Delete all email messages in Outlook

Delete all email from a folder

1. Make sure that the Folder pane is expanded. To expand the Folder pane, select the arrow at the top left of the pane.

   

2. In the Folder pane, right-click the folder that you want to empty, and then select Delete All.

3. When you're prompted to move everything to the Deleted Items folder, select Yes.

   

4. All the selected items are now in the Deleted Items folder. See Empty the Deleted Items folder to permanently delete them.

   Note: If you're trying to free up space in your mailbox, you need to empty the Deleted Items folder before you can reclaim that space.

Delete multiple emails

You can quickly delete multiple emails from a folder and still keep your unread or important emails for later.

1. To select and delete consecutive emails, in the message list, select the first email, press and hold the Shift key, select the last email, and then press the Delete key.

2. To select and delete nonconsecutive emails, select the first email, press and hold the Ctrl key, select each email that you want to delete, and then press the Delete key.

Delete all email in all folders

The only way to delete all email in all folders is to right-click each folder in your folder list, select Delete All, and move the items to the Deleted Itemsfolder.

Empty the Deleted Items folder

The items that you delete are moved to the Deleted Items folder, but those items aren't permanently deleted until that folder is emptied. You can manually empty the folder any time.

1. In the Folder pane, right-click the Deleted Items folder, and then select Empty Folder.

2. You'll be prompted to confirm that you want to permanently delete the items. Select Yes.

   

   ​​​​​​​

See Also

Recover deleted items in Outlook

Manage suggested recipients in the To, Cc, and Bcc fields in Outlook

Remove or delete an email account from classic Outlook for Windows