Windows 7: Inbox Accidentally Deleted in Windows Live Mail 2011

Whilst deleting messages in my Inbox using the Shift Delete Keys (to delete permanently), a progress bar appeared for a couple of seconds saying "Deleting" ... Immediately after this, the Inbox and its related folders had disappeared.
It is now impossible to send or receive emails on that computer.
Is there any way of restoring the Inbox WITHOUT reinstalling ... which apparently would involve losing all existing messages permanently ?

What email program are you using?

Post title says WLM 2011

The only thing I can think of is a restore point before you made the changes.
System Restore
Because your WLM comes from a cloud the changes were probably only on your computer.

Tried "Restore Point" : made no difference.
We are not aware of WLM being on "the cloud" ; how do we find out ?

Your email is kept by Microsoft on a off site computer. Their computer some where in the world. When you receive your email it is downloaded from their computer to yours. That is a cloud. Very basic answer.
Are you saying that you went to a restore point before you deleted anything and it doesn't help or you can't get a restore point to work.

Try this; In your IE search bar type "Outlook.com" (without the quotes) and use your MSN Passport to login. You should see your Hotmail account there.

Post back your results.

Yes, we found a restore point AFTER the disaster, but it changed nothing. Regarding Outlook.com, we'll try that later today and will let you know. Keep coming up with ideas ... my wife is not pleased!

first even if you uninsatll the program and reinstall, you will still see everything there once you reinstall it. I have done this many times. Seems it keeps it in the registry.
But to be safe you need to back up Windows Live mail first and for pictures and a good site to go to, take a look at this. I suggest you print it out also How to Backup Windows Live Mail 2011 (this works for 2012 also)

Once you have backed it up. (Make a folder first in My Documents and call it Windows Live Backup) Aim the the backup to this folder (even though you are missing the In box), uninstall the program and reinstall it. Make sure you uninstall the right version. If you have 2011 then reinstall 2011, if you have 2012 reinstall 2012.
See if it brought back the In Box. You might have to make the hotmail/live /msn account account again and sign in. You might not have to put the backup on because I believe you will see all your folders again with all the emails in it, once you sign in.

attached is a word document on how to do this, I tried to copy and paste it in but it would not work. I converted it to an Office 2003 Document for those who do not have 2007 or 2010
Brink if you see this and want to put it in the tutorial section, I would be fine with that also
robin