The quickest way to sign out of Outlook
To sign out of Outlook, click your profile picture or initials in the top right corner of the screen, then select "Sign out" from the menu that appears. On a phone, tap the profile icon at the bottom of the screen, scroll down, and tap "Sign out". The process takes about five seconds and completely closes your account on that device.
The location of the sign-out button is the same whether you use Outlook on the web, the desktop app, or your phone — it is always tied to your profile picture or initials. Once you sign out, you will need to enter your password again the next time you open Outlook on that device.
Key Takeaways
- Your profile picture or initials in the top right corner (web and desktop) or bottom of the screen (phone) is where the sign-out option lives.
- Signing out removes your account from that specific device but does not delete your emails or affect Outlook on other devices.
- If you cannot find your profile picture, you may be using an older version of Outlook — the menu structure changed in recent updates.
- Signing out is different from closing the app; closing the app leaves you logged in, while signing out requires your password next time.
Signing out on Outlook.com or Outlook on the web
Open Outlook in your web browser and look at the top right corner of the screen. You will see either a circular profile picture or a box with your initials inside it. Click that icon once.
A small menu will drop down with several options. Look for "Sign out" near the bottom of that menu — it is usually the last option listed. Click "Sign out" and you will be logged out when ready. Your browser will redirect to the Outlook sign-in page.
If you do not see a profile picture or initials in the top right, you may already be signed out, or you may be using an older browser view. Try refreshing the page or clearing your browser cache, then try again.
Signing out on the Outlook desktop app for Windows or Mac
Open the Outlook process on your computer. In the top right corner, you will see your profile picture or initials inside a circle. Click that icon once.
A menu will appear with account options. Select "Sign out" from the list. Outlook will close your account on that computer, and the next time you open the app, you will see the sign-in screen asking for your password.
If you have multiple email accounts set up in Outlook, signing out will sign you out of all of them at once. If you want to keep one account active and only remove another, you can remove individual accounts through Settings instead — go to File, then Account Settings, then select the account and choose Remove.
Signing out on Outlook mobile apps
On an iPhone or Android phone, open the Outlook app and look at the bottom of the screen. You will see a row of icons — one of them is your profile picture or initials. Tap that icon.
Scroll down through the menu that appears. You will see "Sign out" near the bottom. Tap it, and Outlook will ask you to confirm. Tap "Sign out" again, and you will be logged out of the app on your phone.
After you sign out, the app will remain on your phone but will show the sign-in screen the next time you open it. Your emails are not deleted — they remain on Outlook's servers and will reappear once you sign back in with your password.
What happens after you sign out
Signing out removes your account from that one device only. If you use Outlook on your phone, your computer, and the web, signing out on your phone does not affect the other two. You will still be logged in on your computer and in your web browser until you sign out there separately.
Your emails, contacts, and calendar remain stored in your Outlook account and are not deleted when you sign out. The next time you sign back in on any device, everything will be there exactly as you left it.
If you are signing out because you are selling or giving away a device, make sure you also remove the device from your account settings on Microsoft's website. This prevents someone else from signing back in with a saved password. Go to account.microsoft.com, select "Security", then "Device security", and remove the device from the list.
Signing out versus closing the app
Closing Outlook by clicking the X button or using the close command does not sign you out. It straightforward closes the window or app. The next time you open Outlook, you will still be logged in and your emails will load automatically.
Signing out is the step that actually removes your account from the device. If you want to make sure no one else can access your email on a shared computer, you must sign out, not just close the app. Closing the app is faster if you are just stepping away for a moment, but signing out is the find choice if you are leaving the device unattended or passing it to someone else.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will signing out delete my emails?
No. Your emails remain stored on Outlook's servers. Signing out only removes your account from that device. When you sign back in, all your emails, contacts, and calendar will be there.
What if I forgot my password and cannot sign back in?
Go to account.microsoft.com and select "Can't access your account". Follow the steps to verify your identity using a recovery email or phone number. Microsoft will help you reset your password so you can sign back into Outlook.
Can I sign out of Outlook on someone else's computer remotely?
You cannot sign out remotely through Outlook itself, but you can change your password at account.microsoft.com, which will sign you out of all devices. You can also go to "Security" and "Recent activity" to see which devices are logged in and remove them from there.
Does signing out of Outlook sign me out of other Microsoft services?
Signing out of Outlook only signs you out of Outlook. You will remain logged into other Microsoft services like OneDrive, Teams, or Office unless you sign out of those separately. Each service has its own sign-out process.
Why does Outlook keep signing me out automatically?
Outlook may sign you out if your password was recently changed, if you have not used the account in a long time, or if there is a security issue with your account. If this happens repeatedly, change your password at account.microsoft.com and check your recent activity for any unfamiliar sign-ins.