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User Case: How to Delete All Emails on Outlook?

 

How to DELETE/TRASH all emails from my Outlook email INBOX all at once

How to clean out my Outlook email inbox

Of over 500 emails all at once?

- Question from Microsoft Community

 

How do I delete 1000's of email messages in Outlook? The way I am doing it has taken an hour, and I deleted about 10,000 so far. I wanna put in who they are from in a search field, and hit a key, and they are gone! Please help!

- Question from Quora

Got way too many emails clogging your inbox? You're not alone. Whether you’re decluttering or just hitting the reset button, learning how to delete all emails on Outlook can be a total game-changer.

Let’s walk you through the exact steps — no fluff, no tech jargon, just simple, practical advice you can follow right now.

Why You Might Want to Delete All Emails on Outlook

Why?
Why?

Let’s be real — inbox overload is stressful. Here’s why mass deletion might be the right move.

Overwhelming Inbox

Ever opened Outlook and immediately closed it again because the email count gave you anxiety? Yeah, we’ve all been there. Sometimes, starting fresh is the best fix.

Running Out of Storage

Outlook (especially if you’re using it with a free Microsoft account) has storage limits. Once you’re out of space, incoming emails bounce. Not ideal, right?

Starting Fresh

Moving jobs? Shifting to a new email system? Wiping your mailbox clean gives you a clean slate to work with — no baggage, no spam.

Understanding How Outlook Stores Emails

Before diving in with the delete button, it helps to understand where Outlook keeps all your emails.

Outlook Desktop vs. Web Version

Outlook comes in many flavors: desktop app (for Windows and Mac), web app (OWA), and the mobile app. Each version handles bulk actions a bit differently.

Folder Structure: Inbox, Spam, Archive, and More

Outlook doesn’t just dump all your emails into the inbox. You’ve also got folders like Sent, Drafts, Spam, Trash, and Archive — each requiring its own cleanup.

How to Delete All Emails on Outlook

Alright, let’s get to the juicy part: the how-to.

Method 1: Delete All Emails in Outlook Desktop

If you're using the Outlook desktop app, you're in luck — it's pretty straightforward.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Windows Users

1. Open Outlook.

2. Click on the folder (e.g., Inbox) you want to clear.

3. Hit the checkmark at the top to select all messages.

4. Hit the trash bin icon.

Delete All Emails in Outlook Desktop
Delete All Emails in Outlook Desktop

5. Go to Deleted Items, right-click, and choose Empty Folder to permanently remove them.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Mac Users

1. Launch the Outlook app.

2. Select the folder you want to empty.

3. Use Command + A to highlight all emails.

4. Press Delete.

5. Empty the Trash to remove them permanently.

>> Look here if you cannot delete emails from Outlook.

Method 2: Delete All Emails in Outlook Web App

1. Sign in at Outlook.live.com.

2. Click on a folder like Inbox or Sent Items.

3. Select the folder you want to empty.

4. Click Delete.

Delete All Emails in Outlook Web App
Delete All Emails in Outlook Web App

5. Go to Deleted Items, select all again, and hit Empty Folder to finish the job.

Empty Folder
Empty Folder

Method 3: Use Outlook Mobile App to Delete All Emails

Outlook’s mobile app doesn’t have a “select all” option, unfortunately. But here’s a workaround:

1. Tap and hold to select one message.

2. Tap other messages to select more (tedious, but it works).

3. Tap the trash icon.

Use Outlook Mobile App to Delete All Emails
Use Outlook Mobile App to Delete All Emails

4. Clear out the trash folder to finish the process.

Method 4: Delete All Emails on Outlook via MultCloud

Looking for a cloud-based solution to manage multiple accounts and services in one place? That’s where MultCloud comes in — it’s hands down the best way to move, manage, or delete emails in bulk across cloud platforms, including Outlook.

1. Create a free account at MultCloud.com.

2. Once logged in, add your Outlook account by choosing Outlook from the list of cloud services and authorizing access.

Add Outlook
Add Outlook

3. Select your Outlook inbox or folders. Then, select all messages.

4. Hit Delete to remove all selected emails in one go.

Delete All Emails on Outlook via MultCloud
Delete All Emails on Outlook via MultCloud

MultCloud offers more control, especially if you’re managing several Outlook accounts or need to integrate with other services like Gmail, Dropbox, or Google Drive. It’s perfect for users who want cloud-based email management without manually logging into each account.

How to Delete All Emails in Specific Folders

Maybe you don’t want to go nuclear on your whole mailbox — just clean up certain spots.

Clear Inbox Only

Just head to the Inbox, press Ctrl/Command + A, and delete.

Empty Spam and Trash Automatically

Go into Settings > Mail > Junk Email or Trash, and turn on automatic clearing options. You can set a schedule to delete emails older than 30 days.

How to Delete All Emails from a Specific Sender

Want to target a spammy sender?

1. Type their email in the search bar.

2. Select all results using the checkbox.

3. Hit Delete.

Delete All Emails from a Specific Sender
Delete All Emails from a Specific Sender

Bonus tip: Create a rule to auto-delete future emails from that sender.

Tips to Prevent Email Overload in the Future

Prevention is better than cure. Here’s how to stay ahead of the clutter.

Unsubscribe from Newsletters

That newsletter you haven’t read in 6 months? Time to let it go. Use tools like Unroll.Me or do it manually at the bottom of emails.

Use Email Rules and Filters

Set up automatic sorting. For instance, filter promotions or updates into separate folders, so your primary inbox stays clean.

Archive Instead of Delete

Not sure if you’ll need that email someday? Archiving is a great middle-ground between hoarding and deleting.

What Happens After Deleting All Emails?

Before you go on a deletion spree, let’s talk consequences.

Can You Recover Them?

Yes — but only if they’re still in the Deleted Items folder. Once that’s emptied, they’re gone unless you have backups.

Where Do Deleted Emails Go?

They move to the Deleted Items or Trash folder first. If you empty that, they’re permanently deleted from your account.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

Sometimes Outlook plays hardball. Here’s how to deal.

Outlook Freezes When Deleting Too Many Emails

Try deleting in smaller batches. Outlook can get overwhelmed if you select 10,000+ emails at once.

Deleted Emails Keep Coming Back

This can be a syncing issue. Make sure you're online, and your account is properly syncing with the server.

Conclusion

There you have it — a complete, step-by-step guide on how to delete all emails on Outlook without pulling your hair out. Whether you want a clean inbox or a total reset, you now know exactly how to do it across all devices and versions. Inbox zero, here we come!

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