---
name: "unexpunge"
section: "8"
platform: "linux"
package: "cyrus-common-2.4"
version: "2.4.16-4+deb7u2"
release: "Debian 7 (Wheezy)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/unexpunge"
---

# unexpunge(8)

restore expunged (but yet unremoved) messages

 \*

## NAME

unexpunge - restore expunged (but yet unremoved) messages

## SYNOPSIS

**unexpunge** \[ **-C** *config-file* \] **-l** *mailbox*\
 **unexpunge** \[ **-C** *config-file* \] **-t time-interval** \[ **-d** \] \[ **-v** \] *mailbox*\
 **unexpunge** \[ **-C** *config-file* \] **-a** \[ **-d** \] \[ **-v** \] *mailbox*\
 **unexpunge** \[ **-C** *config-file* \] **-u** \[ **-d** \] \[ **-v** \] *mailbox uid*...

## DESCRIPTION

*Unexpunge* is used to restore expunged messages which have yet to be removed from the Cyrus mailspool.  This utility is only useful when the server is configured to use **delayed** expunge.

*Unexpunge* reads its configuration options out of the [*imapd.conf*(5)](/imapd.conf/5.md) file unless specified otherwise by **-C**.

## OPTIONS

- **-C** *config-file*

  Read configuration options from *config-file*.

- **-l**

  List the expunged messages in the specified mailbox which are available for restoration.

- **-t** *time-interval*

  Unexpunge messages which were expunged in the last time-interval seconds. (modifiers: m: minutes, h: hours, d: days, w: weeks).

- **-a**

  Restore **all** of the expunged messages in the specified mailbox.

- **-u**

  Restore only those messages having the specified UIDs in the specified mailbox.

- **-d**

  Unset the *\\Deleted* flag on any restored messages.

- **-v**

  Enable verbose output/logging.

## FILES

- **/etc/imapd.conf**

  ## SEE ALSO

**[imapd.conf(5)](/imapd.conf/5.md)**