Share via

How to fully uninstall or reset Outlook (new) for windows as it keeps saving the old settings

Anonymous
2025-03-11T13:01:48+00:00

I have the free windows mail app Outlook (new) for windows.

(This is the free one from the app store, nothing to do with 365)

I am not getting email notifications when the app is closed even though settings allow notifications when closed, so I w#]anted to uninstall or reset the app BUT if I uninstall or reset the app, Outlook comes back with the exact same view/account/settings etc.

Same theme/view/account etc as it was before instead of fully resetting to default like it SHOULD.

It doesn't ask you to re-log in or set your settings etc like it should, it just saves the old settings/theme/account/view that you had before.

Basically it isn't uninstalling NOR resetting fully.

I have reset and uninstalled it about 30 times over the last few months and each time, it just comes back to the same view/settings/account etc.

I have worked in IT for many years in the past and even with my knowledge, I cannot fully reset or uninstall Outlook to get it back to default.

All I want is working notifications but they just don't work if closed, so I hoped resetting or uninstalling would fix it, but it just doesn't properly reset or uninstall.

This has to be a bug as prior to around mid to late last year it would reset or uninstall fine. It is since late last year that it started and now it just won't reset or uninstall fully.

Are there some folders or files in appdata I should delete to make sure I fully uninstall Outlook? If so what files?

Again this is the FREE Outlook New app for windows that you find in the app store, not outlook 365.

Outlook | Windows | New Outlook for Windows | For business

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

7 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2025-03-12T02:38:04+00:00

    Dear customer,

    Welcome to Microsoft Community.

    After reading, I have a general idea of your problem.

    To completely reset new Outlook, you can refer to the following steps. This will create a new data folder, allowing you to reinstate all settings in New Outlook. Note that after completing this, all accounts info will be removed in new Outlook. However, you can easily restore it to its original state.

    • The route: 

    C:\Users[UserName]\AppData\Local\Microsoft.

    • Rename the Olk folder, such as Olk_old, and then reopen New Outlook.

    This will generate a new Olk folder. Renaming instead of deleting it outright is to avoid losing any data you may need. If there is no important data, you can delete it. If you need to restore, all you need to do is to delete the newly generated Olk folder and rename the previously renamed folder to Olk.

    I hope the above information helps you and I look forward to your good news :)

    Best Wishes,

    Stan.L - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Deleted

    This answer has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The answer was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.

    Comments have been turned off. Learn more

  3. Anonymous
    2025-03-17T11:36:05+00:00

    Thanks I will give that a try.

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2025-03-17T09:59:05+00:00

    Dear ukheather,

    Thanks for your reply.

    The olk folder is purely for Outlook, and 'olk' is an abbreviated form of 'Outlook'.

    You can rest assured that you can reset Outlook (new) by rebuilding the olk file.

    I hope my suggestion is helpful to you.

    Feel free to contact me if there are any further updates on this issue, I am here to help you further if needed :)

    Best wishes

    Stan.L - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2025-03-13T11:38:20+00:00

    Is that folder purely for outlook or will it affect other microsoft apps?

    I also use onedrive, todo, onenote which are all microsoft apps too and don't want to affect them.

    I just want to fully reset or fully uninstall outlook (new) for windows which is the free app from the appstore.

    0 comments