Office Settings & Configuration

How to Delete Folders and Categories in Outlook Left Pane

WPS Editor Oct 12, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to remove unused custom folders and categories from the left navigation pane in Microsoft Outlook to declutter their mailbox workspace.

How to Delete Folders and Categories in Outlook's Left Pane

Product: Microsoft Outlook
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Organizing the Outlook workspace by removing unnecessary folders and customized categories.
Observed behavior: Unwanted custom folders and categories clutter the left navigation pane and need to be permanently removed.

Before you start

Ensure that the custom folders you are about to delete do not contain any important emails, as deleting a folder will automatically move all of its contents to your Deleted Items or Trash folder.

Solution 1Recommended

Deleting Folders and Categories Using Outlook Options

Use the built-in right-click context menu to remove folders and navigate to Outlook's Advanced Settings to delete custom categories.

By default, Microsoft Outlook allows you to manage custom folders directly from the navigation pane, while managing categories requires accessing the main Options menu. Note that you cannot delete default system folders (such as Inbox or Sent Items).

Delete a Custom Folder

Locate the custom folder you want to remove in the left navigation pane of Outlook. Right-click the folder and select 'Delete Folder' from the drop-down context menu.

Confirm Folder Deletion

If a prompt appears asking you to confirm the action, click 'Yes'. The folder and all the emails stored inside it will be transferred to your Deleted Items folder.

Access Outlook Settings

To remove an unwanted category, click on 'File' in the top ribbon and select 'Options' to open the Outlook Options dialog box.

Delete a Category

In the Options window, click on 'Advanced' in the left sidebar. Scroll to find the 'Categories' or 'Color Categories' button, click it, select the category you wish to remove from the list, and click 'Delete'.

Deleting Folders and Categories Using Outlook Options

Outlook Version Differences: The exact menu names, such as 'Categories' versus 'Color Categories', and their locations may differ slightly depending on your specific version of Microsoft Outlook.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What happens to the emails inside a deleted folder in Outlook?

When you delete a custom folder, all the emails contained within it are moved to the 'Deleted Items' or 'Trash' folder. You can still recover them from there until the deleted items folder is permanently emptied.

Can I delete default Outlook folders like Inbox or Sent Items?

No, Microsoft Outlook does not allow you to delete default system folders such as Inbox, Sent Items, Drafts, or Deleted Items. You can only delete custom folders that you have manually created.

Will deleting a category remove the emails assigned to it?

No, deleting a category only removes the category tag from your master list. The emails that were previously tagged with that category will safely remain in your mailbox.

Why can't I find the Categories option in my Outlook settings?

The Categories feature might be restricted or located under a different menu depending on your email account type. For instance, IMAP accounts sometimes have limited category support compared to Microsoft Exchange accounts, which can hide the 'Color Categories' button.

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