The Mail app is the default email client in Windows 10 and 11. The Mail app was first introduced with Windows 8 and has been improved significantly in Windows 10 and 11. It supports not just Microsoft accounts but other webmail service accounts as well.
If the Mail does not sync your messages, does not open, or shows an error, resetting the app might fix the issue.
Reinstalling the Mail app is the best way to clear the Mail app data and fix all its issues. That said, resetting the Mail app is much easier than reinstalling it. Moreover, most of the problems can be resolved by resetting the Mail app. When you reset the Mail app in Windows 10 using this method, it will delete your sign-in details and all saved data by Mail on your device.
Resetting Windows 10’s Mail app
For Windows 11 directions, scroll down the page.
Important: The ability to reset Windows 10 apps is available in Windows 10 Anniversary or later builds. You must be running 14379 or later build of Windows 10 to reset apps. Type Winver.exe in the Start menu search and then press the Enter key to check your Windows 10 OS’s build number.
Step 1: Open the Settings app. There are multiple ways to open Settings, but the easiest way is to click on the Settings icon on the left side of the taskbar.
Step 2: When you see the Settings app, go to Apps > Apps & features page.
Step 3: Look for Mail and Calendar app entry and then click on the same to see Advanced options. Click the Advanced options link.
Step 5: Click on the Reset button. When you see the confirmation dialog box, click the Reset button again to clear all data and reset the Mail and Calendar app. Once the Reset is completed, you will see a check sign next to the Reset app.
Step 6: Launch the Mail app again, and enter your email account credentials to sync your messages again.
Steps to reset the Mail app in Windows 11
Step 1: Go to Windows 11 Settings > Apps > Installed apps page.
Step 2: Look for the Mail and Calendar app’s entry (Mail and Calendar are combined into one app). Click the three dots next to its entry and then click Advanced options.
Step 3: On the resulting page, scroll down to see the Reset section. Click the Reset button to reset the Mail app. Once the reset is done, you might need to add your email accounts again to the Mail app. The same section also offers an option to repair the Mail app. If resetting does not help fix the issue, you can try repairing it.
How to reset Windows 10 Store guide might also be of interest to you.
Keith Messinger says
The mail and calendar app has disappeared from my Windows 10.
James says
I hit the reset button 1 hour ago and it just keeps circling? I am unable to link my Google mail with Microsoft outlook mail account which is why I am trying this option. I am using a completely refurbished Dell OptiPlex 990 PC. As of writing this the app still has not reset but I was able to repair it first.
Jessica says
Emails I’ve tried to send went to outbox every time. I tried resetting the app but it didn’t help. So I uninstalled it but when I reinstalled the mail app the emails that were in outbox had gone. They hadn’t been sent either. Is there anyway to get them back? Thanks
benjamin guzman says
would this solution fix my problem with outlook email account that will not accept my password? I have changed the password, as recommended by att and microsfot, but it still won;t take the new one
I have windows 10 and Office professional plus 2016 and outlook email
I also saw an article that said to delete my email acount credentials undeer window credentials to slsove this problem
HELP..!!1
Ray says
I had backlog in my outbox that all either said “sending” or “still working on it”…
Problem solved, thanks!
admin says
M Nortern, those instructions work in 1809. I just checked. Please check again.
M Nortern says
Article out of date for recent builds. I have Version 1809 build 17763.253. The is no access to windows mail app from control panel
Martin Shapiro says
Thanks. That resolved the problem.
Andy James says
I kept getting a message to say the settings on one my accounts were out of date despite having apparently “fixed” it, and I also had an old notification number stuck on my task bar icon which wouldn’t shift. I was about to attempt to in-install and re-install the app when I found this link. Both problems are now resolved, many thanks.
mateusz says
thanks, that helped!
Alan Tiltman says
Thank you for posting this solution.
richard dixon says
there was no advanced setting in mail in settings!
Jon Thompson says
Brilliant, thank you. If only Microsoft staff had seen this, had me reinstalling Windows and all sorts when a simple reset was all that was needed. I didn’t even lose the emails and accounts.
Barrett Simms says
Fix my problem! Thanks for the tip.