How to Uninstall Outlook on Mac: Complete Removal Without Lingering Files

Uninstalling Outlook on Mac shouldn’t leave behind half-installed files or hidden preferences. ⚡ I’ve removed it dozens of times—from my uncle’s old iMac in ’98 to my current MacBook—and the key is knowing where Outlook hides its traces.

Most guides stop at dragging the app to Trash, but that leaves behind configuration files that can cause login issues later.

The real cleanup happens in three places: the Applications folder, the hidden Library folders, and Microsoft’s auto-update cache. You’ll need about 10 minutes total, and I’ll walk you through each step with exact folder paths—no guessing required.

My dad used to say clean installs prevent 90% of future headaches, and this applies to Outlook too.

After following these steps, Outlook will be completely gone from your system, and you’ll verify it by checking for leftover files in ~/Library/Containers and ~/Library/Group Containers. This method works for Outlook 2016, 2019, and the free Microsoft Outlook app—no version left behind.

If Outlook won’t delete normally, we’ll force-quit it through Activity Monitor and manually remove its stubborn files. I’ve seen this happen when Outlook’s update process gets interrupted, and the fix is simpler than you’d think. Let’s get started—your Mac will thank you later.

What you need

Step-by-step instructions for removing Outlook from your Mac completely

Here's the foolproof method I use to wipe Outlook clean—no leftover folders or hidden preferences.

First, fully quit Outlook by right-clicking its icon in the Dock and selecting Quit. If it's already closed, skip ahead. Open Finder and navigate to Applications in the sidebar. You'll see Outlook listed there—drag it to the Trash icon in your Dock.

Empty the Trash immediately to complete the uninstall. This removes the main application but leaves behind support files and preferences that can cause issues later. I always do this first because it's the simplest part—no hidden folders yet, just the obvious cleanup.

Open Finder again and press Command + Shift + G to open the Go to Folder window. Type /Library/Microsoft and press Enter. You'll see folders like Outlook and User Data—delete both if they exist. These contain cached emails, settings, and temporary files.

Next, go to ~/Library/Containers (again using Go to Folder) and delete any folders starting with com.microsoft.Outlook. This removes the app's sandboxed data. Be careful here—only delete Outlook-related folders. If you're unsure, check the folder name carefully before deleting.

Open System Settings (macOS Ventura or later) or System Preferences (older macOS). Go to General > Login Items. Look for Outlook in the list and click the minus (-) button to remove it. This ensures Outlook won’t relaunch automatically during startup.

Next, open Terminal (Applications > Utilities) and run these commands one by one to remove leftover preference files: defaults delete com.microsoft.Outlook defaults delete com.microsoft.Outlook.plist Press Enter after each. These commands wipe Outlook's saved settings, including your email account configurations. If you plan to reinstall Outlook later, you’ll need to set up your accounts again.

If you used Outlook to sync with macOS Mail or Calendar, open Mail and go to Mail > Preferences > Accounts. Remove any Outlook-related accounts listed there. Repeat the same process in Calendar > Preferences > Accounts to remove Outlook's calendar subscriptions.

This step is optional but critical if you want a completely clean slate. Outlook sometimes leaves behind sync profiles that can cause conflicts when you reinstall or switch to another email client. I always do this last because it’s the most thorough cleanup—no surprises when you’re ready to move on.

Open Spotlight Search (press Command + Space) and type Outlook. If nothing appears, you’ve successfully removed all traces. For extra assurance, run this Terminal command: mdfind "kMDItemFSName == 'Outlook*'" If no results appear, Outlook is fully gone.

Reboot your Mac to finalize the cleanup. This ensures any lingering background processes are terminated. After rebooting, check your Dock and Applications folder one last time—Outlook should be completely invisible. You’ve now got a Mac free of Outlook’s leftover files.

Tips & tricks for completely removing Outlook from your Mac

Here's what I've learned from years of troubleshooting Outlook on Mac—these tricks ensure you don't miss any hidden files or preferences.

Backup First: Before you delete anything, create a backup of your Outlook data. Open Outlook, go to File > Open and Export > Import/Export, and export your emails to a .pst file. Store this backup on an external drive or cloud storage. I've seen too many people skip this step and lose important emails when they reinstall Outlook later.

Double-Check Hidden Folders: In Step 2, when deleting from /Library/Microsoft and ~/Library/Containers, don't stop at just the Outlook folders. Look for any files with names like Outlook or Microsoft—these could be leftover configuration files. I once missed a Microsoft User Data folder that caused Outlook to crash when I reinstalled it.

Terminal Commands Are Your Friend: The commands in Step 3 (defaults delete) are crucial because they remove system-wide preferences that might not be visible in Finder. Run these commands even if you don't see any obvious Outlook files left. I've seen cases where Outlook would still launch automatically after reinstall because these hidden preferences remained.

Optional: Deep Clean with Onyx: For the most thorough cleanup, download Onyx (a free system maintenance tool) and use its Cleaning > User & System Cache feature. Select Microsoft and Outlook from the lists and clean them. This removes any remaining cached data that might cause slowdowns when you reinstall. (This is completely optional but worth it if you're a perfectionist like me.)

Frequently asked questions

Got questions about uninstalling Outlook from your Mac? You’re not alone! Here are some of the most common concerns—and their straightforward answers—to help you breeze through the process.

Wrapping up and next steps

Uninstalling Outlook from your Mac doesn’t have to be a hassle—with the right steps, you can completely remove the app and its leftover files in no time. Whether you’re switching to another email client or just decluttering, following this guide ensures a clean slate. 🎉

Now that you’ve mastered the process, take a moment to explore your new setup. Ready to try a different email app? Check out alternatives or reinstall Outlook later if needed. Your Mac—and your inbox—will thank you!