Your Outlook email signature can include a digital certificate to prove your identity to recipients, but sometimes add-ins interfere with this feature or slow down your entire email experience. If you have ever wondered how to disable add ins in outlook, you are in the right place. This guide walks you through every method, from the classic desktop app to the web version and even mobile. We keep things simple, direct, and practical.
Add-ins are small programs that extend Outlook’s functionality. They can help with scheduling, email tracking, or CRM integration. However, too many active add-ins can cause crashes, slow loading, or unexpected errors. Disabling them often solves these problems instantly.
Below, you will find a complete outline of what we cover. Use it to jump to the section you need most.
Outline
- Why Disable Add-Ins In Outlook?
- How To Disable Add Ins In Outlook (Desktop Version)
- Disable Add-Ins In Outlook 365 And 2019
- How To Disable Add-Ins In Outlook For Mac
- Disable Add-Ins In Outlook Web App (OWA)
- Disable Add-Ins In Outlook Mobile (iOS And Android)
- Troubleshooting Common Add-In Issues
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why Disable Add-Ins In Outlook?
Add-ins can be helpful, but they also consume resources. When you have too many running, Outlook may freeze or take forever to start. Disabling unused add-ins frees up memory and speeds up your workflow.
Common reasons to disable add-ins include:
- Outlook crashes frequently
- Slow email loading or sending
- Conflicts with other software
- Unwanted toolbars or buttons
- Security concerns with third-party add-ins
If you notice any of these signs, it is time to take action. The good news is that disabling add-ins is reversable and does not delete them. You can always re-enable them later.
How To Disable Add Ins In Outlook
This section covers the most common method for Windows desktop users. Whether you use Outlook 2016, 2019, or Microsoft 365, the steps are nearly identical.
Step 1: Open Outlook And Go To File
Launch Outlook on your computer. Click the File tab in the top-left corner. This opens the backstage view where you can manage account settings and options.
Step 2: Access Options
In the left sidebar, scroll down and click Options. A new window titled “Outlook Options” appears. This is where you control most of Outlook’s behavior.
Step 3: Navigate To Add-Ins
In the Outlook Options window, select Add-Ins from the left menu. You will see a list of all active and inactive add-ins. The list includes COM add-ins, Exchange Client Extensions, and other types.
Step 4: Manage COM Add-Ins
At the bottom of the window, find the Manage dropdown menu. It usually says “COM Add-ins” by default. Click the Go… button next to it.
A new dialog box lists all COM add-ins currently installed. Uncheck the box next to any add-in you want to disable. Click OK to confirm.
Step 5: Restart Outlook
Close and reopen Outlook for the changes to take effect. The disabled add-ins will no longer load, and you should notice improved performance.
If you need to disable other types of add-ins, repeat the process but choose a different option from the Manage dropdown, such as “Exchange Client Extensions” or “Outlook Add-ins.”
Disable Add-Ins In Outlook 365 And 2019
Outlook 365 and 2019 share the same interface. The steps above work perfectly. However, there is an additional method using the Trust Center for more advanced control.
Using The Trust Center
Go to File > Options > Trust Center. Click Trust Center Settings. Then select Add-Ins from the left menu. Here, you can disable all add-ins by checking “Disable all Application Add-ins.” This is a nuclear option, so use it only if you have serious issues.
Alternatively, you can manage individual add-ins from the same window. The Trust Center also provides security warnings for unsigned add-ins.
Disable Add-Ins Via Registry (Advanced)
For IT administrators or advanced users, you can disable add-ins via the Windows Registry. This method is not recommended for beginners because mistakes can break Outlook. Always back up your registry first.
Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\Addins. Find the add-in you want to disable, double-click its LoadBehavior value, and set it to 0. Restart Outlook.
How To Disable Add-Ins In Outlook For Mac
Mac users have a slightly different process. Outlook for Mac does not have the same Options menu as Windows. Instead, you manage add-ins through the Preferences menu.
Step 1: Open Outlook Preferences
Launch Outlook on your Mac. Click Outlook in the top menu bar, then select Preferences. A new window opens with various settings.
Step 2: Click Add-Ins
In the Preferences window, find and click Add-Ins. This shows a list of all installed add-ins, both active and inactive.
Step 3: Uncheck Or Remove Add-Ins
To disable an add-in, simply uncheck the box next to it. If you want to remove it permanently, select the add-in and click the minus (-) button. Restart Outlook to apply changes.
Note: Some add-ins are built into Outlook and cannot be disabled. These are usually grayed out in the list.
Disable Add-Ins In Outlook Web App (OWA)
Outlook on the web also supports add-ins, but they are managed differently. You can disable them directly from the settings menu.
Step 1: Open Settings
Log in to Outlook Web App. Click the gear icon in the top-right corner. Select View all Outlook settings at the bottom of the pane.
Step 2: Go To Mail > Customize Actions
In the Settings window, click Mail, then Customize actions. Scroll down to the Add-ins section.
Step 3: Manage Add-Ins
You will see a list of installed add-ins. Click the three dots (…) next to any add-in and select Turn off. Alternatively, you can remove it entirely by choosing Remove.
Changes take effect immediately. No restart is needed for OWA.
Disable Add-Ins In Outlook Mobile (IOS And Android)
Mobile versions of Outlook have limited add-in support, but you can still disable them if they cause issues.
For IOS
Open the Outlook app on your iPhone or iPad. Tap your profile picture or initials in the top-left corner. Scroll down and tap Settings. Under Mail, tap Add-ins. Toggle off any add-in you want to disable.
For Android
Open the Outlook app. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top-left. Tap the gear icon to open settings. Select Add-ins and toggle off the ones you do not need.
Mobile add-ins are usually for productivity tools like Trello or Evernote. Disabling them can save battery and data.
Troubleshooting Common Add-In Issues
Sometimes disabling add-ins does not solve the problem. Here are a few extra steps to try.
Check For Conflicting Add-Ins
Disable all add-ins at once to see if the issue goes away. If it does, re-enable them one by one to find the culprit. This method is called “binary search” and works well.
Update Or Reinstall Add-Ins
An outdated add-in can cause conflicts. Check the developer’s website for updates. If the add-in is from the Microsoft AppSource, update it through the store.
Run Outlook In Safe Mode
Safe mode starts Outlook without any add-ins. Press Windows + R, type outlook /safe, and press Enter. If Outlook works fine in safe mode, an add-in is likely the problem.
Repair Office Installation
If add-ins still cause trouble, repair your Office installation. Go to Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features. Find Microsoft Office, right-click it, and select Change. Choose Quick Repair or Online Repair.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Disable All Add-ins In Outlook At Once?
Go to File > Options > Add-Ins. At the bottom, under Manage, select COM Add-ins and click Go. Uncheck all boxes, then click OK. This disables all COM add-ins simultaneously.
Can I Disable Add-ins In Outlook Without Admin Rights?
Yes, most add-ins can be disabled from the user interface without admin permissions. However, some add-ins installed by your organization may require admin rights to remove or disable.
Why Can’t I See The Add-Ins Option In Outlook?
If the Add-Ins option is missing, you might be using a restricted version of Outlook, such as Outlook on the web with limited settings. Check with your IT department if you are on a work account.
Will Disabling Add-ins Delete My Data?
No, disabling an add-in only stops it from loading. Your data, settings, and configurations remain intact. You can re-enable the add-in later without losing anything.
How Do I Re-enable A Disabled Add-in In Outlook?
Follow the same steps you used to disable it. Go to File > Options > Add-Ins, manage COM add-ins, and check the box next to the add-in you want to re-enable. Restart Outlook.
Now you know exactly how to disable add ins in outlook across all platforms. Start with the desktop method if you are on Windows, or follow the Mac guide if you use Apple. For web and mobile users, the steps are even simpler. Remember, you can always turn them back on if you miss a feature.
If you still experience issues after disabling add-ins, consider other factors like a corrupted profile or large mailbox. But in most cases, add-ins are the main culprit. Take control of your Outlook today and enjoy a faster, smoother email experience.
We hope this guide helped you. If you have any questions, drop them in the comments below. Happy emailing!