Stop listing deleted folders in as an option in the Move To in Outlook?

Hi Peter,

In Outlook.com (web), a deleted folder isn’t removed immediately. Instead, it’s typically moved under Deleted Items (often as a subfolder). While it still exists there, it can continue to appear in the Move to (V) list.

What to do

• Go to Deleted Items and expand it to check for the deleted folder(s).
• Right‑click the deleted folder and select Delete again to permanently remove it.

Empty folder vs. Delete folder If you deleted many folders and want a faster cleanup, you can right‑click Deleted Items (the main/root folder) and choose Empty folder to remove everything under it at once.

Note: This permanently deletes all items and folders in Deleted Items, so only use this option if you’re sure nothing there is needed.

Helpful tip when using Move to (V) When the Move to pop‑up appears, start typing the first few letters of the destination folder. Outlook typically surfaces active folders first, which can help avoid selecting an old folder that still exists under Deleted Items.

Please let me know if this proves useful to you, or if you would like further assistance.

I'm looking forward to your reply.

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Outlook on the web continues to list deleted folders as move targets while they remain in the Deleted Items folder. Deleted folders are treated like any other folder there, so they stay available as destinations until they are permanently removed.

To stop deleted folders from appearing as options in Move To, permanently remove them from Deleted Items:

1. In Outlook on the web, go to the Deleted Items folder.
2. Expand Deleted Items so that the contents of deleted folders are visible, if needed.
3. Manually delete the specific folders you no longer want to see as move targets, or empty Deleted Items entirely.

After the folders are permanently deleted from Deleted Items, they will no longer appear in the Move To list.

If desired, Outlook on the web can be configured to automatically empty Deleted Items when signing out, which helps prevent old deleted folders from lingering:

1. At the top of the screen, select Settings.
2. For classic Outlook on the web:
   • Select Mail > Message handling.
   • Under Message options, select Empty my deleted items folder.
   • Select Save.
3. For the other experience described in the documentation:
   • Under Your app settings, select Mail.
   • Select Automatic processing > Message options > Empty the Deleted Items folder when I sign out.
   • Select Save.

Once the deleted folders are fully removed from Deleted Items, they will no longer be listed as destinations when moving messages.

References:

• Working with message folders in Outlook on the web