Table of Contents

How to Delete an Outlook Email Account: A Definitive Guide

Deleting an Outlook email account is a straightforward process, but one that varies slightly depending on whether you’re using the Outlook desktop application, the Outlook web app, or the Outlook mobile app. It essentially involves removing the account from the specific device or application you’re using it on. The good news is, deleting the account from one location doesn’t automatically delete the entire email account itself – it simply disconnects that specific instance.

Deleting Your Outlook Email Account: A Step-by-Step Guide

Here’s how to remove an Outlook email account across different platforms:

Deleting an Account from the Outlook Desktop Application

This method applies to the desktop version of Outlook, which is part of the Microsoft Office suite.

Open Outlook: Launch the Outlook application on your computer.
Access Account Settings: Click on “File” in the top left corner of the screen. This opens the “Info” pane.
Go to Account Information: Under the “Info” pane, click on “Account Settings”. A drop-down menu will appear; click on “Account Settings…” again.
Select the Account: The “Account Settings” window will open. Under the “Email” tab, you’ll see a list of all your configured email accounts. Select the Outlook account you wish to remove.
Remove the Account: With the account selected, click the “Remove” button.
Confirmation: Outlook will likely display a warning message asking if you’re sure you want to remove the account. Confirm your decision by clicking “Yes”.
Close and Restart Outlook: After removing the account, close the “Account Settings” window and restart Outlook for the changes to take full effect.

Deleting an Account from the Outlook Web App (Outlook.com)

This method is for users accessing Outlook through a web browser. It primarily applies to the connected accounts feature, not your primary Microsoft account.

Login to Outlook.com: Open your web browser and go to www.outlook.com and sign in using your Microsoft account credentials.
Access Settings: Click on the “Settings” gear icon located in the top right corner of the screen.
View All Outlook Settings: At the bottom of the settings pane that appears, click on “View all Outlook settings”.
Navigate to Connected Accounts: In the “Settings” window, select “Mail” and then “Sync email”.
Manage Connected Accounts: Under “Manage your connected accounts”, you will see a list of email accounts you’ve connected to your Outlook.com account.
Remove the Connected Account: Locate the account you want to remove and click the “Delete” icon (usually a trash can) or the “Remove” button next to it.
Confirmation: A confirmation prompt will appear. Confirm your decision to remove the account.
Refresh the Page: Once removed, refresh the page to ensure the account is no longer listed.

Deleting an Account from the Outlook Mobile App (iOS or Android)

This method is for the Outlook mobile app on smartphones and tablets.

Open the Outlook App: Launch the Outlook app on your iOS or Android device.
Access Settings: Tap on your profile icon (usually your picture or initials) in the top left corner of the screen. This will open the sidebar menu.
Go to Settings: In the sidebar menu, tap on the “Settings” gear icon.
Select the Account: You’ll see a list of all your configured email accounts. Tap on the account you want to remove.
Delete Account: Scroll down in the account settings and tap on “Delete Account” or “Remove Account”.
Confirm Deletion: A confirmation prompt will appear asking if you’re sure you want to remove the account. Tap “Delete” or “Remove” to confirm.

Important Considerations Before Deleting

Before you proceed with deleting an Outlook account, keep these points in mind:

Data Loss: Removing an account from a device or app will delete the associated email, calendar, and contact data from that specific location. However, if your account is synchronized with the cloud (as most Outlook accounts are), the data will remain accessible through other devices or the web.
Backups: It’s always a good idea to back up any important data before removing an account. You can export your emails, contacts, and calendar events to a local file.
Account vs. Application: Remember that removing an account from Outlook is different from deleting your Microsoft account entirely. Removing the account only disconnects it from the application; your actual email address and associated services remain active.
Shared Resources: If the account you’re removing has shared calendars or contacts with other users, inform them beforehand. Removing the account might affect their access to those shared resources.
Administrator Privileges: In some corporate environments, you might not have the necessary permissions to remove an account. You may need to contact your IT administrator for assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Will deleting my Outlook account from the app delete my entire Microsoft account?

No, deleting the account from the Outlook app only removes it from that specific application. Your actual Microsoft account and associated services remain active and accessible via other means. You will have to take a separate, dedicated action to delete your entire Microsoft account.

2. What happens to my emails after I delete the account from Outlook?

After deleting the account from Outlook, the emails stored locally on that device will be removed. However, if your emails are synchronized with the cloud, they will remain accessible through other devices or the web.

3. Can I add the account back to Outlook after deleting it?

Yes, you can re-add the account to Outlook at any time. You’ll need your email address and password, as well as any necessary server settings if it’s not a standard Outlook account.

4. Is it possible to delete an account without administrator privileges?

In most cases, yes, you can delete an account from Outlook without administrator privileges, provided it’s your personal account. However, in some corporate environments, administrator privileges may be required.

5. How do I back up my emails before deleting an Outlook account?

You can back up your emails by exporting them to a PST file. In the Outlook desktop application, go to “File” -> “Open & Export” -> “Import/Export” and follow the wizard to export your mailbox to a PST file.

6. What’s the difference between removing and disabling an account?

Removing an account completely disconnects it from the application, deleting locally stored data. Disabling an account, on the other hand, might temporarily prevent access without deleting the data. Disabling is usually a feature managed by an administrator.

7. How do I delete a profile in Outlook?

A profile in Outlook contains a collection of account settings. To delete a profile, go to “File” -> “Account Settings” -> “Change Profile”. This will close Outlook and open the “Choose Profile” dialog. Click “Options” and then “Delete” the profile. Be cautious, as this will remove all accounts associated with that profile.

8. Can I delete an account from the Outlook mobile app and still access it on my computer?

Yes, deleting an account from the Outlook mobile app only removes it from the app on your phone. It will not affect your access to the account on your computer or through the web.

9. What should I do if I can’t find the “Remove” button in Account Settings?

If you can’t find the “Remove” button, it could be due to several reasons. Ensure you’ve selected the correct account. Also, verify that you have the necessary permissions to remove the account. If it’s a managed corporate account, contact your IT administrator. In rare cases, you might need to repair your Outlook installation.

10. How long does it take for the account to be completely removed after deleting it from Outlook?

The removal process is usually instantaneous. However, it may take a few minutes for the changes to synchronize across all your devices and for the account to disappear completely from the application. Restarting Outlook can often speed up the process.

11. Will deleting the account remove my contacts and calendar events?

Deleting the account will remove contacts and calendar events that are stored locally on the device. However, if your contacts and calendar are synchronized with the cloud (like with Exchange or Outlook.com accounts), they will remain accessible through other devices and the web.

12. Is it possible to delete multiple Outlook accounts at once?

Unfortunately, Outlook does not offer a direct way to delete multiple accounts simultaneously. You’ll need to remove each account individually, following the steps outlined above.