Right-click the folder and select Delete

To delete a folder in Outlook, right-click on the folder name in the left sidebar and choose Delete Folder from the menu that appears. Outlook will move the folder to your Deleted Items folder. If you want to permanently remove it, go to Deleted Items, right-click the folder again, and select Delete a second time.

The process is the same whether you use Outlook on Windows, Mac, or the web version. The folder disappears from your sidebar when ready after the first deletion, though it stays recoverable for a while in Deleted Items.

If you cannot see the folder you want to delete, it may be nested inside another folder. Click the arrow or triangle next to the parent folder to expand it and see what is inside.

Key Takeaways

  • Right-click any folder in the left sidebar and select Delete Folder to move it to Deleted Items.
  • Folders in Deleted Items can be recovered by right-clicking and selecting Restore, so deletion is not permanent at first.
  • Permanently deleting a folder requires a second deletion from the Deleted Items folder itself.
  • Nested folders (folders inside other folders) must be expanded first to become visible and deletable.
  • Empty a folder before deleting it if you want to keep the messages inside — deletion removes both the folder and everything in it.

What happens to the messages inside a deleted folder

When you delete a folder, all the messages in that folder are deleted with it. Outlook does not separate the folder from its contents. If you have messages you want to keep, move them to a different folder before you delete the one they are in.

To move messages, select them (click one, then hold Ctrl and click others to select multiple), then drag them to the folder where you want them to go. Or right-click the selected messages and choose Move, then pick the destination folder from the list.

How to recover a deleted folder

If you delete a folder by mistake, you have a window to undo it. Open your Deleted Items folder in the left sidebar. Look for the folder you just deleted — it will be listed there along with individual deleted messages.

Right-click the folder and select Restore. Outlook will move it back to its original location in your sidebar. This works as long as you have not yet permanently deleted it (the second deletion step). Once you delete it from Deleted Items, recovery becomes much harder or impossible depending on your Outlook setup.

Differences between deleting and archiving

Deleting a folder removes it from your active mailbox. Archiving is different — it moves old messages to a separate storage area you can still search but do not see in your regular folder list. If you want to keep messages but clean up your sidebar, archiving is often better than deleting.

To archive instead of delete, right-click the folder and look for an Archive option (available in some Outlook versions). Archived folders move to an Archive section at the bottom of your sidebar. You can still search them and restore them if needed, but they do not clutter your active folder view.

Deleting shared or subscribed folders

If a folder is shared with you by someone else, or if you subscribed to a shared folder, the delete option may not appear or may work differently. Shared folders often belong to another person's mailbox, and you may only be able to unsubscribe rather than delete.

Right-click a shared folder and look for Unsubscribe instead of Delete. This removes it from your view without affecting the folder itself or the person who owns it. If you see no delete or unsubscribe option, you likely do not have permission to remove it, and you should ask the folder owner to remove your access.

Cleaning up empty folders you no longer use

Over time, you may create folders for projects or topics that are now finished. These empty folders clutter your sidebar and make it harder to find the folders you actually use. Deleting them keeps your sidebar organized.

Before you delete, make sure the folder is truly empty. Click on it once to select it and check the message count at the bottom of the window. If it shows zero messages, it is safe to delete. If it shows a number, move those messages elsewhere first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I undo a deletion if I already emptied my Deleted Items folder?

Once you empty Deleted Items, recovery becomes very difficult. Some Outlook setups allow IT support to restore from a backup, but this is not may provide. The safest approach is to check Deleted Items before you empty it and restore anything you might need.

What if the Delete option does not appear when I right-click a folder?

This usually means the folder is a system folder (like Inbox or Sent Items) that Outlook does not allow you to delete, or it is a shared folder you do not own. System folders cannot be removed. For shared folders, ask the owner to revoke your access or unsubscribe instead.

Does deleting a folder free up storage space in my email account?

Not when ready. The folder moves to Deleted Items and still counts against your storage limit. You must empty Deleted Items to actually free up space. Right-click Deleted Items and select Empty Folder to permanently remove everything in it.

Can I delete multiple folders at once?

You can select multiple folders by holding Ctrl and clicking each one, then right-click and delete them together. However, this is riskier because you cannot undo multiple deletions as easily. Deleting one folder at a time is safer if you are unsure.

What is the difference between deleting a folder in Outlook and deleting it from my computer?

Outlook folders exist only in your email account, not on your computer's hard drive. Deleting an Outlook folder removes it from your mailbox. This is different from deleting a file folder on your desktop, which removes it from your computer. The two are separate systems.