In today’s fast-paced digital world, email has become an indispensable tool for both personal and professional communication. Outlook, one of the most widely used email platforms, offers a convenient and efficient way to manage email accounts. However, there may come times when you need to log out of the Outlook app to protect your privacy or switch to a different account. Logging out of the Outlook app is a straightforward process that can be completed in just a few simple steps. Whether you’re using Outlook on your desktop computer or mobile device, this guide will provide you with clear instructions on how to log out of the Outlook app.
Before you begin the logout process, it’s important to understand the difference between signing out of the Outlook app and deleting your email account. Signing out of the app simply ends your current session, while deleting your account permanently removes it from the Outlook platform. Once you delete your account, you will no longer have access to your emails or other data associated with that account. If you’re unsure whether you want to sign out or delete your account, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and choose the sign-out option. Signing out of the Outlook app is a temporary measure that allows you to log back in later without losing any of your data.
The process for logging out of the Outlook app varies slightly depending on whether you’re using the desktop or mobile version of the app. However, the general steps are similar. To log out of the Outlook desktop app, simply click on the File tab in the top left corner of the window. Then, select the Account Settings option from the drop-down menu. In the Account Settings window, click on the Email tab and then select the account that you want to log out of. Finally, click on the Remove button and then click on the Yes button to confirm your choice. To log out of the Outlook mobile app, tap on the menu icon in the top left corner of the screen. Then, tap on the Settings option and select the Account tab. Tap on the account that you want to log out of and then tap on the Remove Account button. Finally, tap on the Yes button to confirm your choice.
Signing Out of Outlook Webmail on Different Browsers
Google Chrome
To sign out of Outlook Webmail in Google Chrome, follow these steps:
1. Click on your profile picture in the top-right corner of the browser window.
2. Select “Sign out” from the drop-down menu.
Mozilla Firefox
To sign out of Outlook Webmail in Mozilla Firefox, follow these steps:
1. Click on the “Menu” button in the top-right corner of the browser window.
2. Select “Sign out” from the drop-down menu.
Microsoft Edge
To sign out of Outlook Webmail in Microsoft Edge, follow these steps:
1. Click on the “Settings” button in the top-right corner of the browser window.
2. Select “Sign out” from the left-hand menu.
Safari
To sign out of Outlook Webmail in Safari, follow these steps:
1. Click on the “Safari” menu in the top-left corner of the browser window.
2. Select “Preferences” from the drop-down menu.
3. Click on the “AutoFill” tab.
4. Select “Edit” next to the “User names and passwords” section.
5. Find the entry for Outlook Webmail and click on the “Remove” button.
| Browser | Sign Out Method |
|---|---|
| Google Chrome | Click on profile picture > select "Sign out" |
| Mozilla Firefox | Click on "Menu" button > select "Sign out" |
| Microsoft Edge | Click on "Settings" button > select "Sign out" |
| Safari | Click on "Safari" menu > select "Preferences" > select "AutoFill" tab > select "Edit" next to "User names and passwords" section > find Outlook Webmail entry and click on "Remove" button |
Disconnecting Multiple Outlook Accounts
Having multiple Outlook accounts can be convenient, but sometimes you may need to log out of one or more of them. Here’s how to do it:
Open the Outlook app on your iPhone or iPad.
Tap the “Settings” icon in the bottom right corner.
Tap “Accounts”.
Tap the account you want to log out of.
Tap “Remove Account”.
Tap “Delete from this device” to confirm.
To log out of all of your Outlook accounts at once, follow these steps:
Open the Outlook app on your iPhone or iPad.
Tap the “Settings” icon in the bottom right corner.
Tap “Accounts”.
Tap “Edit”.
Tap “Log Out of All Accounts”.
Tap “Delete from this device” to confirm.
Table: Removing Accounts on Different Platforms
| Platform | Instructions |
|---|---|
| iOS and iPadOS | Navigate to Settings > Accounts > Select the account > Tap Remove Account |
| macOS | Open Outlook > Click on Outlook in the menu bar > Select Preferences > Tap on Accounts > Choose the account > Click on the minus button |
| Windows | Go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings > Select the account > Click on Remove |
| Web | Sign in to your Outlook account > Click on your profile picture in the top-right corner > Select Sign out |
Clearing Browser Cache and Cookies for Outlook
Clearing your browser’s cache and cookies can help resolve common Outlook app issues. Here’s a detailed guide on how to do it.
1. Chrome
Open Chrome, click the three dots in the top right, then select More tools > Clear browsing data.
2. Firefox
Open Firefox, click the three lines in the top right, then select Options > Privacy & Security > Clear Browsing Data.
3. Edge
Open Edge, click the three dots in the top right, then select Settings > Privacy, search and services > Clear browsing data.
4. Safari
Open Safari, then:
- On macOS, click the Safari menu, then select Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data.
- On iOS, tap Settings > Safari > Advanced > Website Data.
- On iPadOS, tap Settings > Safari, then scroll down to tap Website Data.
In the search bar, type “outlook.office.com” and tap the Remove button next to the Outlook entry.
Sign Out of Outlook App
To logout of the Outlook app, follow these steps:
- Open the Outlook app.
- Select your profile picture in the top right corner.
- Click the “Sign Out” option.
- Confirm that you want to sign out.
- Close the Outlook app.
Troubleshooting Outlook Logout Issues
Problem: I can’t sign out or my sign out never completes
If you’re having trouble signing out of Outlook, here are some things you can try:
- Make sure you have a stable internet connection.
- Restart the Outlook app.
- Clear the Outlook app’s cache.
- Reinstall the Outlook app.
- **Check the Outlook status page to see if there are any known issues with the Outlook service**.
To do this, go to the following website: https://status.office.com/
If there are any known issues, wait until the issues are resolved and then try signing out again.
Optimizing Outlook Performance Through Regular Logout
Logging out of the Outlook app when not in use can help optimize its performance and minimize issues. Here are the key reasons:
Improved Stability and Responsiveness
Regularly logging out clears temporary data, caches, and other temporary files that can accumulate in the app over time. This can improve stability, reduce crashes, and make the app more responsive.
Reduced Memory Consumption
When Outlook is running, it uses system memory to store temporary data and processes. By logging out, you free up this memory, which can improve the overall performance of your computer.
Improved Security
Logging out prevents unauthorized access to your Outlook account if your device is lost or stolen. It also helps prevent potential security breaches through phishing or malicious software.
Troubleshooting Issues
Logging out and back in again can often resolve common Outlook issues, such as syncing problems, data corruption, or crashes. It can restart the app and reset its settings, potentially fixing any underlying errors.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Logout of Outlook App
- Open the Outlook app on your device.
- Click or tap the "File" tab in the top-left corner of the window.
- Select "Account Settings" from the menu on the left.
- In the "Account Settings" window, select the "Email Accounts" tab.
- Highlight your Outlook account and click or tap the "Remove" button.
- Click or tap the "Yes" button in the confirmation dialog to remove your account.
- Restart the Outlook app to complete the logout process and optimize its performance.
Additional Notes:
- If you have multiple Outlook accounts set up in the app, you can remove each account individually by following the same steps.
- Logging out of Outlook may temporarily interrupt your email access until you log back in.
- It is recommended to log out of Outlook regularly, especially if you encounter performance issues or security concerns.
1. Check your settings
Start by reviewing your Outlook settings to ensure that the “Remember my login credentials” option is enabled. This will save your login information and prevent you from being automatically logged out.
2. Disable automatic sign-out
Some devices may have an automatic sign-out feature that logs you out of Outlook after a period of inactivity. To disable this feature, go to your Outlook settings and look for the “Sign me out after” option. Set it to “Never” to prevent automatic sign-out.
3. Use a trusted device
When accessing Outlook from a public or shared device, it’s always advisable to use a trusted device instead. This will minimize the risk of someone else accessing your account after you log out.
4. Clear your browsing data
If you’re experiencing frequent accidental logouts, try clearing your browser’s cache and cookies. This will remove any stored login credentials and force Outlook to re-authenticate your account.
5. Update your Outlook app
Ensure that you’re using the latest version of the Outlook app on your device. Regular updates often include security enhancements and bug fixes that may address issues related to accidental logouts.
6. Check for browser extensions
Some browser extensions may interfere with Outlook’s login process, leading to accidental logouts. Try disabling or removing any unnecessary extensions to see if that resolves the issue.
7. Contact Microsoft support
If you’ve exhausted all the recommended solutions and you’re still facing accidental logouts, don’t hesitate to contact Microsoft support for further assistance.
Tips for Avoiding Accidental Logout in Outlook
9. Utilize the keyboard shortcut
Instead of using the mouse to click the logout button, you can use the keyboard shortcut “Shift + Ctrl + O” to log out instantly. This method is quicker and reduces the chances of accidental logouts.
Deleting Cached Credentials From Credential Manager
1. Press the Windows key and type “Credential Manager”.
2. Select “Windows Credentials”.
3. Expand the “Outlook” section.
4. Click “Remove” for all Outlook credentials.
Clearing the Outlook Cache (Windows)
1. Close Outlook.
2. Press the Windows key and type “%appdata%\Microsoft\Outlook”.
3. Delete the “RoamCache” folder.
Clearing the Outlook Cache (Mac)
1. Quit Outlook.
2. Open Finder and navigate to “~/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/Outlook/Outlook 16 Profiles/
3. Delete the “Cache” folder.
Checking if Other Accounts Are Logged In
1. Open Outlook.
2. Click “File” > “Account Settings” > “Account Settings”.
3. Check if there are any other accounts listed under the “Email” tab.
Verifying a Successful Outlook Logout
Checking the Outlook Web App
1. Go to https://outlook.office365.com.
2. Try to log in with your Outlook credentials.
3. If you are not prompted to log in, you have successfully logged out of Outlook.
Checking the Mobile Outlook App
1. Open the Outlook app on your mobile device.
2. Tap on your profile picture in the top-left corner.
3. If you are not logged in, you will be prompted to enter your credentials.
Inspecting the local accounts on Mobile
1. Go to settings on your mobile device.
2. Tap on Accounts.
3. Tap on Outlook.
4. Make sure that you are not logged in.
Checking the Windows Registry (Windows)
1. Press the Windows key and type “regedit”.
2. Navigate to “HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\Profiles”.
3. Check if there are any profiles listed under this key. If there are, you have not successfully logged out of Outlook.
Checking the Outlook Autodiscover Redirect
1. Open a command prompt.
2. Run the following command:
nslookup -type=cname autodiscover.outlook.com
3. Check if the CNAME record points to “autodiscover.outlook.com”. If it does not, you may not be able to log out of Outlook.
Checking for Third-Party Add-Ins
1. Open Outlook.
2. Click “File” > “Options” > “Add-Ins”.
3. Check if there are any third-party add-ins enabled. If there are, disable them and restart Outlook.
How To Logout Of Outlook App
To log out of the Outlook app, follow these steps:
- Open the Outlook app.
- Tap the profile picture in the top left corner.
- Tap the “Sign out” button.
You will be logged out of the Outlook app and will be prompted to sign in again.
