Are you tired of manually deleting items from your Outlook’s Deleted Items folder? Well, you’re in luck because there’s an easy way to set Outlook to empty your Deleted Items folder automatically every time you exit the program. This not only saves you time but also helps keep your mailbox clean and organized.
Step by Step Tutorial: How to Empty Deleted Items on Exit
Before we dive into the steps, it’s important to note that this tutorial is for Outlook users who want to ensure that their Deleted Items folder is emptied automatically upon exiting the application. This feature can be particularly useful for those who receive a large volume of emails and want to maintain a clutter-free mailbox.
Step 1: Open Outlook Options
Open the Outlook Options dialog box by clicking on ‘File’ and then ‘Options’.
In this step, you’re simply accessing the settings where you can adjust how Outlook behaves.
Step 2: Click on ‘Advanced’
In the Outlook Options dialog box, click on the ‘Advanced’ tab on the left-hand side.
The ‘Advanced’ tab is where you’ll find settings that control Outlook’s more detailed features.
Step 3: Check ‘Empty Deleted Items folders when exiting Outlook’
Scroll down to the ‘Outlook start and exit’ section and check the box next to ‘Empty Deleted Items folders when exiting Outlook’.
By selecting this option, you’re telling Outlook to automatically empty the Deleted Items folder each time you close the program.
Step 4: Click ‘OK’
Click ‘OK’ to save your changes and close the Outlook Options dialog box.
And that’s it! You’ve now set Outlook to empty your Deleted Items folder automatically upon exiting.
After completing these steps, every time you exit Outlook, the Deleted Items folder will be emptied without any further action required from you. This can help keep your mailbox tidy and prevent the accumulation of unnecessary emails that take up space.
Tips: How to Manage Outlook Deleted Items
- Regularly review your Deleted Items folder before exiting Outlook to ensure you’re not deleting important emails.
- If you accidentally delete an important email, you can usually recover it from the Deleted Items folder before it’s permanently removed.
- Remember that emptying your Deleted Items folder on exit is a permanent action, and you won’t be able to retrieve those emails afterward.
- Consider creating email rules to automatically sort and delete less important emails to keep your inbox organized.
- Keep in mind that some organizations may have policies in place that prevent the automatic deletion of emails. Check with your IT department if you’re unsure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I forget to empty my Deleted Items folder?
If you don’t empty your Deleted Items folder, it will continue to accumulate emails, which can lead to a cluttered mailbox and possibly slow down Outlook’s performance.
Can I recover emails after they’ve been permanently deleted?
Once emails are permanently deleted from the Deleted Items folder, they cannot be recovered through Outlook. However, your organization’s IT department might be able to assist in some cases.
Will this setting apply to all my email accounts in Outlook?
The ‘Empty Deleted Items folders when exiting Outlook’ setting applies to all email accounts set up in Outlook.
Can I undo this setting if I change my mind?
Yes, you can easily undo this setting by following the same steps and unchecking the ‘Empty Deleted Items folders when exiting Outlook’ option.
Is it safe to empty my Deleted Items folder automatically?
As long as you regularly review your Deleted Items folder and are confident that you won’t need the emails, it is safe to empty it automatically. Just be mindful of what you’re deleting.
Summary
- Open Outlook Options.
- Click on ‘Advanced’.
- Check ‘Empty Deleted Items folders when exiting Outlook’.
- Click ‘OK’.
Conclusion
Emptying your Deleted Items folder in Outlook doesn’t have to be a chore you dread. By enabling the ‘Empty Deleted Items on Exit’ feature, you can keep your mailbox neat and tidy without lifting a finger. It’s a simple yet effective way to manage your emails and ensure that you’re not hoarding unnecessary items that could clutter your space and mind. Plus, it’s a good practice to maintain digital hygiene and enhance your overall productivity.
Remember that while this feature is convenient, it also requires a bit of caution. Make sure to double-check your Deleted Items folder for any important emails before you exit Outlook for the day. After all, once they’re gone, they’re gone for good. So, why not take control of your mailbox today by enabling this nifty feature? Your future self will thank you for the clean and organized inbox you’ll maintain with Outlook’s ‘Empty Deleted Items on Exit’ function.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.