How to delete an e-mail account or address

This page details the steps to delete an unused or unwanted e-mail account, not how to remove specific contacts. The answer to this question depends on the e-mail client or webmail service you use. Note that with many e-mail services, your account expires if it isn't used for a long time. To proceed, choose your e-mail client from the list below and follow the instructions.

Google Gmail

1. Open the My Account website and sign in if necessary.
2. On the left side of the screen, select Data & privacy.

3. Scroll down to the Data from apps and services you use section and, under Download or delete your data, click Delete a Google service.

4. Enter your Google password.
5. On the Delete a Google service page, locate the Gmail service and click the trash icon next to it.

6. Enter an alternative e-mail address, where Google can send the confirmation link to delete your Gmail account. Then click the Send verification email link.

7. Open the verification e-mail and click the provided link.
8. In the prompt, select Yes I want to delete my Gmail account.
9. Click Delete Gmail.
10. Click the button.

• How to recover a Google account.

Outlook.com (formerly Hotmail)

1. Open an Internet browser.
2. Go to the Microsoft Account Closure page.
3. Type your e-mail address and click the button.
4. Type your password and click the button.
5. If you haven't saved the option previously, you are prompted to verify your identity entering the last four digits of the phone number you used to sign up. Once you've entered that information, click button.
6. Enter the code and click the button.
7. Go through the bullet points to make sure you have properly prepared to close your account, then click the button.
8. You are prompted to go through a checklist and ensure you know what you are losing by closing the account.
9. Check the boxes and click the button.
10. Click the button.

Yahoo! Mail

1. Visit the Yahoo! account termination page.
2. Sign in to verify your Yahoo! e-mail account.
3. Read the disclosure, and click Continue delete my account at the bottom of the screen.

4. In the window, type your e-mail address and click the Yes, delete this account button.

5. Follow any additional prompts to finish deleting your account.

Aol Mail

1. Open you preferred Internet browser and visit the Aol account termination page.
2. Read through the account termination information and click the Continue delete my account button.

3. Type in your account's e-mail address, the click the Yes, delete this account button.

4. Follow any additional prompts to finish deleting your account.

Microsoft Outlook

Select your version of Microsoft Outlook below and follow the instructions to remove an e-mail address and account.

Outlook 2016 and later

1. Open Outlook.
2. In the upper-left corner of the screen, click File.
3. Select the Info option in the left navigation pane, if not already selected.
4. Under Account Information, click the Account Settings option, and select Account Settings in the drop-down menu.

5. In the Account Settings window, select the e-mail address you want to remove.
6. Click the Remove button above the list of e-mail accounts.

Outlook 2007, 2010, and 2013

1. Open Outlook.
2. In the upper-left corner of the screen, click File.
3. In the drop-down menu, click Info, then Account Settings, then Account Settings.

4. In the window, click the E-mail tab and select the address you want to remove.
5. Click the Remove button located above the accounts box.

Apple Mail

The most direct way to remove an e-mail account from Apple Mail in macOS is through Internet Accounts. If you're on an iMac or MacBook, follow the steps below.

1. At the top-left corner of the desktop screen, click the Apple icon.
2. Select System Settings from the Apple menu.

3. In the sidebar, scroll down and select Internet Accounts. Then, click the account you want to remove on the right side.

4. In the middle of the window, click the Delete Account button.

5. In the prompt, click the OK button to confirm the account deletion.

Mozilla Thunderbird

1. Open Thunderbird.
2. Near the top-right of the program window, click the Thunderbird menu (  ) icon.
3. In the menu, click Options and Account Settings.
4. On the left side of the screen, select the e-mail address you want to remove.
5. Click the Account Actions button.
6. In the drop-down menu, select Remove Account.
7. When prompted Are you sure you want to remove the account (account name) ?, click OK.
8. Click OK.