Microsoft Outlook add-ins are mini-applications that can enhance your efficiency with the email client. The right ones can turn Outlook into a hub of productivity, management, collaboration, and communication and ease your everyday tasks. However, knowing how to remove them is also essential, especially those causing Outlook issues or no longer needed. Hence, I will walk you through the processes to add or remove add-ins on different Outlook versions without hassles.
Add/Install Add-Ins in Outlook
Outlook has multiple versions and there is no one-step fit all to installing add-ins. Hence I will group the steps to accommodate different devices.
Install add-ins for Outlook (Classic)
In the ribbons, navigate to Home -> Get Add-ins or Store, depending on the version. Irrespective, you will be taken to the Office Store.
Browse through categories or search for a specific add-in in the Office Store. Then, click Add for free or Get it for the paid ones.
After installation, go to File -> Options -> Add-ins. Choose COM Add-ins and click Go.
Locate your new add-in and check the box next to it to activate it manually. Meanwhile, you can add custom add-ins by clicking Add from File or Add from URL in the manager.
Install add-in for Outlook (new)
Click on the Apps icon in the Action bar when reading an email or under the Message tab in the ribbons when composing.
Select Add Apps in the prompt to be redirected to the AppSource or Office Store. Search for the add-in or select any from the available options.
Click Add to install it in your Outlook. If it’s not available here, go to the app’s official website to download and install it. The new Outlook prioritizes web add-ins over COM add-ins.
Add add-in for Outlook Mac
Locate the toolbar, and go to the three dots(…) -> Get Add-ins. You can use the search box to find your Outlook add-ins or browse the options.
Select the Add button -> Continue. Depending on its use, the new add-in will typically be accessible in the New Event toolbar or New Message.
Install add-in for Outlook web app (OWA)
Log in to your Outlook account and navigate to Apps -> Add apps. This will prompt the Microsoft AppSource page. Select any add-ins and click Add or Get it now to purchase.
Select the account you want to use and follow the onscreen prompts to complete the purchase.
Alternatively, you can go to the Microsoft Office Store to install the add-in to the web application. Getting a Microsoft 365 subscription is essential to ease the linking process of your account and fast-track interaction with the various add-ins on the web app.
Remove Add-Ins From Outlook
I will provide the steps in line with each Outlook platform explained above to remove the add-ins.
Remove add-in from Outlook Classic
Go to File -> Options -> Add-Ins to open the Options menu. Here, You’ll see all your installed add-ins, including the COM and VSTO ones.
Select Go. Then, locate and uncheck the box beside the add-in, or click on it and select Remove. Close and reopen the Outlook app for changes to take effect.
In addition, you may need to remove the program file from your PC if the add-in is installed from the app’s website.
Uninstall add-in from Outlook New
To remove add-ins on the new Outlook, navigate to Apps -> Add apps -> Manage your apps. Locate the add-in and select More options(…) -> Remove.
Since Outlook New is more focused on Web integration, add-ins are easier to remove without issues.
Remove Outlook add-ins for Mac
Retrace your steps to the toolbar section and select the three dots (…) -> Get Add-ins.
Click My Add-ins. Select three dots (…) -> Remove. This automatically deletes the selected option from the email client.
Note: You can check out various ways to remove suspicious apps from your Mac.
Remove add-ins from the Outlook Web App
Removing add-ins on OWA is similar to the New Outlook. Navigate to Apps -> Add apps -> Manage your apps. Select the three dots(…) in the tile and click Remove.
Troubleshoot Stuck Add-Ins
Sometimes, removing add-ins may prove tricky as they keep reappearing or blatantly fail to uninstall. In such situations, try the following:
- Use Outlook in Safe Mode: This mode uses only the essential features, making it easier to force-remove all dysfunctional add-ins that may cause Outlook not to open. To launch, press Win + R to open Run. Type
outlook.exe /safeand click Enter. - Another option is to force delete keys related to the add-ins in the Registry. This is an extreme and risky option. Only attempt this if you have backed up all your PC data and are comfortable with registry edits. We have more comprehensive ways to troubleshoot common Outlook issues.
Whether you are an IT admin or a regular user, managing add-ins is essential for boosting your email experience. Despite add-ins benefits, you may occasionally need to keep them lean and mean if they’re affecting your work. Now that you know how to add and remove add-ins, you can start supercharging your email experience.
Image credit: Unsplash and all screenshots by Henderson Jayden Harper
