Set Outlook on Windows to Empty Deleted Items on Exit


Setting Outlook to empty your Deleted Items folder helps avoid using too much of your "cloud" storage space and may help with performance issues.
Note: This is only available in Outlook on Windows.

Items that are removed from the Deleted Items folder can typically be recovered if needed, as long as it was not over 30 days old or was an entire folder that was deleted.

  1. With Outlook open, select the File tab in the upper left, then Options from the list in the left.
  2. In the next window select Advanced from the list in the left.
  3. Look for the Outlook start and exit heading, and check the option to Empty Deleted Items folders when exiting Outlook.
    Outlook Advanced Options - Empty Deleted Items when exiting
  4. Click the OK button to exit Outlook Options and save your changes.