To make Outlook 2013 empty the Deleted Items folder every time you close it, go to File > Options > Advanced, tick Empty Deleted Items folders when exiting under Outlook start and exit, and click OK. Items in Deleted Items are then permanently removed when you exit Outlook, so check the folder first if you sometimes rescue emails from it. Office 2013 reached end of support on April 11, 2023; the option is in the same place in classic Outlook for Microsoft 365.
Quick Answer
File > Options > Advanced > Outlook start and exit > tick Empty Deleted Items folders when exiting > OK.
Steps to Empty Deleted Items on Exit
- Click File > Options.
- Select Advanced.
- Under Outlook start and exit, tick Empty Deleted Items folders when exiting.
- Under Other, leave Prompt for confirmation before permanently deleting items ticked if you want a warning each time.
- Click OK.
Other Ways to Clear Deleted Items
| Method | How | When |
|---|---|---|
| Empty on exit | Advanced option above | Automatically |
| Empty now | Right-click Deleted Items > Empty Folder | Whenever you choose |
| Permanently delete one message | Select it and press Shift + Delete | Skips Deleted Items |
| Clean older items | File > Tools (or Cleanup Tools) > Mailbox Cleanup | To free space |
Troubleshooting
- Folder isn’t emptied: Outlook may still be running in the background or closed unexpectedly. Close it fully and check Task Manager.
- Need something you deleted: On Exchange or Microsoft 365 accounts, try Folder > Recover Deleted Items. How long items can be recovered depends on your account’s retention settings.
- Too many confirmation prompts: See stopping Outlook asking for confirmation.
- Outlook slow or bloated: See clearing the Outlook cache.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this delete items from my phone too?
For IMAP, Exchange and Microsoft 365 accounts, the folder is synced, so the items disappear on other devices as well.
Can I empty only one account’s folder on exit?
No. The option applies to all accounts. Empty individual folders manually instead.
Does it empty Junk Email too?
No. Only Deleted Items folders are emptied.
Summary
- Open File > Options > Advanced.
- Tick Empty Deleted Items folders when exiting.
- Keep the confirmation prompt if you want a warning.
- Recover items from the server if you delete something by mistake.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.