Why you might want to remove an email address from Outlook
You may want to remove an email address from Outlook if you no longer use that account, you are switching to a different email provider, or you want to clean up multiple accounts you have set up. Removing an address does not delete the account itself — it only disconnects it from Outlook on that device or in that web browser. The email account continues to exist with your provider (Gmail, Yahoo, your work domain, or whoever runs it).
The steps differ depending on whether you use Outlook on your computer, phone, or the web version at outlook.com. Each method takes a few minutes and does not affect your other email accounts or any messages you have already received.
Key Takeaways
- Removing an email address from Outlook disconnects it from the app or website, but does not delete the account with your email provider.
- On Windows or Mac, you remove an account through Settings, then select the account and choose the remove or delete option.
- On the Outlook website (outlook.com), you manage connected accounts in Settings under "Mail" and "Accounts".
- On your phone, the steps depend on whether you use the Outlook app or your phone's built-in mail app, and vary between iPhone and Android.
- After removing an address, you can add it back later using the same password or recovery information.
How to remove an email address from Outlook on Windows
Open Outlook on your computer and go to File in the top left corner. Select Account Settings, then Account Settings again from the dropdown menu. You will see a list of all email addresses connected to Outlook on this computer.
Click the email address you want to remove, then click the Remove button. Outlook will ask you to confirm — click Yes. The address is now disconnected from Outlook, though the account itself still exists with your email provider. You can close the window and return to your inbox.
How to remove an email address from Outlook on Mac
Open Outlook and click Outlook in the top menu bar, then select Preferences. Under Accounts, you will see all connected email addresses listed on the left side. Click the address you want to remove.
At the bottom of the window, click the minus sign (−) button. Outlook will ask for confirmation — click Remove. The account is now disconnected from Outlook on your Mac. If you use Outlook on another Mac or on your phone, that account will still be connected there unless you remove it separately.
How to remove an email address from Outlook.com (the web version)
Go to outlook.com and sign in. Click the gear icon in the top right corner and select View all Outlook settings. On the left side, click Mail, then Accounts.
Under "Connected accounts," you will see any additional email addresses you have linked to your Outlook account. Click the address you want to remove, then click Delete. Outlook will confirm the removal. The address is now disconnected from outlook.com, but the account with your original email provider remains active.
How to remove an email address from the Outlook app on your phone
On iPhone: Open the Outlook app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right. Tap Settings, then tap the email address you want to remove. Scroll down and tap Remove Account, then confirm by tapping Remove again.
On Android: Open the Outlook app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left. Tap Settings, then tap the email address you want to remove. Scroll down and tap Remove Account, then confirm. The address is now removed from the Outlook app on your phone but remains active with your email provider.
What happens to your emails after you remove an address
Removing an email address from Outlook does not delete any messages you have already received. Those emails remain stored with your email provider. If you add the address back to Outlook later, you will see those old messages again.
However, you will stop receiving new messages from that address in Outlook once you remove it. If you want to keep checking that email account, you will need to log into it directly through your email provider's website, or add it back to Outlook using the same password.
How to add the email address back to Outlook later
If you change your mind, you can reconnect the address to Outlook at any time. On your computer, go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings (Windows) or Outlook > Preferences > Accounts (Mac), then click New Account or the plus sign (+). Enter the email address and password, and Outlook will set it up again.
On the web at outlook.com, click the gear icon, go to Mail > Accounts, and click Add connected account. On your phone, open the Outlook app, tap the menu, go to Settings, and tap Add Account. You will need the password for the email address you are adding back.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does removing an email from Outlook delete the account?
No. Removing an address from Outlook only disconnects it from the app or website. The email account itself continues to exist with your provider (Gmail, Yahoo, your work domain, etc.). You can still access it by logging in directly to your provider's website.
Will I lose my old emails if I remove an address from Outlook?
No. Your emails remain stored with your email provider. If you add the address back to Outlook later, you will see all your old messages again. Removing it from Outlook just stops it from showing up in the app.
Can I remove an email address from Outlook on one device but keep it on another?
Yes. Removing an address from Outlook on your computer does not affect it on your phone or on outlook.com. You must remove it separately from each device or location where you want it gone.
What if I forget the password to the email address I want to remove?
You do not need the password to remove an address from Outlook. You can remove it when ready through Settings. If you want to add it back later, you will need the password or access to the recovery email or phone number associated with that account.
Can I remove my primary Outlook email address?
If you are using outlook.com as your main email, you cannot remove it from the web version — it is the account you are signed into. You can remove other addresses you have connected to it. If you want to stop using Outlook entirely, you would need to switch to a different email provider and update your contacts.