Email deleting issues in Hotmail

RICHARD HILL 0 Reputation points
2026-09-16T22:42:43.2266667+00:00

Hello,

Maybe someone can help me. I seem to be having issues deleting emails in Outlook/Hotmail and Yahoo. When I try to delete more than a few emails, let's say 10, it freezes up, and anything that you click will not work- not even the Delete button or the trash can icon and you have to refresh every time. Now it is only 2 or 3. What is up? What am I doing wrong? HELP.

Thank you for your time

Richard H.

Windows for home | Other | Email and communications
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  1. AI answer

    2026-09-16T22:42:56.0366667+00:00

    For Outlook.com/Hotmail, this behavior is commonly seen when a large number of messages are being deleted at once.

    Try this sequence:

    1. Open the folder being cleaned up.
    2. Delete a smaller batch instead of 10 or more messages.
    3. If the messages move slowly or the page appears stuck, leave the browser window open for a while before refreshing.
    4. If deleting still fails, open Deleted Items and select Empty.
    5. Then select Recover items deleted from this folder at the top of the page and select Empty folder again.

    Important details:

    • If a lot of email was deleted recently, it can take time for items to move to or be removed from Deleted Items.
    • If email still fails to delete properly, use a smaller batch.
    • If deleted email comes back, try again later.
    • If Focused Inbox is enabled, Focused and Other inboxes must be emptied separately.
    • On mobile browsers, press and hold a message, tap Select All, then use the trash icon.

    If the issue is in classic Outlook for Windows with a POP account using Download Headers Only, there was a known crash when deleting 3 or more emails in Outlook for Microsoft 365 version 2006 build 13001.20266 and higher. That issue was fixed in Current Channel Version 2009 Build 13231.20262. In that case, update Outlook from File > Office Account > Update Options > Update Now.

    The Yahoo portion is not covered here.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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  2. Jeronimo Fuerte 46,010 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-09-16T23:29:38.64+00:00

    Sorry to hear that you are having trouble deleting your emails. One important detail in your description is that you are experiencing the same freezing behavior with both Hotmail/Outlook and Yahoo. Since these are two separate email services, could you please clarify the following?

    1. Are you accessing Hotmail through Outlook.com in a web browser, or through the Outlook application installed on Windows?
    2. Are you accessing Yahoo directly through the Yahoo Mail website, or is the Yahoo account also added to Outlook?
    3. Does the problem happen with both accounts on the same computer and in the same browser?
    4. Which browser are you using, and have you tried Edge and an InPrivate/Incognito window?

    As a first test, please open an InPrivate/Incognito window, sign in to Outlook.com, and try deleting several messages there.

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  3. RICHARD HILL 0 Reputation points
    2026-09-17T00:56:31.1233333+00:00

    Hello Jeronimo Fuerte

    I tried the InPrivate/Incognito, and it did it at first, but when I tried to delete more than 20, it froze, and I am accessing my Hotmail through Edge and signing in that way, and the Yahoo through Edge as well. Also I just tried to do it in Inprivate/Incognito and it did the same thing but only after 5 and this just started a couple of days ago. I do not not if it is my Malwaybytes, my Webroot. Do you have any ideas? Thanks for the help.

    Richard H.

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