To delete all emails in Outlook, select them using the search bar or Shift/Control keys, then click Delete. This removes messages from your inbox, Sent Items, and other folders.
Outlook doesn't have a single "Delete All" button. Instead, you must select emails manually before deleting them. The process varies slightly between Outlook.com and the desktop app.
Outlook offers several methods for bulk deletion:
Many users confuse Outlook's "Delete" and "Archive" functions. Deleting moves emails to the Deleted Items folder, while archiving stores them in the Archive folder. Unlike Gmail, Outlook doesn't permanently delete emails until you empty the Deleted Items folder.
Another mistake is forgetting to check other folders. Emails exist in Sent Items, Drafts, and custom folders too. To truly clear your Outlook account, you must delete from each folder individually.
Users typically bulk delete emails to:
According to Microsoft, the average Outlook user receives 121 emails per day. Over time, these accumulate, creating clutter and making it harder to find important messages.
Instead of deleting, consider archiving important emails. Archiving moves them to the Archive folder but keeps them searchable. This preserves your email history while keeping your inbox clean.