How To Delete An Email Template In Outlook : Remove Outlook Email Templates

That outdated email template in Outlook can be removed from the template folder quickly. If you are wondering how to delete an email template in Outlook, the process is straightforward and takes less than a minute. This guide walks you through every method, from the classic desktop app to the web version, so you can clean up your template list without hassle.

Email templates are handy for repetitive messages, but they can pile up over time. Deleting old ones keeps your Outlook organized and prevents you from sending outdated content. Let’s get right into the steps.

How To Delete An Email Template In Outlook

This section covers the most common method for removing templates in the Outlook desktop application. The steps work for Outlook 2016, 2019, 2021, and Microsoft 365 versions.

Step 1: Open The File Explorer Location

Outlook stores templates as individual files with the .oft extension. You need to find this folder first.

Open Outlook on your computer.
Click the File tab in the top-left corner.
Select Options from the menu.
In the Outlook Options window, click Mail.
Scroll down to the Save messages section.
Click the button labeled Save messages next to “Save messages in this format.”
A new window will open showing the default template folder path. Copy this path or note it.
Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
Paste the folder path into the box and press Enter.

Alternatively, you can use the default path directly: %appdata%\Microsoft\Templates. This works for most Outlook installations.

Step 2: Locate The Template File

Once the folder opens, you will see a list of files. Look for files ending with .oft. These are your email templates. The file name matches the name you gave the template when saving it.

Sort the folder by “Type” to group all .oft files together.
Identify the template you want to delete by its name.
If you have many templates, use the search bar in the top-right corner and type “.oft” to filter.

Step 3: Delete The Template File

Now you remove the file directly from the folder.

Right-click on the .oft file you want to delete.
Select Delete from the context menu.
Confirm the deletion if prompted by Windows.
The file moves to the Recycle Bin. It is gone from Outlook immediately.

That is it. The template will no longer appear when you choose “New Items” > “More Items” > “Choose Form” in Outlook.

Alternative Method: Delete Via The Choose Form Dialog

Some users prefer not to dig through file folders. You can also delete templates directly from within Outlook using the Choose Form dialog box.

Step 1: Open The Choose Form Window

In Outlook, go to the Home tab.
Click New Items in the ribbon.
Hover over More Items.
Select Choose Form from the submenu.

Step 2: Find Your Template

In the Choose Form window, change the “Look In” dropdown to User Templates in File System. This shows all your saved .oft files. Browse the list and locate the template you want to remove.

Step 3: Delete The Template

Here is where it gets tricky. The Choose Form dialog does not have a built-in delete button for templates. However, you can use a workaround:

Right-click on the template name in the list.
Select Properties.
In the Properties window, note the full file path shown at the bottom.
Close the dialog and open File Explorer manually.
Navigate to that exact path and delete the .oft file as described earlier.

This method is less direct but helps you locate the file if you forgot where it was saved.

How To Delete An Email Template In Outlook For Mac

Mac users have a different process. Outlook for Mac does not store templates in the same way, but you can still remove them.

Step 1: Open The Templates Folder

On a Mac, templates are stored in the following location: ~/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/User Content/Templates

Open Finder.
Click Go in the menu bar.
Select Go to Folder.
Paste the path above and press Enter.

Step 2: Delete The Template

You will see .oft files here. Simply drag the unwanted template to the Trash or right-click and select Move to Trash. Empty the Trash to permanently remove it.

How To Delete An Email Template In Outlook Web App

The web version of Outlook (Outlook.com or Office 365 web) does not support custom email templates in the same way as the desktop app. However, if you use the “My Templates” feature in Outlook on the web, you can delete those saved snippets.

Step 1: Access My Templates

Log into Outlook on the web.
Open a new email message.
Click the My Templates icon in the ribbon (it looks like a small document with a plus sign).
A pane opens on the right showing your saved templates.

Step 2: Delete A Template

Hover over the template you want to remove.
Click the three dots (more options) that appear.
Select Delete from the menu.
Confirm the deletion.

This removes the template from your web account instantly. Note that this does not affect templates stored in the desktop app.

Common Issues When Deleting Templates

Sometimes the process does not go smoothly. Here are a few problems you might face and how to fix them.

Template File Is In Use

If you get an error saying the file is in use, close Outlook completely. Check Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (Mac) to ensure no Outlook processes are running. Then try deleting again.

Cannot Find The Template Folder

The default path might be hidden. In Windows, enable “Show hidden files and folders” in File Explorer options. On Mac, the Library folder is hidden by default. Use the “Go to Folder” shortcut to bypass this.

Template Still Appears After Deletion

Outlook caches template names. Restart the application after deleting the file. If it still shows, clear the Outlook cache by going to File > Options > Mail and clicking “Empty Auto-Complete List” (this is safe to do).

Best Practices For Managing Email Templates

Keeping your template library tidy saves time. Here are some tips:

Name templates clearly with dates or version numbers.
Delete old versions right after updating them.
Store templates in a dedicated folder outside the default location if you have many.
Back up templates before mass deletion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Delete Multiple Templates At Once?

Yes. In the File Explorer folder, select multiple .oft files by holding Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac) and clicking each one. Then press Delete. This removes them all at once.

Does Deleting A Template Affect Sent Emails?

No. Deleting a template only removes the saved file. Emails you already sent using that template remain unchanged in recipients’ inboxes.

How Do I Recover A Deleted Template?

Check your Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (Mac). If the file is there, right-click and select Restore. If you emptied the trash, you may need a file recovery tool, but this is not guaranteed.

Why Can’t I See My Templates In The Choose Form Dialog?

Make sure the “Look In” dropdown is set to “User Templates in File System.” Also verify the template file is saved with the .oft extension and is in the correct folder.

Is There A Way To Delete Templates Without Opening File Explorer?

Not directly. The Choose Form dialog does not include a delete option. However, you can use third-party add-ins that add a delete button to the dialog, but these are not officially supported by Microsoft.

Now you know exactly how to delete an email template in Outlook across all platforms. The process is simple once you find the right folder. Start by checking your template folder location, then remove the .oft files you no longer need. For web users, the My Templates pane offers a straightforward delete option. Keep your template list clean to avoid confusion and ensure you always send the right message.

If you run into any issues, refer back to the troubleshooting section. Most problems come from the file being in use or the folder being hidden. With these steps, you can manage your Outlook templates like a pro. No more scrolling through outdated options when you need to send a quick reply. Just delete and move on.