When you delete messages from your Outlook inbox or another folder, the messages are moved to the Deleted Items folder. These deleted messages are stored in the Deleted Items folder until you empty the folder. You can manually empty the Deleted Items folder whenever you want, or you can have the Deleted Items folder empty automatically when you close Outlook. The instructions in this article apply to Outlook for Microsoft 365, Outlook 2019, Outlook 2016, Outlook 2013, Outlook 2010, and Outlook Online.
Automatically empty deleted items while Outlook is closed | Empty deleted items on close/exit.
You can manually empty the trash in Outlook at any time. Right-click the Deleted Items folder or the Trash folder and choose Empty Folder.
Configure an advanced setting if you want the Outlook application to automatically empty the Deleted Items folder or the Recycle Bin when you exit the app.
In the Outlook Options dialog box, select Advanced.
