RSS feeds in Outlook 365 can be disabled through the account settings to reduce inbox clutter. If you are wondering how to disable RSS feeds in Outlook 365, the process is straightforward and takes only a few minutes. Many users find that RSS feeds add unnecessary noise to their email workflow, so turning them off can help you focus on what matters.
RSS feeds were once a popular way to get updates from websites, but in Outlook 365, they often mix with your regular emails. This can be confusing and overwhelming. Disabling them cleans up your inbox and stops automatic downloads of feed content.
In this guide, I will walk you through every method to turn off RSS feeds in Outlook 365. Whether you use the desktop app, web version, or mobile app, you will find clear steps here. Let’s get started.
What Are Rss Feeds In Outlook 365?
RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication. It is a way for websites to share new content, like blog posts or news headlines, directly to your email client. In Outlook 365, RSS feeds appear as folders under your mailbox, similar to your Inbox or Sent Items.
When you subscribe to an RSS feed, Outlook checks for updates and downloads them automatically. This can fill your folder list with many extra folders, making it harder to navigate your email. Some users also find that RSS feed items clutter their unread count.
Disabling RSS feeds does not delete your existing subscriptions permanently. It just stops Outlook from syncing new content. You can always re-enable them later if needed.
How To Disable Rss Feeds In Outlook 365
Now we get to the main part: how to disable RSS feeds in Outlook 365. There are several ways to do this, depending on your version of Outlook. I will cover the most common methods below.
Method 1: Disable Rss Feeds In Outlook Desktop App
The desktop app for Windows or Mac gives you full control over RSS settings. Follow these steps:
- Open Outlook 365 on your computer.
- Click on File in the top-left corner.
- Select Options from the menu.
- In the Outlook Options window, click on Advanced on the left side.
- Scroll down to the RSS Feeds section.
- Uncheck the box that says Sync RSS Feeds to the Common Feed List.
- Click OK to save your changes.
This method stops Outlook from syncing any RSS feeds. Existing feed folders will remain in your folder list, but they will no longer update. If you want to remove the folders entirely, see the next section.
Method 2: Remove Rss Feed Folders From Folder List
Even after disabling syncing, you may still see RSS feed folders in your navigation pane. To remove them completely:
- In Outlook, go to the folder list on the left side.
- Find any folder named after an RSS feed (often with an RSS icon).
- Right-click on the folder and select Delete Folder.
- Confirm the deletion when prompted.
Repeat this for each RSS feed folder you see. Deleting them does not unsubscribe you from the feed itself; it just removes the folder from your view. If you later re-enable RSS syncing, new folders will reappear.
Method 3: Disable Rss Feeds In Outlook On The Web
Outlook on the web (OWA) also supports RSS feeds, but the settings are different. Here is how to turn them off:
- Log in to Outlook on the web at outlook.office.com.
- Click the gear icon (Settings) in the top-right corner.
- Select View all Outlook settings at the bottom.
- Go to General > RSS feeds.
- Under RSS feeds, you will see a list of subscribed feeds.
- Click the trash icon next to each feed to remove it.
- Alternatively, toggle off Automatically download enclosures if you want to keep feeds but stop downloads.
Note that Outlook on the web does not have a global disable option like the desktop app. You must remove each feed individually. Once removed, the feeds will stop appearing in your web inbox.
Method 4: Disable Rss Feeds In Outlook Mobile App
The Outlook mobile app for iOS and Android does not have a direct RSS setting. However, RSS feeds from your desktop sync to the mobile app. To stop them from showing:
- Open the Outlook app on your phone.
- Tap the menu icon (three lines) in the top-left corner.
- Scroll down to see your folder list.
- Look for any RSS feed folders (they may appear under “More” or “Other”).
- Tap and hold the folder name, then select Delete or Hide.
This only hides the folder on your mobile device. The feeds will still sync on your desktop unless you disable them there. For a complete solution, use the desktop method first.
Why Disable Rss Feeds In Outlook 365?
You might be wondering why you should bother disabling RSS feeds. Here are some common reasons:
- Reduce clutter: RSS feeds add extra folders that can make your inbox hard to navigate.
- Improve performance: Syncing many feeds can slow down Outlook, especially on older computers.
- Focus on email: RSS feed items look like emails but are not. They distract you from real messages.
- Stop unwanted downloads: Some feeds include large files or images that eat up bandwidth.
For most users, disabling RSS feeds is a simple way to streamline their Outlook experience. You can always subscribe to feeds using a dedicated RSS reader if you miss them.
How To Unsubscribe From Rss Feeds In Outlook 365
If you want to permanently stop a feed from ever appearing again, you should unsubscribe rather than just disable syncing. Here is how:
- In Outlook desktop, go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings.
- Click on the RSS Feeds tab.
- You will see a list of all subscribed feeds.
- Select a feed and click Remove.
- Confirm the removal.
This completely deletes the subscription. The feed will not appear again unless you manually add it later. This is the most thorough way to clean up your Outlook.
Common Issues When Disabling Rss Feeds
Sometimes disabling RSS feeds does not work as expected. Here are a few problems and fixes:
Feed Folders Still Appear After Disabling
If you unchecked the sync option but folders remain, try restarting Outlook. If that does not work, delete the folders manually as described in Method 2. Some folders may be hidden; check your folder view settings.
Rss Feeds Keep Reappearing
This can happen if you have multiple devices syncing the same account. Disable RSS feeds on all devices, especially your desktop. Also, check if your Exchange server has policies that force feed syncing.
Cannot Find The Rss Feeds Tab
In some versions of Outlook, the RSS Feeds tab is missing from Account Settings. This usually means your administrator has disabled RSS functionality. Contact your IT support for help.
Alternative Ways To Manage Rss Feeds
If you do not want to disable RSS feeds entirely, you can manage them better:
- Move feed folders: Drag RSS folders into a separate folder group to keep them out of the way.
- Turn off notifications: Right-click a feed folder, select Properties, and uncheck Display a New Mail Alert.
- Limit downloads: In RSS feed properties, set a limit on how many items to download.
These options let you keep feeds without the clutter. But if you want a clean inbox, disabling is still the best choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Disabling RSS Feeds Delete My Existing Subscriptions?
No, disabling syncing only stops new content from downloading. Your subscriptions remain saved in Outlook. To delete them, you must unsubscribe manually.
Can I Disable RSS Feeds For Only One Email Account?
Yes, in the desktop app, you can go to Account Settings > RSS Feeds and remove feeds tied to a specific account. However, the global sync option affects all accounts.
How Do I Re-enable RSS Feeds After Disabling Them?
Simply go back to File > Options > Advanced and check the box for Sync RSS Feeds to the Common Feed List. Your old folders may reappear.
Why Do I See RSS Feeds In Outlook If I Never Subscribed?
Some feeds are added automatically by Outlook or your organization. Check with your IT admin if you see unexpected feeds.
Does Disabling RSS Feeds Improve Outlook Performance?
Yes, especially if you have many feeds. Each feed requires background syncing, which uses CPU and network resources. Turning them off can speed up Outlook.
Final Thoughts On Disabling Rss Feeds
Learning how to disable RSS feeds in Outlook 365 is a small change that makes a big difference. Your inbox becomes cleaner, and you spend less time sorting through non-email items. The steps are simple and work across all versions of Outlook.
Remember that you can always re-enable feeds later if your needs change. For now, take a few minutes to follow the methods above. Your future self will thank you for a clutter-free inbox.
If you run into any issues, refer back to the FAQ or try restarting Outlook. Most problems are easy to fix. Now go ahead and disable those RSS feeds—you will wonder why you did not do it sooner.