Outlook (New) - how to delete all contacts

Question

Outlook (New) - how to delete all contacts

sfmitch 5

Trying to move to Outlook (new) from Windows live mail and having trouble with contacts.

I now have lots of duplicates and I want to delete all the contacts and start over.

When I select more than 10 contacts, delete is no longer an option (grayed out).

How can I delete all contact in Outlook (new) either within the program or I am OK with deleting contacts data file (If I knew where it was).

Thanks!

Marc Schmid 20 Reputation points

2025-03-14T13:00:41.04+00:00

I have the same issue, for at least 6 years or for how long outlook.com exists. In the meantime it created 60,000+ duplicates. Which is the reason I haven't been using it, ever. That's the only reason. It is ridiculous you cannot delete all, and you can only select 10 or so to delete in one go. Even more ridiculous is the Microsoft answers to read about this issue and then suggest to select 10 contacts and delete them.
Marc Schmid 20 Reputation points

2025-03-14T13:02:48.2633333+00:00

This issue exists and exists and exists and is posted and asked about and Microsoft posts ridiculously unhelpful responses, and this is the case for any other issue I have with any other Microsoft software. This is the worst waste of time, reading the ridiculous responses by Microsoft on very clearly described issues by users. Like have you tried unplugging the device and restarting? Have you tried reinstalling windows?
Robert Nicholls 0 Reputation points

2025-03-15T16:46:39.12+00:00

Please, please fix this. Perhaps a setting in the apps, but deleting 10 at a time is a waste of time.

1 answer

Your answer

Marc Schmid 20 Reputation points

2025-03-14T13:00:41.04+00:00

I have the same issue, for at least 6 years or for how long outlook.com exists. In the meantime it created 60,000+ duplicates. Which is the reason I haven't been using it, ever. That's the only reason. It is ridiculous you cannot delete all, and you can only select 10 or so to delete in one go. Even more ridiculous is the Microsoft answers to read about this issue and then suggest to select 10 contacts and delete them.
Marc Schmid 20 Reputation points

2025-03-14T13:02:48.2633333+00:00

This issue exists and exists and exists and is posted and asked about and Microsoft posts ridiculously unhelpful responses, and this is the case for any other issue I have with any other Microsoft software. This is the worst waste of time, reading the ridiculous responses by Microsoft on very clearly described issues by users. Like have you tried unplugging the device and restarting? Have you tried reinstalling windows?
Robert Nicholls 0 Reputation points

2025-03-15T16:46:39.12+00:00

Please, please fix this. Perhaps a setting in the apps, but deleting 10 at a time is a waste of time.

Answer 1

ChristyZhang-MSFT 26,126 Microsoft External Staff

Hi @sfmitch ,

Welcome to our forum!

Based on my test in New Outlook, when i select 10 contacts, the Delete button is available. What's your steps? If possible, please provide a screenshot of the issue for our better research. (In order to avoid privacy leakage, please remember to hide your personal information, just like email address.)

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sfmitch 5 Reputation points

2024-12-10T13:14:32.68+00:00

Did you try selecting ALL contacts and deleting. Whether it is 9 or 10 or 11, unless I can mass delete, I have a problem. Have over 800 contacts in Outlook (new)
ChristyZhang-MSFT 26,126 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2024-12-11T09:03:46.3+00:00

Hi @sfmitch ,

Thanks for your reply!

Did you try selecting ALL contacts and deleting

Yes, i can. Would you please provide a screenshot of the issue for our better research? (In order to avoid privacy leakage, please remember to hide your personal information, just like email address.)
sfmitch 5 Reputation points

2024-12-11T13:39:57.5366667+00:00

Note all contacts are selected (15) and delete button(s) are greyed out.I'd like to see a screenshot of your Outlook (new) showing Delete button not greyed out after selecting all (more than 10) contacts. I have checked on multiple machines and am getting same behavior.

I have a simple question. Do you know how to mass delete contacts in Outlook (new) OR delete data file that contains all contacts?
sfmitch 5 Reputation points

2024-12-11T13:45:27.7566667+00:00

Note all contacts are selected (15) and delete button(s) are greyed out.I have a simple question. How to mass delete contacts in Outlook (new) OR delete data file that contains all contacts?
sfmitch 5 Reputation points

2024-12-11T13:45:57.3666667+00:00
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Teresa B. Cyrus 1 Reputation point

2024-12-13T09:31:57.3333333+00:00

Hi @ChristyZhang-MSFT ,

The same behavior occurred with my contacts in New Outlook Desktop and the Web (Business Standard subscription) during my testing. The delete button will automatically greyed out after ten contacts. This issue is not a one-off glitch.

Several months ago, I had a similar issue and had to ensure that an email address was added to each contact. MS was informed. Currently, each contact has an email address.

I hope this additional information helps you resolve your issue.

#traccreations4e 12/13/2024
sfmitch 5 Reputation points

2024-12-13T14:14:16.2233333+00:00

I just gave up and installed Thunderbird. Too many issues with Outlook (new)
ChristyZhang-MSFT 26,126 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2024-12-16T07:41:24.36+00:00

Hi @sfmitch ,

Thanks for your reply!

Based on my research, i found that we cannot delete more than 10 contacts as a time in New Outlook.

Please kindly understand that many functions are not designed at present. At present, what I can do for you is to submit feedback for your request and I have post here, and you could vote for it. If you have any suggestions or ideas, it's suggested that you could post here. Hope Microsoft will notice this in the future. Thanks for your understanding and support!
ChristyZhang-MSFT 26,126 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2024-12-18T02:48:18.1233333+00:00

Hi @sfmitch ,

Just checking in to see if above information was helpful. If it is useful, would you mind marking the helpful post as an answer? Which would benefit others who also has similar issues in forum.
Glendon O'Brien 0 Reputation points

2024-12-29T23:16:46.43+00:00

This is my experience and every else who reported. This is a snafu. If you have 800 contacts loaded and want to clean house, this is a big waste of time to do it 10 addresses per delete. Fix please!
Glendon O'Brien 0 Reputation points

2024-12-29T23:18:27.12+00:00

Christy. It's helpful. It means we should shop around for better baked software. This is not ready for sale!
ImZan khAn 0 Reputation points

2025-02-16T18:13:01.0766667+00:00

i want to delete 1000 duplicate contacts not 10

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Outlook (New) - how to delete all contacts

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