outlook select and delete features

Question

outlook select and delete features

Connie Edgemon 0

The option to select multiple files in inbox, junk folder, etc is gone. I have 60+ junk items this morning. The block feature comes and goes. Please advise

Connie Edgemon 0 Reputation points

2026-10-30T02:27:21.17+00:00

I was able to get the check boxes back but not the option to bulk block junk emails.
Peter Hood 0 Reputation points

2026-11-04T13:10:42.32+00:00

That's not quite my (new) problem.

I typically select with "shift" dozens of messages... then I "skip" one I want to keep, then begin again with "shift" and keep adding to my (very lengthy) deletions, perhaps 100.

But now, I cannot no longer "skip" a particular message and keep going. If I do, my prior long list of selected messages "un-selects." This is a time consuming disaster and the view pane resets after each batch of deletions. Will need to stop using Outlook if I can't go back to linking groups of messages to delete without skipping the one occasional message I want to keep.
Stefan Blom 357.2K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2026-11-04T13:55:32.8966667+00:00

That's not quite my (new) problem.

@Peter Hood Please start a separate thread for your question. Use the Ask a question link. Good luck.

2 answers

Your answer

Connie Edgemon 0 Reputation points

2026-10-30T02:27:21.17+00:00

I was able to get the check boxes back but not the option to bulk block junk emails.
Peter Hood 0 Reputation points

2026-11-04T13:10:42.32+00:00

That's not quite my (new) problem.

I typically select with "shift" dozens of messages... then I "skip" one I want to keep, then begin again with "shift" and keep adding to my (very lengthy) deletions, perhaps 100.

But now, I cannot no longer "skip" a particular message and keep going. If I do, my prior long list of selected messages "un-selects." This is a time consuming disaster and the view pane resets after each batch of deletions. Will need to stop using Outlook if I can't go back to linking groups of messages to delete without skipping the one occasional message I want to keep.
Stefan Blom 357.2K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2026-11-04T13:55:32.8966667+00:00

That's not quite my (new) problem.

@Peter Hood Please start a separate thread for your question. Use the Ask a question link. Good luck.

Answer 1

Jeronimo Fuerte 48,530 Independent Advisor

To restore the selection checkboxes, open Outlook.com > Settings (gear icon) > Mail > Message list, then scroll down to Layout > How do you want messages to appear in the message list? and select Checkboxes instead of Sender images or Name only. This should display checkboxes beside individual messages and, in supported layouts, the checkbox near the folder name for selecting multiple emails. Alternatively, if you have Sender images enabled and prefer keeping the profile pictures visible, move your mouse pointer over the sender's profile picture or initials beside an email. The picture should temporarily change into a checkbox that you can select. Once you select a message, Outlook should enter selection mode, allowing you to select additional messages using their checkboxes. This is another way to select multiple emails without permanently changing your message list layout.

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Connie Edgemon 0 Reputation points

2026-10-30T02:42:42.6166667+00:00

I was able to recover the check boxes but not the function to delete all items in junk file at one time.
Jeronimo Fuerte 48,530 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-10-30T14:44:16.18+00:00

You mean you don't have the "Empty folder" option at the top? Or could you describe a little more, please

Answer 2

Click the Select icon—the small box at the right of the folder name above the message list—to restore the controls for selecting multiple messages.

Select and delete messages

Open Inbox, Junk Email, or another folder.
Click the Select box beside the folder name.
Check individual messages, or use the checkbox at the top to select all currently displayed messages.
Select Delete on the toolbar.

For the 60+ junk messages, the faster supported option is:

Select Junk Email in the folder list.
Select Delete all at the top.
Confirm the deletion. Microsoft documents Delete all as the bulk-empty command for this folder.^1^

Recent reports confirm that the always-visible checkboxes changed and that the selection control may need to be enabled or invoked explicitly.^2^

If you want checkboxes to remain visible

Check Settings → Mail → Layout for a Show checkboxes option. If that option is available in your current Outlook.com interface, enable it. Outlook.com interface changes can be rolled out at different times, so the setting may not yet appear identically for every account.

If it is unavailable, continue using the Select icon beside the folder name; that is the documented workaround for the disappeared checkbox column.

When Block disappears

Blocking is primarily a sender-level action, not a reliable bulk action for mixed messages. Use either method below:

From one message: right-click it and select Block → Block sender.
From settings: open Settings → Mail → Junk email, add the exact address under Blocked senders or its domain under Blocked domains, and select Save.^3^

Blocking does not prevent the sender from transmitting mail; Outlook moves future messages from that address or domain to Junk Email.^4^ If junk messages continually use different addresses, blocking each address will have limited value—use Report → Junk or Report → Phishing instead.

If the Select icon itself is absent after refreshing Outlook.com, check Microsoft’s current Outlook.com issue list, then use Help → Still need help? → Yes to contact Outlook.com Support.^5^

References