How to Fix Outlook for Mac Error 1025: Too Many Folders
Question details
Users experience Error 1025 (Too Many Folders) when attempting to delete messages from an IMAP account.
- Product
- Microsoft Outlook
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Deleting emails or syncing folders on an IMAP account in Outlook for Mac.
- Observed behavior
- Outlook fails to delete messages, triggers an endless upload or sync loop with the Archive or Trash folder, and displays Error 1025 (Too Many Folders).
Verify whether you are using New Outlook or Legacy Outlook for Mac, and ensure you know your IMAP account password before proceeding.
Delete Messages and Empty Trash via Webmail
Bypass the Outlook synchronization loop by managing your emails directly through your email provider's web interface.
When Outlook for Mac gets stuck in a synchronization loop trying to move deleted IMAP messages to the trash or archive folder, the fastest resolution is to clear the stuck items directly from the server.
Open a web browser and sign in to your email provider's official webmail interface (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, or your custom host).
Locate the emails you were originally trying to delete in Outlook and delete them directly within the webmail interface.
Navigate to the Deleted Items or Trash folder in your webmail and permanently empty it to clear the server cache.
Close Outlook for Mac completely and reopen it. Allow a few minutes for the client to sync with the server's updated folder state.
Remove and Re-add the IMAP Account
If webmail deletion does not resolve the error, removing and re-adding your IMAP account forces Outlook to rebuild the folder structure.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What causes Error 1025 in Outlook for Mac?
Error 1025 typically occurs in IMAP accounts when the server has strict limits on folder creation, or when a synchronization glitch causes deleted items to continuously upload to an archive or trash folder without completing.
How do I check if I am using Legacy or New Outlook for Mac?
Open Outlook, click on the 'Outlook' menu in the top Apple menu bar, and look for 'New Outlook'. If it has a checkmark next to it, you are using the New Outlook interface. If not, you are on the Legacy version.
Will I lose my emails if I remove my IMAP account from Outlook?
No, IMAP emails are safely stored on your email provider's server and will redownload once you reconnect. However, any local items stored under 'On My Computer' (like local contacts or calendars) should be backed up before removing the account.
