Outlook Storage Full Despite Deleting Everything

Outlook storage doesn't just include your emails — it also counts calendar events, to-do lists, and other integrated features. Many users believe that clearing their inbox and deleted items is enough, but storage may still remain full due to data from other areas like the calendar and tasks.

I personally faced this issue and later discovered that a few emails with large attachments were consuming a significant portion of my storage. These attachments often go unnoticed but take up a lot of space.

So, make sure to identify and manage emails with large attachments to free up valuable storage space in Outlook.

I've had the same problem - when I go to delete any email from any folder it just reappears.

Can anyone help?

Hi, I've cleaned out my email and deleted everything in my Trash folder and it looks like everything is cleared, yet in my Outlook app still tells me I'm over the 5 GB limit and I cannot send or receive mails. I've waited 24 hours since the cleanup and I'm still locked out and being forced to buy Office 360. I just bought a lifetime license for Office Pro 2021 3 months ago. How do I fix it? 

mynameiskitty, Hi Kitty, if your Outlook is showing full storage despite deleting all emails, there might be other items consuming space. Here are some tips to help you:-

1. Try to Empty Deleted Items Folder for that you've deleted emails, they might still be in the Deleted Items folder. Empty this folder to free up space.
2. Check Other Outlook Folders for that ensure all other folders in Outlook (Sent Items, Drafts, Junk Email, etc.) are empty or have been cleared out.
3. Large attachments in emails can consume significant space. Go through emails and remove any large attachments.
4. Calendar, Tasks, and Notes for that check these sections to see if there are any items consuming space. Clear out unnecessary entries.
5. Compact Outlook data files (OST or PST) can become fragmented, leading to wasted space. Compact the data file to reclaim space:

   - Go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings.

   - Select the Data Files tab.

   - Choose the data file and click Settings.

   - Click Compact Now.

1. If you have multiple accounts synced with Outlook, check their storage settings. Sometimes, other synced accounts may contribute to the storage issue.
2. Archive Old data emails and data to reduce the size of the main data file. This moves older items to a separate archive file, freeing up space in the main data file.

Hope this will resolve your issue.

Hi mynameiskitty 

In New Outlook, you can check and empty your Deleted Folder and the recovery bin. To access and empty the recovery bin, complete the following steps.

• Click on Deleted Items, then Recover items from this folder.

• Press Control + A to select all, and a checkmark will appear next to all emails.
• If you are certain to PERMANENTLY delete emails, from the ribbon, click on Empty Folder
• Now, click on Go back to Deleted Items folder

If you find this information helpful, please mark it as the best response, which will assist others with the same question.

/Teresa
#traccreations4e