Remove Favorites Folders in Outlook: Step-by-Step

This guide shows you how to remove the Favorites section (also called Favorites folders) from the navigation pane in Microsoft Outlook. This is useful if you prefer a cleaner interface or never use the shortcuts. You can remove individual folders or the entire Favorites section, and the change applies to your current view.

What You’ll Need

Microsoft Outlook installed (desktop version for Windows or Mac; steps are similar for most recent versions).
Access to your Outlook account (email, calendar, or contacts).

Step-by-Step

Open Outlook and go to the Mail view (click the envelope icon in the bottom-left corner on Windows, or the Mail icon in the sidebar on Mac).
Locate the Favorites section – it appears at the top of the folder pane on the left, usually with a header that says “Favorites” and contains shortcuts like your Inbox, Sent Items, or any folder you’ve added.
To remove a single favorite folder: Right-click on the folder name in the Favorites list. From the context menu, choose “Remove from Favorites” (or “Remove Favorite” on some versions). The folder disappears from Favorites but remains in its original location in the folder list.
To remove the entire Favorites section: Right-click on the “Favorites” header itself (the word “Favorites”). In the menu that appears, select “Remove from Favorites” or “Hide Favorites” (depending on your Outlook version). This removes all favorite shortcuts and hides the section.
If the right-click menu doesn’t show the option, try dragging the folder out of the Favorites area. Click and hold the folder, drag it down into the main folder list (below the Favorites section), and release. It will be removed from Favorites.
On Outlook for Mac: Right-click the favorite folder, choose “Remove from Favorites”. To hide the whole section, go to the Outlook menu, select Preferences → General, and uncheck “Show Favorites” (exact wording may vary by version).
After removing, the change is immediate. If you want to add folders back later, right-click any folder in the main list and choose “Add to Favorites”.

Common Mistakes

Deleting the original folder: Removing from Favorites does not delete the actual folder. If you accidentally delete the folder itself, you may lose emails – always confirm you’re right-clicking the shortcut in Favorites, not the real folder.
Expecting the change to sync: Favorites are a local interface setting. They won’t disappear on another device or in Outlook on the web. You need to remove them separately on each platform.
Right-clicking the wrong spot: Clicking on an email or folder in the main list won’t show the “Remove from Favorites” option. Make sure you click the item that appears under the “Favorites” header.
Using “Delete” instead of “Remove from Favorites”: On some versions, the context menu may show “Delete” – that will delete the folder itself, not just the shortcut. Always look for the “Remove from Favorites” wording.

Tips

Speed up navigation: If you’re removing Favorites because they clutter the pane, consider using the Folder pane settings to minimize it entirely. Go to View → Folder Pane → Minimized or Off.
Use search instead: If you rely on quick access, press Ctrl+E (Windows) or Cmd+Option+F (Mac) to jump to a folder using the search box – no need for Favorites.
Customize the folder pane: On Windows, you can also right-click the folder pane header and choose Options to control how many folders show in Favorites or to disable the section entirely.
Keyboard shortcut: On Windows, you can press Alt+Shift+1 (or similar) to toggle the folder pane, but this doesn’t specifically toggle Favorites. Use the right-click method for precise control.

Troubleshooting

“Remove from Favorites” is grayed out or missing: This can happen if you’re not in the Mail view (e.g., you’re in Calendar). Switch to Mail view first. Also, ensure you’re right-clicking the correct item – the shortcut under Favorites, not the actual folder in the list below.

The Favorites section reappears after restart: Some Outlook versions (especially with certain add-ins or corporate policies) may reset the interface. Check if you have an add-in that manages the folder pane. If so, disable it temporarily. Also, make sure you’re not in “Touch/Mobile” mode – switch to “Compact” or “Normal” mode via the View tab.

Changes don’t stick on Outlook for Mac: Try quitting Outlook completely (Cmd+Q) and reopening. If the issue persists, go to Outlook → Preferences → General and verify the “Show Favorites” checkbox is unchecked. If it’s still there, reset the navigation pane by going to View → Reset Folders (if available).

Favorites section is hidden but you want it back: Right-click the folder pane header (the area above “Favorites” or the folder list) and choose “Show Favorites” or go to View → Folder Pane → Options and check the box.

You removed a favorite but it still shows in the list: Sometimes the interface needs a refresh. Press F5 or restart Outlook. If it still appears, you may have multiple profiles – check if you’re looking at the correct email account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will removing favorites delete my emails? No. Favorites are just shortcuts. The actual folders and their contents remain untouched.

Can I remove only some favorites and keep others? Yes. Right-click each folder you want to remove and choose “Remove from Favorites.” The rest stay.

Does this work in Outlook on the web (OWA)? No. The Favorites feature in Outlook on the web is separate. You can hide it by clicking the three dots next to “Favorites” and selecting “Hide” or by collapsing the section.

Why does my Favorites section keep coming back after I remove it? This can happen if you’re using a shared computer with a roaming profile or if an administrator has set a policy. Check with your IT department if you’re on a work account.

Can I add a folder back after removing it? Yes. Right-click the folder in the main folder list and choose “Add to Favorites” (or “Show in Favorites”).

Does removing favorites affect other devices? No. Favorites are stored locally on each device. You’ll need to remove them on each computer or mobile app separately.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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