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Remove "Outlook for Windows" app

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Works with Windows 10 and 11Works with Windows Vista, XP, 7, 8, 10, 11, and Windows Server 2008 or newer.
  • Single actionThis page belongs to a script, containing basic changes to achieve a task.
  • Windows onlyThis script improves your privacy on Windows
  • Impact: MediumSystem Functionality Loss Risk: Moderate
    This action improves privacy with minimal impact when you run the recommended script.
    This action improves privacy with some impact when you run the recommended script.
  • Batch (batchfile)These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.
  • 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 script removes the "Outlook for Windows" app from your system.

This app is known as:

It allows users to manage multiple email accounts and calendars in one interface 11. It's built on top of outlook.com (the web client) and functions as a web app rather than a traditional desktop application 12.

Microsoft distributes this app to all Windows editions through monthly security updates 2 12. It also appears pinned to the Start menu by default 9.

Outlook for Windows supports multiple email providers including Outlook.com, Gmail, Yahoo! Mail, and iCloud 11. It allows management of calendars from different accounts 11. It integrates with Microsoft ecosystem including OneDrive 11, Office apps 11, and Copilot AI 12 13. It offers customization options, scheduling features, and automated assistance 11.

This app replaces the older Windows Mail, Calendar, and People apps 2 3 5 7 11 12. Any local emails, calendar events, and contacts stored in these older apps will remain exportable after removal 3.

Microsoft collects your emails, calendar information, interests, and demographics to create a profile with your personally identifiable information 6.

The free version of Outlook displays advertisements alongside messages in your inbox 6 11. These ads appear every time you use the free version and may reappear even after dismissal 6. These advertisements track your activity using identifiers, cookies, and personalization techniques 6. The tracked data is shared with third-party companies that Microsoft partners with 6.

The app comes with full Copilot integration, Microsoft's AI assistant 12 13.

Through Copilot, Microsoft collects and stores:

  • User prompts and Copilot's responses, including citations to information used 13
  • Context from Microsoft Graph (emails, documents, chats) that users have permission to access 13
  • Generated queries sent to plugins when enabled 13

Microsoft also scans your data for abuse monitoring purposes 13.

Removing Outlook for Windows enhances your privacy by:

  • Eliminating ad tracking and data collection used for personalized advertisements 6
  • Preventing Microsoft from collecting and profiling your email usage patterns 6
  • Stopping collection of your prompts and data through Copilot integration 13
  • Removing an application that has access to your personal communications and calendar

This app requires extensive system privileges, including:

  • Access to all system resources 11
  • Ability to write registry entries and files that remain after uninstallation 11
  • Direct management of other apps 11
  • Internet connection access 11

These broad permissions increase potential security vulnerabilities on your system.

This application has had known vulnerabilities 4 10. One vulnerability allowed attackers to steal Windows passwords by sending specially crafted emails 4 10. While this specific issue was fixed through updates 4, it demonstrates how unused software can create security weaknesses on your system.

Removing this app frees up system resources and reduces background processes. This improves system performance on devices with limited specifications.

After removal, opening the Mail or Calendar apps may trigger reinstallation of the new Outlook app 2 7 8.

Microsoft Store Page

Caution

Removing this app will disable the default email client functionality on your system. If you need email functionality as an application, install an alternative email client before removing this app.

Technical Details​

This script deletes the app with ID Microsoft.OutlookForWindows 1 2 3 9 10 12. According to Microsoft documentation, on modern Windows releases, updates will not automatically reinstall this application once deleted 2. However, on older Windows versions, updates may reinstall it 2 13. Other scripts address this issue.

If you want to use this application later, you'll need to manually reinstall it through the Microsoft Store or a separate installer 3.

Overview of default preinstallation​

This app comes pre-installed on certain versions of Windows: 1 2 3 10 12

OSVersionExistence
Windows 1019H2❌
Windows 1020H2❌
Windows 1021H2❌
Windows 1022H2❌
Windows 1121H2❌
Windows 1122H2❌
Windows 1123H2❌
Windows 1124H2✅
Use with Caution

This script is only recommended if you understand its implications.

Some non-critical or features may no longer function correctly after running this script.

This script can be fully reversed to restore changes if something goes wrong.

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 three ways to apply:

Download script​

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

How to apply or restore "Remove "Outlook for Windows" app" using script​

  • ≈ 2 min to complete
  • Tools: Web Browser
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 5 instructions
  1. 1

    Download

    Download the script file by clicking on the   Apply protection  button above.
    Use   Undo protection button above to restore changes.
  2. 2

    Keep the file

    If warned by your browser, keep the file.
  3. 3

    Open

    Open the downloaded file.
  4. 4

    Exit

    Once it's done, press any key to exit the window.
  5. 5

    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
  • Free
  • Open-source
  • Popular
  • Offline/Online usage
Open privacy.sexy
Help

How to apply or restore "Remove "Outlook for Windows" app" 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 script name: Remove "Outlook for Windows" app
    2. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
  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.

Run commands​

Copy and run commands manually Requires technical knowledge
Apply changes
:: Uninstall 'Microsoft.OutlookForWindows' Store app
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "Get-AppxPackage 'Microsoft.OutlookForWindows' | Remove-AppxPackage"
:: Mark 'Microsoft.OutlookForWindows' as deprovisioned to block reinstall during Windows updates.
:: Create "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Appx\AppxAllUserStore\Deprovisioned\Microsoft.OutlookForWindows_8wekyb3d8bbwe" registry key
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$keyPath='HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Appx\AppxAllUserStore\Deprovisioned\Microsoft.OutlookForWindows_8wekyb3d8bbwe'; $registryHive = $keyPath.Split('\')[0]; $registryPath = "^""$($registryHive):$($keyPath.Substring($registryHive.Length))"^""; if (Test-Path $registryPath) { Write-Host "^""Skipping, no action needed, registry path `"^""$registryPath`"^"" already exists."^""; exit 0; }; try { New-Item -Path $registryPath -Force -ErrorAction Stop | Out-Null; Write-Host "^""Successfully created the registry key at path `"^""$registryPath`"^""."^""; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to create the registry key at path `"^""$registryPath`"^"": $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; }"
Help

How to apply or restore "Remove "Outlook for Windows" app" using commands​

  • ≈ 2 min to complete
  • Tools: Command Prompt
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • ≈ 3 instructions
 View step-by-step guide with screenshots
  1. 1

    Open Command Prompt

    Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
  2. 2

    Copy code

    Copy the code:
    Copy Apply Code Copy Revert Code
  3. 3

    Paste & run

    Paste the commands into Command Prompt and press Enter to run.

    Some changes require a system restart to take effect

Similar Guides​

Wider Goal​

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

— Remove Outlook

Same Goal​

Other guides in Remove Outlook 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.
Disable Outlook automatic installation
Disable Outlook automatic migration
Disable Outlook automatic redirection
Remove "Try the new Outlook" toggle
Disable Outlook preview prompts

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