How to Delete one entry from Outlook Desktop Autocomplete list ("X" is not showing up on my list)

Question

I am using Outlook 365 Desktop (Version 2604 Build 16.0.19929.20106) 64-bit).

Previously I could delete one entry from the autocomplete list by following these instructions:

Managing the AutoComplete List

• Remove entries one at a time:
  1. Open a new email message.
  2. Start typing the name or email address you want to remove.
  3. When the suggestion appears, hover over it until it is highlighted.
  4. Click the X next to the suggestion or press the DELETE key to remove it.

However, with the current version, the "X" is no longer available in the autocomplete list, so I cannot delete a single entry. I also tried selecting the entry I want to delete and pressing the Delete key. That didn't work either.

Is there some other method that can be used to delete one entry at a time from the autocomplete list?

Thanks for any suggestions.

Answer 1

There is a Feature Request that you can Vote for to revert this change:

Return ability to delete individual auto-complete suggestions for email recipients
https://feedbackportal.microsoft.com/feedback/idea/97490d3b-7d45-f111-9a91-000d3a05c4f5
(You must "Sign In" at the top right of the Feedback page before you can vote).

To salvage any email addresses in your Autocomplete List you want to keep before you clear it:

See the Answer by "Hornblower409 May 1 2026" How to convert your Autocomplete List to Contacts and erase the List in: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5871874/manually-removing-an-email-address-from-the-sugges?orderby=newest&page=1#answers

Answer 2

Hi Oregonian,

I understand that you want to remove only one address from the AutoComplete list in Classic Outlook, but the X no longer appears and the Delete key no longer removes the selected entry. Please note that this is a user-to-user forum, so contributors here do not have access to Outlook product telemetry or internal change details.

Based on the current public Microsoft guidance, the documented method to remove one AutoComplete entry is still to start typing the address, highlight the suggestion, then select X or press the Delete key. Since both options are not available or not working in your current build, the built-in option that remains available is to clear the whole AutoComplete list:

1. Open Outlook.
2. Select File > Options.
3. Select Mail.
4. Under Send messages, select Empty Auto-Complete List.
5. Confirm the prompt.

Please note that this removes the whole AutoComplete list, not only one entry. The list may gradually rebuild as you send messages again.

You can also submit this behavior directly from Outlook by selecting Help > Feedback and explaining that the option to remove a single AutoComplete entry is no longer available in your current Classic Outlook build. This is likely the best path if you want the individual removal option to be reviewed or restored.

For reference, here is the Microsoft article about the Outlook AutoComplete list: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365-apps/outlook/contacts/outlook-autocomplete-list

I hope this helps clarify the current options.