Uninstalling Outlook from a Mac requires dragging the application to the Trash bin, but there is more to it if you want a complete removal. This guide covers exactly how to remove Outlook from Mac, including leftover files and data. You will learn the simple steps, plus advanced methods to clear everything out.
Outlook for Mac can take up a lot of space and sometimes causes sync issues. If you are switching to another email client or just cleaning up your system, removing it properly is key. Let’s get started with the basics and then move to deeper cleanup.
How To Remove Outlook From Mac
Removing Outlook from your Mac is not just about deleting the app icon. The application itself is easy to trash, but Outlook stores your emails, accounts, and settings in separate folders. If you leave those behind, they still take up disk space and might cause conflicts if you reinstall later.
Follow these steps to remove Outlook completely. The process works for Outlook 2016, 2019, 2021, and Microsoft 365 versions.
Step 1: Quit Outlook Completely
Before you delete anything, make sure Outlook is not running. If it is open, the system will not let you move the app to Trash easily.
- Click on the Outlook menu in the top bar.
- Select “Quit Outlook” or press Command + Q.
- Check the Dock to confirm the app icon has no dot under it.
Step 2: Drag Outlook To The Trash
This is the main part of the uninstall process. The application file is located in your Applications folder.
- Open Finder and go to the Applications folder.
- Find Microsoft Outlook in the list.
- Drag the Outlook icon to the Trash bin in your Dock.
- Alternatively, right-click on Outlook and select “Move to Trash”.
That removes the program itself. But your emails and settings are still on your Mac.
Step 3: Delete Outlook Data And Cache Files
Outlook stores your mailbox data, account settings, and cache in the Library folder. You need to delete these manually to free up space and ensure a clean removal.
First, open Finder. Then click on the “Go” menu in the top bar. Hold down the Option key on your keyboard, and you will see “Library” appear in the dropdown menu. Click it.
Inside the Library folder, look for these specific folders and delete them:
- Group Containers – Look for a folder named
UBF8T346G9.OfficeorUBF8T346G9.OfficeOsfWeb. These contain Outlook data. - Containers – Find
com.microsoft.Outlookand move it to Trash. - Caches – Go to
~/Library/Cachesand deletecom.microsoft.Outlook. - Preferences – In
~/Library/Preferences, deletecom.microsoft.Outlook.plist.
Be careful when deleting files from Library. Only remove items clearly related to Outlook. Deleting the wrong file can affect other Microsoft apps.
Step 4: Empty The Trash
After moving all Outlook files to Trash, you need to empty it to free up disk space. Right-click the Trash icon in the Dock and select “Empty Trash”. Or open Trash and click the empty button.
Your Mac may ask for your password. This is normal. Once done, Outlook is removed from your system.
Alternative Method: Using A Third-Party Uninstaller
If you do not want to hunt for files manually, you can use an uninstaller app. These tools scan your Mac for all related files and delete them in one click.
Popular options include AppCleaner, CleanMyMac X, or Hazel. They are easy to use and reduce the risk of missing leftover files.
How To Use AppCleaner For Outlook
- Download and install AppCleaner (it is free).
- Open AppCleaner and drag the Outlook app from Applications into its window.
- AppCleaner will list all associated files. Review the list.
- Click “Remove” to delete everything at once.
This method is faster and more thorough for most users. But always double-check that the uninstaller found all Outlook data.
What If Outlook Does Not Uninstall Normally?
Sometimes Outlook refuses to go to Trash. This happens if the app is still running in the background or if there is a permissions issue.
Force Quit First
Open Activity Monitor from Utilities. Search for “Outlook” in the process list. If you see it, select it and click the X button to force quit. Then try moving to Trash again.
Use Terminal To Force Delete
If dragging fails, you can use Terminal. Open Terminal from Utilities. Type this command and press Enter:
sudo rm -rf /Applications/Microsoft\ Outlook.appEnter your admin password when prompted. This deletes the app immediately. Be careful with Terminal commands—they cannot be undone.
Removing Outlook Data Without Deleting The App
Maybe you want to keep Outlook installed but clear all your accounts and emails. This is useful if you are troubleshooting or giving your Mac to someone else.
To reset Outlook without uninstalling:
- Open Outlook and go to Tools > Accounts.
- Select each account and click the minus sign to remove it.
- Close Outlook and delete the data files from Library as described in Step 3 above.
When you reopen Outlook, it will be like a fresh install.
Common Mistakes When Removing Outlook From Mac
Many users think dragging the app to Trash is enough. That is the biggest mistake. Outlook leaves behind gigabytes of data, especially if you have many emails or large attachments.
Another mistake is forgetting to empty the Trash. The files are still on your drive until you do that.
Some people also delete the wrong Library folders. Always verify the folder name matches Outlook or Microsoft Office.
How To Verify Outlook Is Completely Removed
After you finish, check that no traces remain. Do a quick search in Finder for “Outlook” or “Microsoft Outlook”. If nothing shows up, you are good.
Also check your Applications folder to confirm the app is gone. Finally, restart your Mac to clear any cached processes.
Reinstalling Outlook After Removal
If you removed Outlook but want it back, you need to download it again from the Microsoft website or the App Store. If you had a Microsoft 365 subscription, you can reinstall from your account page.
After reinstalling, you will need to set up your email accounts again. If you deleted the data files, your old emails are gone unless you backed them up.
Backing Up Outlook Data Before Uninstalling
If you might need your emails later, export them first. Outlook for Mac has a built-in export feature.
- Open Outlook and go to File > Export.
- Choose what to export: contacts, calendars, or all items.
- Save the .olm file to an external drive or cloud storage.
Later, you can import this file into a fresh Outlook installation.
Why Remove Outlook From Mac?
There are several good reasons to uninstall Outlook. It is a large application that uses significant disk space and memory. Some users find it slower than Apple Mail or other clients.
Others remove it because they switched to a different email service that does not require Outlook. And sometimes, a corrupted Outlook profile causes crashes, so a clean removal and reinstall fixes the problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Uninstall Outlook From Mac Completely?
Drag the app to Trash, then delete the data files from Library folders: Group Containers, Containers, Caches, and Preferences. Empty the Trash afterward.
Will Removing Outlook Delete My Emails?
Yes, if you delete the data files in Library. To keep emails, export them first to an .olm file before uninstalling.
Can I Remove Outlook Without Losing Account Settings?
No, account settings are stored in the same data files. Deleting them removes all settings. You will need to reconfigure accounts if you reinstall.
Is There A Free Uninstaller For Outlook On Mac?
Yes, AppCleaner is free and works well. It finds and removes leftover files automatically.
Why Is Outlook Still Showing After I Moved It To Trash?
You may have only moved the alias, not the actual app. Check that you dragged the app from the Applications folder, not from the Dock.
Final Thoughts On Removing Outlook From Your Mac
Removing Outlook from a Mac is straightforward once you know where all the files hide. The app itself goes to Trash easily, but the real cleanup is in the Library folder. Take your time to delete those hidden files, or use a third-party tool to do it for you.
If you are unsure about deleting system files, stick with the manual method but only remove items clearly labeled for Outlook. And always back up important data before uninstalling any major application.
Now you have a clean Mac without Outlook taking up space. Whether you are switching to Apple Mail, Thunderbird, or just decluttering, these steps will help you remove Outlook completely.
Rememebr to restart your Mac after the process to ensure no background processes remain. If you ever need Outlook again, you can always reinstall from your Microsoft account.
That is the full guide on how to remove Outlook from Mac. Follow these steps, and your system will be free of Outlook and its associated files.