How to mass unsubscribe in Outlook

Outlook.com, the new Outlook for Windows, and the Outlook mobile app share a Subscriptions panel and a bulk-cleanup tool called Sweep. Classic Outlook desktop lacks the Subscriptions panel but has rules.

1. The Subscriptions panel

1. Open Settings (the gear icon).
2. Go to Mail, then Subscriptions. On some accounts this lives under Junk email or Manage subscriptions.
3. Outlook lists every sender it recognises as a mailing list. Click Unsubscribe on each one you want gone.

2. Unsubscribe from a message

Open a list email. Under the sender's name, Outlook shows an Unsubscribe link. Click it and confirm. On mobile, tap the three-dot menu on the message and choose Unsubscribe.

3. Sweep: bulk delete and keep it that way

Sweep is Outlook's standout feature. It deletes everything from a sender and can keep doing so automatically.

1. Select any message from the sender.
2. Click Sweep in the toolbar.
3. Pick one: delete all from this sender, delete all and block future messages, keep only the latest, or delete anything older than 10 days.
4. Tick the option to keep the rule running if you want it to repeat.

Sweep with "keep only the latest message" is ideal for daily deals and status digests you glance at but never keep.

4. Rules that skip the inbox

1. Settings, then Mail, then Rules, then Add new rule.
2. Condition: From contains the domain, or Subject includes a word.
3. Action: Move to a folder, or Delete.
4. Tick Run rule now to apply it to existing mail.

5. Block senders

Right-click a message, choose Block. Or go to Settings, Junk email, and add domains to Blocked senders and domains. Blocking a whole domain works well for retailers that rotate sending addresses.

Focused Inbox is not a filter

Focused Inbox hides low-priority mail in an "Other" tab but keeps it in your inbox. It reduces noise without reducing volume. Turn it on if you like it, but do not treat it as a substitute for unsubscribing.