Vista - Emails from Inbox disappeared

I was reading my emails when I had to leave the computer for a few minutes. When I came back ALL the emails from my Inbox were gone. No one touched my computer. The 'Show all msgs' is selected. I only have one POP3 account. I did not have the box checked to leave copies on the server, but I do now.

Does anyone know why this happened? Where my emails went? How can I prevent this from happening again? I've lost some very important messages, photos, etc.

I would appreicate any insight into this problem. I am using Vista Home Premiuem, Windows Mail. This is the first time I've had a problem with Vista or Windows Mail. I've seen where others have had this or a simular problem, but not any real answers.

Thanks.

Hello Kadie, and welcome to Vista Forums.

Double check to make sure that you have the Show all messages selected for the Inbox folder. It is a per folder type setting.

You might check your other folders (ex: Junk) in Windows Mail to see if they may been filtered to there.

If you have a antivirus program that has a email scanning and filtering option, then you might check it to see if it filtered your email with it thinking the email was some form of spam or junk.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Thanks, Brink. I have already checked and rechecked everywhere they could possibly be. In every folder, any where I could think of. I did check my anti-virus, but nothing there either. It seems Windows Mail has a problem and it also seems that maybe Microsoft hasn't gotten around to finding out why or fixing it. The maker of my computer suggested contacting Microsoft, but they want to charge $60 to tell me there's something wrong with their program and probably not have an answer for it.
Other than this problem, I really like Vista since I got my new computer.
I did notice that it appears that none of the emails I had in other folders were 'deleted'.

Does this happen often? I mean repeatedly? Should I expect it again? I am really confused by this thing. Does it just effect the Inbox? Will my other folders be ok or do I need to move the emails that matter to another program?

Thanks for your help.

I would go ahead and use another program to be safe. The free Windows Live Mail program is a lot more stable and better IMO. You might give it a try to see how you like it.

It supports Pop3, IMAP, HTTP website (EX: Hotmail) email, and is a lot more stable. Plus, WLM will minimize to a tray bar icon, checks spelling as you type messages, and has a separate Inbox for each email account. WLM will automatically import Windows Mail messages, accounts, and settings into it. Contacts will have to be manually imported from within WLM. (Tools, Contacts, File, Import, Address book for current Windows User.) To see the Menu bar, press ALT+M and check "Show all menus".

OK I'll try WLM. Where do I get it? Download from the Microsoft website?

You can get the download link and more information for it here:

Windows Live Suite Downloads

Help, again. I've downloaded Windows Live Mail. Do I have to use Hotmail for my Inbox? If not, what is the best Inbox program to use? Is there one that works like windows Mail and Outlook Express? The 'Help' doesn't seem to address this issue. At least I'm not asking the right questions? Does WLM act like any other online email program? I really do like Windows Mail/Outlook Express better than any other I've tried, but maybe I just haven't tried the right ones.

Yes, I'm confused as you can tell. Any advice will be greatly appericated!

Kadie,

Windows Live Mail (WLM) acts and runs like Windows Mail does from your computer. If WLM did not import you existing email account from Windows Mail, then you will need to setup a email account in it just like in Windows Mail.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

It keeps telling me my Inbox is not set up and directing me to Hotmail. Do I have to use Hotmail or what? How do I set up an Inbox when it keeps pushing Hotmail?

No you do not have to use Hotmail with WLM, it's purely optional. Just cancel that.

In WLM, click on Tools, accounts, and Add to add your POP3 account.

Hope this helps,
Shawn