Fix Default Folders missing in Outlook and Outlook on the Web

Fix Default Folders missing in Outlook and Outlook on the Web Default Folders (Inbox, Sent Items, etc.) are missing, this post will help you restore the missing folders and resolve the issue.

Default Folders missing in Outlook and Outlook on the Web

Some Default Outlook Folders (eg, Inbox) are missing in Outlook on Windows 11/10 or Outlook on the Web. Here are some solutions that might help.

Related Post: How to create a new Style Set in Outlook

  1. Run Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant tool
  2. Create Outlook.com email alias
  3. Repair/Reset/Reinstall Outlook client
  4. Change PR_ATTR_HIDDEN and PR_ATTR_SYSTEM value
  5. Perform System Restore
  6. Set up and use Mail app

TheLet’s take a close look at how each of the listed solutions works.

Outlook folders or subfolders disappeared

Before you apply the solutions below, you can update Microsoft Office manually on your device. We recommend you ensure Office Automatic Updates is enabled and you turn on Receive updates for other Microsoft products in Windows Update.

1] Run Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant tool

If your Default Folders are missing in Outlook or Outlook on the Web, you can fix the issue by running the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant tool.If you’re having trouble with your Default Folders in Outlook or Outlook on the Web, you can run the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant tool to fix the issue. The SaRA tool is a command-line version of the tool that’s also available.

The tool can help you with Outlook if:

  • Email in Outlook not syncingEmail in Outlook not syncing
  • Outlook not startIf Outlook isn’t opening or working properly, there are a few steps you can take to try and fix the issue.
  • Can’t set up Office 365 email in Outlook
  • Every time I open Outlook, it asks me for my password.
  • Outlook is having trouble connecting or staying connected.
  • Shared mailboxes and shared calendars are not supported.
  • There are some issues with the Calendar.
  • Outlook isn’t responding, keeps crashing or has stopped working.
  • Outlook can’t send, receive, or find the email.

2] Create Outlook.com email alias

This is a workaround more than a solution. Before you try this workaround, first sign out of Outlook on the Web, and then sign back in and see if the missing default folders are restored. If not, you can create an Outlook.com email alias. An email alias is very useful if you do not want to give out your main email ID to someone. You can use different email IDs for different things easily.

3] Repair/Reset/Reinstall Outlook client

This solution requires you to Repair/Reset/Reinstall Outlook client in that order and see if that helps. To fix Microsoft Outlook on your Windows 11/10 PC, do the following:

  • Open Control Panel.
  • Click Programs and Features.
  • Right-click the program icon, and select Change. In the “Change your product key” window that appears, enter
  • your product key and click Next. Follow the prompts to complete the repair process.
  • Click Continue > Repair to start repairing the apps.
  • After the repair operation completes, restart your PC.

You can also repair Office Outlook via the Settings app on Windows 11/10. Here’s how:

  • Open Settings for Windows 11 or Windows 10
  • Choose Apps and Features from the menu.
  • Find your Microsoft Office installation.
  • Click on the entry and click on Modify.
  • Choose Quick Repair or Online Repair from the popup dialog.
  • Click on the Repair button.

If the repair operation didn’t help, you can reset Outlook and check if the issue is resolved. Otherwise, you can uninstall Office and then reinstall Office suite on your system.

4] Change PR_ATTR_HIDDEN and PR_ATTR_SYSTEM value

The issue can occur if the PR_ATTR_HIDDEN or the PR_ATTR_SYSTEM property of the affected folder is set to True. In order to change the PR_ATTR_HIDDEN and PR_ATTR_SYSTEM values of the missing folder, you will need to do the following:

  • Download the MFCMAPI tool.
  • Unzip the archive package.
  • Launch mfcmapi.exe.
  • Click on the OK button on the intro screen.
  • The tab labeled “Session” on the menu bar is the next thing you should click.
  • Select Logon.
  • Select Outlook profile for mailbox.
  • Select OK.
  • To access a mailbox, double-click the email address that represents it.
  • In the pane on the left, use the steps below that correspond to the type of Outlook profile you’re using to
  • navigate to the affected folder.

If Cached Mode, navigate to the following:

Root – Mailbox > IPM_SUBTREE

If Online Mode, navigate to the following:

Root Container > Top of information Store

  • On the left navigation pane, locate and select the folder that appears missing in Outlook.
  • Now, right pane check PR_ATTR_HIDDEN and/or PR_ATTR_SYSTEM values to determine if set to True.
  • To edit a hidden or system property, right-click it and select Edit Property.
  • Uncheck the Boolean option.
  • Click OK.
  • Close all MFCMAPI windows.
  • Restart Outlook.

5] Perform System Restore

Another possible solution you can try if Outlook isn’t working on your Windows 11/10 computer is to do a System Restore. This is assuming that all the default folders were present at an earlier time. It’s possible that your system has changed in ways you’re not aware of, or that weren’t initiated by the user. If you don’t know what might have broken Outlook’s functionality, doing a System Restore (which will erase any changes made after the restore point) is worth exploring.

6] Set up and use Mail app

This solution requires you to set up and use the Mail app on your device. Alternatively, you can opt for any of the best free Email Clients for Windows 11/10 PC.

You can configure Outlook to get WARNED before moving or deleting folders. You can also open Journal folders, empty the Junk Email Folder, create a Search Folder, copy Outlook email folders to your Windows 10 or Windows 11 desktop, and change the default Outlook Startup folder.

Why are some of my folders not showing in Outlook?

Some of the reasons for missing Outlook Folders include; some of your Outlook folders are hidden. A folder was inadvertently deleted. Outlook isn’t syncing with the server. The personal folder file is damaged.

How do I restore the default folder in Outlook?

To reset or restore Outlook folder names or language, do the following:

  • Open Command Prompt.
  • Type c: and hit Enter to make sure you are on the C drive.
  • Next copy and paste the command cd “\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE16” and hit Enter.
  • Next, type in the command outlook /resetfoldernames and hit Enter.
  • Restart Outlook. The folder names are now reset.

Why can’t I see my folders in Outlook Web App?

If you cannot see your Outlook folders in Outlook Web App, follow these steps:Go to Outlook on the web.
To view your mail folders, click on the ‘arrow’ next to “Folders” to expand your folder listing.
You should now see all of your folders listed in the left-hand column.

How do I find a folder in Outlook that has disappeared?

In the email window, use Advanced Find (Ctrl+Shift+F) to open the dialog box. Click Browse to open a pop-up window of your folder structure. Find and select the ‘hidden’ folder.

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