How to Permanently and Securely Delete Outlook Emails from the Server- A Comprehensive Guide

How to Permanently Delete Outlook Emails from Server

In today’s digital age, managing email can be quite overwhelming, especially when you have a vast number of emails stored on your Outlook server. Sometimes, you might want to delete emails permanently from the server to free up space or remove sensitive information. However, it’s important to understand that deleting emails from your Outlook account does not always mean they are permanently removed from the server. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to permanently delete Outlook emails from the server.

Step 1: Access Outlook Web App

To begin, you need to access the Outlook Web App. Go to the Outlook website (outlook.com) and log in with your account credentials. Once logged in, you will see your inbox and other folders.

Step 2: Select the Emails to Delete

Next, navigate to the folder containing the emails you want to delete permanently. You can use the search function to find specific emails or browse through the folders. Select the emails by clicking on the checkbox next to each email. If you want to delete multiple emails at once, you can hold down the “Ctrl” key on your keyboard while clicking on the emails.

Step 3: Delete Emails from the Server

After selecting the emails, click on the “Delete” button at the top of the screen. This action will move the selected emails to the Deleted Items folder, but they are not yet permanently deleted from the server.

Step 4: Empty the Deleted Items Folder

To permanently delete the emails, you need to empty the Deleted Items folder. Click on the “Deleted Items” folder to open it. Then, click on the “Empty Folder” button at the top of the screen. A confirmation prompt will appear, asking if you want to permanently delete the items. Click “Yes” to confirm the deletion.

Step 5: Confirm Deletion

After emptying the Deleted Items folder, the emails should be permanently deleted from the server. However, it’s always a good idea to verify the deletion. Go back to the folder from which you deleted the emails and search for the specific emails. If they no longer appear, it means they have been successfully deleted from the server.

Conclusion

Deleting emails permanently from the Outlook server is a straightforward process, but it’s important to follow the steps carefully to ensure the emails are completely removed. By accessing the Outlook Web App, selecting the emails, and emptying the Deleted Items folder, you can free up space and protect your sensitive information. Remember to double-check the deletion to ensure the process was successful.