How to Sign Out of Microsoft Outlook: Step-by-Step Guide - Solve Your Tech (2024)

Learning how to sign out of Microsoft Outlook is straightforward. Simply go to the File tab, click on the Account Settings, and select Sign Out. You’ll be prompted to confirm, and once you do, you’ll be logged out of your Outlook account.

After signing out, you will no longer receive new emails in your Outlook application, and you won’t be able to send any emails from the account until you sign back in.

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Introduction

In the digital age, email is an essential tool for communication, both personally and professionally. Microsoft Outlook is one of the most popular email clients, used by millions of people worldwide. However, there are times when you need to sign out of your Outlook account, whether it’s for security reasons, troubleshooting, or simply because you’re using a shared computer.

Knowing how to sign out of Microsoft Outlook is crucial for maintaining your privacy and keeping your account secure. This guide will walk you through the steps to sign out of Outlook and explain the importance of doing so. It’s a simple process, but one that’s important to know for anyone who uses Outlook on a regular basis.

Related: How to Strikethrough Text in Microsoft Outlook

Step by Step Tutorial on How to Sign Out of Microsoft Outlook

Before diving into the steps, let’s clarify what signing out will accomplish. When you sign out of Outlook, you’re effectively disconnecting your account from the Outlook client. This means that new emails won’t be downloaded, and you won’t be able to send emails from that account until you sign back in.

Step 1: Open the File Tab

Start by opening the File tab in the upper-left corner of Outlook.

This tab is typically where you’ll find account options and other settings in Outlook.

Step 2: Click Account Settings

Once in the File tab, you’ll see a button for Account Settings; click on it.

This will open a dropdown menu with several options related to your Outlook account.

Step 3: Select Sign Out

In the Account Settings dropdown, select Sign Out.

This will prompt a window to confirm that you indeed want to sign out of your account.

Step 4: Confirm the Sign Out

After selecting Sign Out, you’ll be asked to confirm. Click ‘Yes’ to finish the process.

Once you confirm, Outlook will proceed to sign you out of your account.

Pros

BenefitExplanation
Enhanced SecuritySigning out of Outlook helps protect your account from unauthorized access, especially on shared computers.
TroubleshootingIf Outlook isn’t functioning properly, signing out and back in can sometimes resolve the issue.
Privacy ProtectionEnsures that no one else can read your emails or send emails on your behalf when you’re not using the client.

Cons

DrawbackExplanation
InconvenienceSigning out means needing to sign back in, which can be a hassle if you’re frequently checking your email.
Missed NotificationsYou won’t receive new email notifications until you sign back in.
Potential Data LossIf not done properly, there’s a small risk of losing unsaved emails or settings.

Additional Information

When you sign out of Microsoft Outlook, it’s important to know that any local data stored on the computer may still be accessible. This includes any downloaded emails, attachments, and calendar entries. To completely remove this data, you may need to take additional steps, such as clearing your Outlook cache or removing your profile. Additionally, if you’re using a web-based version of Outlook, signing out will close your session in the browser, but it’s always a good idea to also close your browser window for extra security, especially on shared computers. Remember, it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to email security!

Summary – How to Sign Out of Microsoft Outlook

  1. Open the File Tab
  2. Click Account Settings
  3. Select Sign Out
  4. Confirm the Sign Out

Frequently Asked Questions

Will signing out of Outlook delete my emails?

No, signing out of Outlook will not delete your emails. They are stored on the server and will be accessible once you sign back in.

Can I sign out of Outlook remotely?

Yes, if you’re using the web version, you can sign out of Outlook from any browser by accessing your account settings.

What should I do if I can’t sign out of Outlook?

If you’re having trouble signing out, try restarting Outlook or your computer. If the problem persists, you may need to seek further technical support.

Does signing out affect my calendar and contacts?

No, signing out will not affect your calendar or contacts. These are also stored on the server and will sync when you sign back in.

Can I sign out of Outlook on my mobile device?

Yes, you can sign out of Outlook on your mobile device by going to the app settings and selecting the sign-out option.

Conclusion

Knowing how to sign out of Microsoft Outlook is a simple yet essential skill to have. Whether it’s for security reasons, troubleshooting, or maintaining your privacy, the process is straightforward and quick. Always remember to sign out of your account, especially when using a shared or public computer, to keep your information safe.

If you ever find yourself in a bind and need to sign out but can’t remember how, just return to this guide for a quick refresher. Stay vigilant and happy emailing!

How to Sign Out of Microsoft Outlook: Step-by-Step Guide - Solve Your Tech (1)

Matthew Burleigh

Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.

After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.

His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.

Read his full bio here.

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How to Sign Out of Microsoft Outlook: Step-by-Step Guide - Solve Your Tech (2024)

FAQs

How to Sign Out of Microsoft Outlook: Step-by-Step Guide - Solve Your Tech? ›

In Outlook.com, select your account picture at the top of the screen. Select Sign out. Go to the Outlook.com sign-in page and select Sign in. Enter your email address or phone number and select Next.

How do I force sign out of Outlook? ›

To sign out everywhere
  1. Sign in to your Advanced security options on your Microsoft account security dashboard. Sign in.
  2. Scroll down to Sign me out and select Sign me out. Note: Sign out may take up to 24 hours.

How do I remove my account from Microsoft Outlook? ›

In classic Outlook for Windows, select File in the upper left corner of the screen. Select Account Settings > Account Settings. Select the account you want to delete, then select Remove. You'll see a message warning you that all offline cached content for this account will be deleted.

How do I log out of my Microsoft account from my laptop? ›

When you sign out, any open applications are closed, and unsaved work may be lost. It's always a good practice to save your work before signing out. To sign out of Windows, select Start , select your user picture or the Accounts icon, and select Sign out.

How do I reset my Microsoft Outlook account? ›

Go to the Recover your account page and follow the prompts. Enter your current password, enter your new password, and then select Save.

How do I sign out of my Outlook? ›

In Outlook.com, select your account picture at the top of the screen. Select Sign out. Go to the Outlook.com sign-in page and select Sign in. Enter your email address or phone number and select Next.

How do I turn off Microsoft login on my laptop? ›

To do this, press Win + R, type "netplwiz," and hit Enter. o Uncheck "Users must enter a username and password to use this computer."

How do I remove my Microsoft account from login? ›

Method 1: - Click the Start button, and then click Settings. - Click Accounts, scroll down, and then click the Microsoft account you would like to delete. - Click Remove, and then click Yes.

How to log out of computer with keyboard? ›

Ctrl + Alt + Del

Here you will have options to sign out or switch accounts between users.

How do I fix my Outlook account? ›

Choose Account Settings > Account Settings. On the Email tab, choose your account (profile), and then choose Repair.

How do I restart Microsoft Outlook? ›

Restart new Outlook
  1. Right-click Start and select Task Manager.
  2. Select Microsoft Outlook, then End task.
  3. Check to make sure that new Outlook is closed, then close Task Manager.
  4. After new Outlook closes, reopen the app as you normally would.

How do I find out my current Outlook password? ›

If Outlook isn't already running, start it now.
  1. View the “Account settings”. Click the File tab on the ribbon: ...
  2. Choose “Repair”. This opens a new window that looks like this: ...
  3. Choose “Let me repair my account manually”. ...
  4. View the password.

How do I get to out of Office in Outlook? ›

Try it!
  1. Select File > Automatic Replies. ...
  2. Select Send automatic replies.
  3. If you don't want the messages to go out right away, select Only send during this time range.
  4. Choose the dates and times you'd like to set your automatic reply for.
  5. Type in a message. ...
  6. Select OK.

How do I clear Outlook logging? ›

Turn logging on or off

If you don't turn off logging, the log files continue to increase in size. In Outlook, go to the File tab > Options > Advanced. Under Other, select or clear the Enable troubleshooting logging (requires restarting Outlook) check box. Exit and restart Outlook.

How do I turn off login in Outlook? ›

Changing Outlook Security Settings:
  1. Go into File > Info > Account Settings.
  2. Click Account Settings then the first option Account Settings...
  3. Click Change... on the Email tab.
  4. Click More Settings...
  5. Select the Security tab and untick the box that says Always prompt for logon credentials.

Why can't I sign out of Microsoft? ›

You may be signed in to another Microsoft online service, and it may be preventing you from signing out. If so, sign out of all Microsoft online services: Go to https://login.microsoftonline.com/logout.srf, and then sign out (if you aren't already signed out).

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