Delete a Message Without Downloading It in Outlook GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Software & Apps > MS Office

How to Delete a Message Without Downloading It in Outlook

Save bandwidth by deleting emails before they hit your inbox

By Heinz Tschabitscher Heinz Tschabitscher Writer University of Vienna A former freelance contributor who has reviewed hundreds of email programs and services since 1997. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on March 6, 2021 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email MS Office Outlook Word Excel Powerpoint

What to Know

Set up Outlook to download only the headers in messages. Highlight the message you want to delete without downloading it in the Outlook folder. Right-click the email header. Select Delete to remove the message the next time Outlook checks for new mail. This article explains how to delete an email message in Outlook before it is downloaded from the server. Instructions in this article apply to Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, 2003, and Outlook for Microsoft 365. The download headers setting work with POP3 and Exchange accounts.

Delete a Message Without Downloading It in Outlook

If you want to keep your inbox file size small or if you don't want to download messages, set up Outlook to avoid downloading complete messages by default but show you the headers (who the message is from and what its subject is, for example) instead. This way, you can go through the Outlook message list and select which messages to delete on the server. To delete a message right away before it is downloaded in Outlook: Highlight the message you want to delete in the Outlook folder.​​ To highlight multiple messages, press and hold Ctrl while selecting them. Right-click on the email header you wish to delete. Select Delete. The messages are marked for deletion and will be deleted the next time Outlook checks for new mail. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Download Only the Headers for Large Messages in Outlook How to Export Emails From Outlook How to Purge Deleted Outlook Email How to Forward an Email as an Attachment in Outlook How to Recall an Email in Outlook Learn How to Properly Redirect an Email in Outlook How to Postpone an Email in Outlook for iOS How to Purge Deleted Messages Automatically in Outlook How to Empty Deleted Items and Junk Folders Fast in Outlook.com How to Fix It When Attachments Aren't Showing in Outlook How to Continue a Draft in Outlook Mail on the Web How to See the Total Inbox Message Count in Outlook How to Hide Strikethrough Messages in Outlook How to Recover Mail From the Outlook Junk Mail Folder Forward Multiple Emails Individually in Outlook How to Clear the Outlook Cache Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies