in Navigation Pane and choose "Close Archive", then restart the importing from step 1.

the screenshot of restoring archived information in Outlook 9

the screenshot of restoring archived information in Outlook 10

7. In the next "Import Outlook Data File" dialog box:

Select the folder to restore from in the "Select the folder to import from" box.
To import into the current folder, check "Import items into the current folder".
To import into the same folder in an account, check "Import items into the same folder in", and select the target account from the drop-down.
Click "Finish".

the screenshot of restoring archived information in Outlook 11

Note: The "Include subfolders" option is optional based on your needs.

Once you click the "Finish" button, all items from the selected archive folder will be restored to the designated Outlook folder automatically.

Notes:

If there are multiple accounts in your Outlook and all are archiving, it may be difficult to identify which archive folder belongs to which account.
The final location of the restored folder depends on the import settings in step 7.