outlook MAIL

Question

No matter what i do delete all my messages in hotmail they keep coming back?

Thank you

TIMMY 2 TOES

Answer 1

When deleted messages in a Hotmail/Outlook.com account keep coming back, the usual causes are:

1. Deleted items not being emptied
2. Very large delete operations timing out
3. Messages being restored from the Recoverable items store

Use these steps in Outlook.com (web) to fully remove them and stop them reappearing:

1. Delete from the folder again
   • Go to the folder (Inbox, Junk, etc.).
   • Select the check box above the message list.
   • In the reading pane, select Empty folder.
   • All items move to Deleted Items.
2. Empty Deleted Items
   • Open the Deleted Items folder.
   • At the top of the message list, select Empty folder.
   • If there are many emails, leave the browser window open until the process finishes.
   • If deletion fails, try deleting in smaller batches.
3. Permanently erase Recoverable items
   Even after emptying Deleted Items, Outlook.com keeps a hidden Recoverable items store that can bring messages back. To purge it:
   • Under Folders, select Deleted Items.
   • At the top of the message list, select Recover items deleted from this folder.
   • Select Empty folder to permanently erase them.
   • Items removed here are permanently deleted and cannot be restored.
4. Free up mailbox storage if it is full
   If the mailbox is near its storage limit, cleanup can behave inconsistently. Use the Storage page to clear space:
   • Go to Settings > Storage.
   • Review which folders use the most space.
   • Use the options there to permanently delete items (or items older than 3, 6, or 12 months).
   • Remember: items still in Deleted Items continue to count toward the quota until that folder is emptied.
5. Enable automatic emptying of Deleted Items on sign-out (optional)
   To reduce the chance of old items reappearing:
   • Go to Settings > Mail > Message handling.
   • Under Message options, select Empty my deleted items folder.
   • Select Save.

If messages still reappear after all three levels of deletion (folder → Deleted Items → Recoverable items) and storage is not full, wait some time and repeat the delete in smaller batches, as large operations can be delayed.

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References:

• Delete email in Outlook.com
• Mailbox storage limits in Outlook
• Working with message folders in Outlook.com
• Delete all email messages in Outlook