Deleting an Outlook email account removes it from your device, but doesn't close your Microsoft account

When you delete an Outlook email account from your computer or phone, you're removing access to that account on that specific device — you're not closing the account itself or deleting your emails from Microsoft's servers. The account still exists, and you can add it back to another device later using the same password. If you want to permanently close your Microsoft account and lose access to Outlook, OneDrive, and other Microsoft services tied to it, that's a separate, irreversible step.

Most people delete an Outlook account from a device because they're switching to a different email provider, selling the device, or cleaning up multiple accounts. Before you start, decide which outcome you actually want: removing the account from this device only, or permanently closing the account everywhere.

Key Takeaways

  • Deleting Outlook from your device removes access there but leaves your account and emails intact on Microsoft's servers.
  • On Windows, go to Settings > Accounts > Email & accounts, select the account, and click Remove; on Mac, open Mail > Preferences > Accounts, select the account, and click the minus button.
  • On iPhone or Android, open Outlook, go to Settings > Accounts, select the account, and choose Remove Account.
  • Permanently closing your Microsoft account is irreversible and will delete all associated services including OneDrive, Skype, and Xbox Live.
  • If you're selling or giving away your device, remove the account and sign out of all Microsoft services before handing it over.

Removing Outlook from Windows

On Windows 10 and 11, Outlook is often built into the Mail app or you're using the Outlook desktop application. The steps differ slightly depending on which one you have.

If you use the Mail app: Open Settings, then go to Accounts > Email & accounts. You'll see a list of all email accounts connected to your device. Click the Outlook account you want to remove, then click Remove. Windows will ask you to confirm — click Remove again. The account disappears from Mail, but your emails remain on Microsoft's servers and you can add the account back later.

If you use the Outlook desktop application: Open Outlook, go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings. Find the account in the list, click it once to select it, then click Remove. Outlook will ask you to confirm. After you confirm, the account is gone from Outlook on this computer, but the account itself still exists.

Removing Outlook from Mac

On Mac, Outlook is usually accessed through the Mail app or the standalone Outlook application. Both require slightly different steps.

If you use Mail: Open Mail, then go to Mail > Preferences (or Mail > Settings on newer versions). Click the Accounts tab. Select the Outlook account from the list on the left, then click the minus button at the bottom. Mail will ask you to confirm the removal. Click Remove. The account is now gone from Mail, but your emails and account remain on Microsoft's servers.

If you use the Outlook desktop application for Mac: Open Outlook, click Outlook in the menu bar, then select Preferences. Click Accounts, select the Outlook account, then click the minus button. Confirm the removal. The account is removed from Outlook on this Mac.

Removing Outlook from iPhone or Android

The Outlook mobile app works the same way on both iPhone and Android. Open the Outlook app, tap the Settings icon (usually a gear or three horizontal lines), then tap Accounts. Find the account you want to remove and tap it. Look for a Remove Account or Delete Account option — the exact wording varies by app version. Tap it and confirm. The account is removed from your phone, but your emails stay on Microsoft's servers.

If you use the built-in Mail app on iPhone instead of the Outlook app: Go to Settings > Mail > Accounts, tap the Outlook account, then tap Delete Account. Confirm the deletion. On Android, the built-in Gmail app doesn't typically manage Outlook accounts — you'd use the Outlook app instead.

What happens to your emails when you delete the account from a device

Your emails do not disappear. They remain stored on Microsoft's servers under your Outlook account. If you add the account back to any device using the same email and password, all your emails will be there. This is true whether you delete the account from Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android.

However, if you have downloaded emails to your device for offline reading, those local copies may be deleted depending on your settings. Check your device's storage or email app settings if you're concerned about losing offline copies.

Permanently closing your Microsoft account

If you want to close your Outlook account permanently and lose access to all Microsoft services, that's a different process and it cannot be undone. Go to account.microsoft.com, sign in, and look for the option to close your account. Microsoft will ask you to confirm multiple times and will give you a window to change your mind — usually 60 days — before the account is actually deleted. After that period, your emails, OneDrive files, Skype account, and any other Microsoft services tied to that account are gone forever.

Before you close your account, download any files from OneDrive, save any important emails, and make sure you won't need access to Xbox Live, Skype, or other Microsoft services. If you only want to stop using Outlook but keep your Microsoft account for other services, just delete the account from your device instead — don't close the entire account.

Removing Outlook before selling or giving away your device

If you're selling or giving away a computer, phone, or tablet, remove your Outlook account and sign out of all Microsoft services before handing it over. Simply deleting the account from the Mail or Outlook app is usually enough, but you should also go to Settings and make sure you're not signed into Windows with a Microsoft account, or that you've removed your Microsoft account from the device's user accounts.

On Windows, go to Settings > Accounts > Your info and check whether you're signed in with a Microsoft account or a local account. If it's a Microsoft account, consider switching to a local account before you sell the device. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Users & Groups, select your account, and make sure it's not linked to your Microsoft ID. On iPhone, go to Settings > [Your Name] and sign out of iCloud. On Android, go to Settings > Accounts and remove your Microsoft account.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I delete Outlook from my computer, can I add it back later?

Yes. As long as your Microsoft account still exists, you can add it back to any device by opening Mail or Outlook, selecting Add Account, entering your email and password, and letting the app sync your emails. Your emails will reappear because they're stored on Microsoft's servers, not just on your device.

Will deleting Outlook from my phone delete my emails?

No. Your emails stay on Microsoft's servers. Deleting the account from your phone just removes access on that phone. If you add the account back later, all your emails will be there.

What's the difference between removing an account and closing an account?

Removing an account deletes it from one device only — your account and emails remain intact. Closing an account permanently deletes your entire Microsoft account, all your emails, OneDrive files, and access to all Microsoft services. Closing cannot be undone after 60 days.

Do I need to delete my Outlook account if I'm just switching to Gmail?

No. You can keep your Outlook account and just stop using it, or delete it from your devices. You only need to permanently close the account if you want Microsoft to delete all your data. Many people keep old email accounts for password recovery or to receive occasional messages.

Can someone else access my Outlook account if I don't close it?

Only if they have your password. Deleting the account from a device doesn't make it accessible to others — it just removes it from that device. If you're concerned about security, change your Microsoft password instead of deleting the account.