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Remove Outlook

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Works with Windows 10 and 11Works with Windows Vista, XP, 7, 8, 10, 11, and Windows Server 2008 or newer.
  • Multiple actionsThis page belongs to a category, containing some changes with similar goal.
  • Windows onlyThis script improves your privacy on Windows
  • Impact: MinimumSystem Functionality Loss Risk: Low
    This action improves privacy with minimal impact when you run the recommended script.
  • Batch (batchfile)These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.
  • 6 scripts
  • Fully reversible

    You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using this website.

    The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.

Overview​

This category includes scripts to remove or disable Microsoft's new Outlook application, and prevent automatic migration or installation.

The new Outlook application is known as:

Outlook is the successor to the former Mail and Calendar apps 1 3 8 12. It fundamentally changes how email is handled compared to previous versions. Unlike traditional email clients that process data locally, the new Outlook sends all email data to Microsoft's cloud servers 1 3 4 5.

The new Outlook raises significant privacy issues:

  • All emails are processed and stored on Microsoft's servers rather than your local device, even for non-Microsoft email accounts (Gmail, iCloud, Yahoo, etc.) 1 2 3 4 5 11 14
  • When setting up any email account, your credentials are sent to Microsoft 1 2 4 13
  • For IMAP accounts, your email passwords are transferred to Microsoft 1 2 4 13 14
  • All data remains in Microsoft's cloud even if you switch back to classic Outlook 1 2 4
  • Microsoft's privacy policies allow them broad access to your data for "improving products and services" 1
  • Microsoft shares user data with numerous third-party partners (hundreds of partners) 4
  • Most emails sent through Outlook are not end-to-end encrypted, meaning Microsoft can access content 2 4 14
  • It includes AI features (Copilot) 15 which allows Microsoft to scan your data for content moderation 16

When your emails are stored in Microsoft's cloud instead of your device, they become accessible to government surveillance, vulnerable to security breaches, targeted by hackers, and potentially exposed to Microsoft's partners 2. This means your personal communications and sensitive information (like financial details or private conversations) no longer remain exclusively under your control. Even if you've never done anything wrong, your private information can be accessed, analyzed, or leaked without your knowledge or consent—unlike emails stored locally on your computer.

The new Outlook collects and processes:

  • Emails, calendars, and contacts from all connected accounts 1 4 13
  • User interests and demographics to create personalized profiles 4 5 6
  • Location data and device information 4 6
  • Usage patterns and interactions with the application 4

This data is used for:

  • Personalized advertising 4 5
  • Content personalization 4
  • Performance measurement 4
  • Audience insights 4
  • Precise geolocation 4
  • User identification through device scanning 4

The free version of the new Outlook includes advertisements that:

  • Appear alongside messages in your inbox 4 5 6
  • Track users through specific identifiers and cookies 5 6
  • Share tracking data with Microsoft's third-party partners 5 6
  • May reappear during sessions even after dismissal 6

Government bodies have raised concerns about the new Outlook and Microsoft services:

  • The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) found that the EU Commission violated GDPR regulations when using Microsoft 365 17 18
  • The German Data Protection Conference determined in 2022 that Microsoft 365 was not GDPR-compliant 17
  • The German Federal Commissioner for Data Protection called the data collection "alarming" 13

Microsoft distributes and promotes the new Outlook through:

  • Preinstallation on Windows systems 7
  • Monthly security updates 3
  • Start menu placement by default 1 3 7 9 14
  • Automatic redirection from old Outlook 8
  • Forced migration for Microsoft 365 users 10

The new Outlook requires extensive system permissions that increase security risks:

  • Access to all system resources on your device 5
  • Ability to write registry entries and files that persist after uninstallation 5
  • Direct management of other apps 5
  • Unrestricted internet connection access 5

These broad permissions create security vulnerabilities by giving the application access to sensitive areas of your system. The application has had documented security vulnerabilities in the past 19.

Removing or controlling the new Outlook:

  • Prevents Microsoft from collecting your email content, contacts, and credentials
  • Reduces tracking of your personal information and habits
  • Limits advertisement tracking
  • Reduces security risks by removing an application with extensive system privileges 5
  • Allows you to choose when and if you transition to cloud-based email
  • May improve system performance by preventing resource-intensive web technologies
  • Protects your privacy by keeping email data local rather than in Microsoft's cloud
  • Prevents AI scanning of your data

After applying scripts in this category, you can still choose to manually install and use the new Outlook if desired 9, making this an opt-in rather than opt-out choice.

Technical Details​

The new Outlook is fundamentally different from previous versions:

  • It is a web application built with JavaScript/HTML/CSS 12 rather than a traditional program
  • The classic Outlook was a compiled 32/64-bit executable application 12
  • The new version depends on Microsoft's cloud servers for all functionality 1 2 14
  • Settings are synchronized to the cloud by default at hourly intervals 11
Safe for General Use
This script has Normal protection level option. This is recommended for all users to improve without any noticeable impact on the system functionality.
Sources
PrivacyLearn.com maintains strict sourcing standards for accuracy, integrity and up-to-date content. Our content relies on authoritative sources including vendor documentation, industry standards, and verified research. Learn more about our verification process and quality standards in our editorial standards page.

Apply Now​

Choose one of two ways to apply:

Download script​

Download and run the script directly
  • No app needed
  • Offline usage
  • Easy-to-apply
  • Free
  • Open-source

Normal — Functional Privacy​

  • Recommended for all
  • Safe for daily use
  • No impact on system stability

Read more about Normal and other protection levels

Help

How to apply or restore "Remove Outlook" using script​

  • ≈ 2 min to complete
  • Tools: Web Browser
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 6 instructions
  1. 1

    Choose protection

    Choose one of the options with different impact levels:

    • Normal​

      Some safe scripts minimal system impact.

    • High​

      Some advanced scripts with high system impact.

    Learn more about protection levels

  2. 2

    Download

    Download the script file by clicking on the   Apply protection  button above.
    Use   Undo protection button above to restore changes.
  3. 3

    Keep the file

    If warned by your browser, keep the file.
  4. 4

    Open

    Open the downloaded file.
  5. 5

    Exit

    Once it's done, press any key to exit the window.
  6. 6

    Restart

    Restart your computer for all changes to take effect.

Apply with privacy.sexy​

Guided, automated application with safety checks
  • Recommended for most users
  • Includes safety checks
  • Shows the code
  • Free
  • Open-source
  • Popular
  • Offline/Online usage
Open privacy.sexy
Help

How to apply or restore "Remove Outlook" using privacy.sexy​

  • ≈ 3 min to complete
  • Tools: privacy.sexy
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 4 instructions
privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily with more advanced options.
  1. 1

    Open or download

    Open or download the desktop application
  2. 2

    Choose script

    1. Search for the category name: Remove Outlook
    2. Check the category by clicking on the checkbox of the category.

    Applying Normal to limit the impact.

  3. 3

    Run

    Click on ▶️ Run button at the bottom of the page.

    This button only appears on desktop version (recommended). On browser, use 💾 Save button.

Explore This Guide​

  • 6 Privacy settings

Choose what to protect based on your needs:This script already includes these options.
You can review, apply or reverse each option individually.
Click any option to learn more about what it does.

  • Some settings and commands may require technical knowledge to apply correctly.
  • Most users find the Normal protection above sufficient.

Similar Guides​

Wider Goal​

The guide below includes this guide to achieve a wider goal.See other more general settings that includes this one as one of its actions.
These plans combine multiple privacy settings, including this one, for stronger protection.
Visit category: Remove bloatware

Same Goal​

Other guides in Remove bloatware See settings that are in the same category as this guide.
Using other actions in the same category may help you achieve your goal better.
See all 11 guides

About the Creators​

These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:

  • Avatar of undergroundwires. The creator of PrivacyLearn and privacy.sexy. Black and white portrait showing a person wearing a polka dot tie and suit jacket, reflecting the professional expertise behind the privacy protection tools.
    • Certified security professional
    • 7+ years experience securing banks
    • Open-source developer since 2005
    • EU advisor, Public Speaker, Moderator
    • Hundreds across the globe
    • Testers, reviewers, developers
    • Companies, military agencies
    • Community since 2017
About Us

Reviewed By​

This guide has undergone comprehensive auditing and peer review:

  • Expert review by undergroundwires​

    • Verified technical accuracy and editorial standards
    • Assessed system impact and user privacy risks
    • Audited and verified using automated security tests

  • Public review by large community​

    • Privacy enthusiasts and professionals peer-reviewed
    • Millions of end-users tested across different environments
    • Audited and verified using third-party security software

History​

We continually monitor our guides, their impact and other potential privacy options. We update our guides when new information becomes available. On every update, we publicly store who made the change, what has been changed, why the change was made and when the change was made.

Review Change History Our Change Process