Search all of your folders (Outlook 2007) When you use Instant Search, the default option is to search only the folder you’re in. But you may not know where the message you are looking for is located. You may need to search all your folders, not just the one you’re currently in.
To search all folders:
1. On the Tools menu, point to Instant Search, and then click Search Options.
2. Under Instant Search Pane, click All folders.