How Do I Remove The Outlook Rule?

There are different methods for removing an Outlook rule depending on the platform you're using. You can delete a rule through the Outlook desktop application for Windows, the classic Outlook for Mac, the web-based version (Outlook.com), and the new Outlook for Windows.

On the Outlook desktop application for Windows

This method works for Microsoft 365, Outlook 2019, 2016, and 2013.

1. Open Outlook.
2. Navigate to the Home tab in the top ribbon.
3. In the "Move" section, click the Rules button.
4. Select Manage Rules & Alerts from the dropdown menu.
5. In the Rules and Alerts dialog box, select the email rule you want to delete.
6. Click the Delete icon (it looks like a trash can).
7. A confirmation dialog will appear. Click Yes to confirm.
8. Click Apply, and then OK to save your changes and close the window.

On the new Outlook for Windows

The latest version of Outlook for Windows has a different interface for managing rules.

1. Open Outlook.
2. Click the Settings icon (a gear) in the top-right corner of the window.
3. In the Settings sidebar, go to Mail > Rules.
4. Find the rule you wish to remove in the list.
5. Click the Delete icon (a trash can) next to the rule name.

On Outlook.com (web browser)

This process applies to Outlook accessed through a web browser.

1. Go to the Outlook.com website and log in.
2. Click the Settings icon (a gear) in the top-right corner.
3. In the search box that appears, type "Inbox rules" and select Inbox rules from the results.
4. In the Rules window, find the rule you want to remove.
5. Click the Delete icon (a trash can) next to the rule name.

On Outlook for Mac

If you are using the desktop application for macOS, the steps are slightly different.

1. Open Outlook on your Mac.
2. In the top menu, go to Tools > Rules.
3. Select the email account associated with the rule you want to delete.
4. Highlight the rule you want to remove.
5. Click the Delete button (represented by a minus - sign) at the bottom of the window.
6. Confirm the deletion when prompted and save your changes.

Important considerations

• Temporarily disabling a rule: If you only want to stop a rule temporarily, you can disable it instead of deleting it. In the Manage Rules & Alerts window on Windows, uncheck the box next to the rule's name. In Outlook.com, use the toggle switch next to the rule name.
• Checking the correct account: If you have multiple email accounts configured in Outlook, ensure you are managing the rules for the correct account. In the Rules and Alerts dialog box on the Windows desktop app, you can select the correct account from the dropdown menu at the top.
• What happens after deletion: Deleting a rule only prevents it from being applied to future incoming emails. It does not undo the actions that the rule has already performed on past emails. For example, if a rule moved emails to a specific folder, those messages will remain in that folder.
• Server-side vs. client-side rules: Some rules run on the email server, while others run on your computer. When you delete a rule, it is important to know that the deletion is final.
• Mobile apps: You cannot manage or delete rules directly from the Outlook mobile app. You must use the desktop application or the web version to perform this task.