As Al notes, Gmail lets you select and delete only a screen’s worth of mail at a time. So how can you work past that? How can you bulk-delete Gmail messages?
The trick lies in creating a filter that deletes mail older than whatever date you specify. Here’s how:
1. Open your Web browser, head to Gmail, and sign into your account.
2. Next to the Search the Web button up top, click Create a filter.
3. In the "Has the words" field, type before:2010/01/01. That's just an example date; it would delete all messages received prior to January 1 of last year. You can use any date you want, as long as it conforms to the format YYYY/MM/DD.
4. Click Next step.
5. Check the box marked Delete it, then check the box for Also apply filter to ### conversations below. (Tip: If you want to preserve your mail while still getting it out of your inbox, choose Skip the inbox (Archive it) instead.)
6. Finally, click Create Filter. Depending on how many messages meet the filter criteria, the deletion process may take a minute or two.
Just make sure you really want to permanently delete all that mail. Unless you’re approaching your storage limit, the smarter move is to archive it instead. That way it’ll still be available when your run searches, but won’t clutter up your inbox.
Contributing Editor Rick Broida writes about business and consumer technology. Ask for help with your PC hassles at hasslefree@pcworld.com, or try the treasure trove of helpful folks in the PC World Community Forums.
How to Bulk-Delete Gmail Messages
Today's Best Tech Deals
Picked by PCWorld's Editors
Top Deals On Great Products
Picked by Techconnect's Editors
Note: When you purchase something after clicking links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. Read our affiliate link policy for more details.
Shop Tech Products at Amazon
Coupon Codes
-
Old Navy Coupon
Women's sweatshirts for as low as $15 + 20% off with Old Navy coupon
-
Prettylittlething Coupon Code
Get 60% PrettyLittleThing coupon code with newsletter sign up
-
Eastbay Promo Code
First Responders get 15% off at Eastbay
-
eBay Coupon
$10 eBay coupon for invited users
-
Target Promo Code
Up to 25% off sitewide - Target coupon
-
Toms coupon
Today's TOMS promo code: 20% off sitewide