Many Hotmail users are facing a confusing issue deleted emails but storage still full in Hotmail. This is a frustrating situation when you are waiting for a new message, but the inbox shows that storage is full. If you are also facing the same problem, then you will get the best solution here. Let’s read this post to go through the step-by-step process to resolve the Hotmail storage full after deleting everything issue.
Before proceeding to the solutions, let us know the reasons behind this problem.
Why is My Hotmail Storage Still Full After Deleting Everything?
Here are some common reasons behind deleting emails but storage still full in Hotmail issue:
- Deleted Emails aren’t Permanently Deleted: Deleting emails doesn’t make them disappear permanently. Sometimes they’re moved to the Deleted Items folder. If you empty this folder, the emails will still be present in your storage.
- Storage Information May be Out of Date: Sometimes, the storage system isn’t updated on time, causing Hotmail storage full after deleting everything issues even if you delete emails.
- Emails May Still be Contained in Other Folders: Your Hotmail account stores messages in various other folders, such as Inbox, Sent, Drafts, Junk, and Deleted Items. If you haven’t checked all of these folders, some emails will be taking up storage space.
How to Fix Deleted Emails But Storage Still Full in Hotmail?
This is a common issue, but the good news is that you can fix this Hotmail storage still full after deleting everything by following the steps listed below.
1. Empty Deleted Items Folder- When you delete emails, they move to the Deleted Items folder and stay there for up to 30 days, but it is still using your storage space. Here are the steps to remove them permanently:
- Sign in to your Hotmail (Outlook.com) account.
- Move to the Deleted Items folder.
- Select all emails and click on Empty folder.
- Confirm the action in the pop-up window by clicking OK.
You can follow the same process above to remove the junk emails folder, because it also takes up space.
2. Use Manage Storage Option: The Hotmail account provides you with a built-in tool to manage and clear out the old and large emails. Follow the steps below to achive this:
- Click on the Settings option in the top-right corner of your mailbox.
- Go to the General > Storage > Manage Storage.
- Click on Empty, then choose one of the clean-up options.
- Confirm by selecting OK when you empty the storage.
This option mostly targets emails in your Inbox, so be sure to check other folders manually.
3. Clear the Archive Folder: You can also clear your archive folder to resolve deleted emails but storage still full in Hotmail.
- Click on the Archive folder in your email list.
- You can select all the emails.
- Click on the Empty folder to permanently remove them.
So, by using these manual tips, you can resolve Hotmail storage still full after deleting everything. Make sure to also review other folders like Sent, Drafts, and custom folders, as they use the space in the storage.
Automated Solution to Fix Hotmail Storage Full After Deleting Everything
If you are facing the deleted emails but storage still full in Hotmail. You can use the Yota Hotmail Backup Wizard, this tool is the best option to backup all your emails from your Hotmail account. Then, you can safely delete them from your mailbox to clear up the space. This is a user-friendly tool to back up the entire mailbox, including attachments. You can use the free version that works perfectly on Windows 11 and other editions.
Steps to Download Hotmail Emails to Free Up Storage are:
- Download and install the tool on your PC.
- Afterward, click Open > Email Accounts > Add Account.

- Enter your Hotmail account email address and app password.

- Then click Export from the top and choose your desired file format (like PST, PDF, or MBOX).

- Select a location to store the backup and click on the Save button.
Conclusion
You are running out of space in your Hotmail account even after deleting emails can be annoying, but it is easy to fix this issue. The key way to understand where your storage is being used and take the right steps to permanently clear out unnecessary data. In this guide, we’ve provided the practical solutions to help you solve the “deleted emails but storage still full in Hotmail” issue.
