Is your Outlook creating duplicate drafts? If so, then it can instantly make your well organized emailing task into major confusing problem. One might have noticed that there are multiple copies of same message in drafts folder with slight changes. This error may be much more frustrating when your Outlook profile is configured on multiple devices or even when mailbox is synced via Exchange or IMAP settings.
However, these duplicate drafts in mailbox does not always indicate as damaged mailbox. Moreover, this unexpected issue can occur for several reasons, such as synchronization errors, Outlook profiles configured on multiple devices, using some third party add ins, or issues with your data file.
But right start is to identify why Outlook keeps creating duplicate drafts, and then how to remove already created duplicate drafts in Outlook. Thus, this guide will explain all possible troubleshooting approaches before cleaning them up using an automated method. Without wasting any further time, let’s begin article by understanding what these double drafts actually mean.
What Does Outlook Creating Duplicate Drafts Mean?
It means that when same message appears more than once in your drafts folder. For example, when user composes an email, and later they find more than one version of it.
These duplicate drafts could be similar or even one might include newer information than another. In this case, many users may lose latest edition of their composed emails if they delete them without checking information in their drafts.
This problem could occur with any version of Outlook, such as Desktop, Web (OWA), or even with new version. Most of the time, it is due to synchronization problem across Outlook profiles configured on multiple devices, or problem with server or local end. This syncing error affects not only drafts folder but also sent and other mailbox folders.
Now let’s discuss some more reasons behind occurrence of duplicate Outlook drafts.
Why Is My Outlook Keeps Creating Duplicate Drafts?
In this section, we have listed many reasons as no single reason could be solely responsible for same. It will depend on your email account, its version, and where your mailbox is configured.
Here are some of reasons mentioned below:
- Outlook Synchronization Problem
- Same Outlook Profile Configured on Multiple Devices
- Wrong IMAP Folder Mapping
- Damaged or Corrupted Outlook Account
- Use of Third Party Add Ins
- Poor Internet Connection While Syncing
How to Stop “Outlook Creating Duplicate Drafts” Error?
To process any action, such as deleting important data, users should try these troubleshooting steps once.
Step 1: Check Drafts Folder
Open your draft folder and check if:
- Each draft got duplicated
- Created copies have different modification times
- Redundant drafts occur only at time of synchronization
- Only some specific messages are repeated
- Other editions include different email body
Step 2: Check Outlook on Web (OWA)
Open your mailbox online via your provider’s website interface and then compare draft folder with created draft message in your classic Outlook.
If duplicates are present in both destinations, then problem might be occurring in cloud or at server mailbox. However, if it is only displayed at desktop level, then users should monitor their Outlook profile or its data files.
Step 3: Review Different Devices
For some time, stop using mailbox from any third party Outlook installations or from your other devices, such as mobile devices. Further, compose new test message from single device only.
If double draft does not show, then gradually connect your other device again to check where problem is originally coming from.
Step 4: Verify Syncronization Error
Users can look for syncing problem when duplicate drafts appear. This conflict can provide users with an important tip when their mailbox synchronization does not work as expected.
Step 5: Turn Off Unwanted Add Ins
You can disable applied third party extensions temporarily and determine whether duplicate drafts continue to be generated.
Step 6: Test with New Profile
If this issue remains only in your current Outlook account, then it is time to make new profile so that it can help you to lessen any problems related to configuring profile.
How to Remove Duplicate Drafts in Outlook – Practical Methods
After stopping Outlook creating duplicate drafts cause, it is high time to remove other existing draft copies. We recommend manual technique for small number of duplicate drafts, as it is much easier and safer method. However, for large volume or bulk deletion of redundant composed messages, using an automated method is best option user can choose.
Here we have listed below:
Method 1: Compare & Delete Duplicate Drafts
Users should determine their draft folder using multiple filter options, such as
- Subject
- Modifed Date
- Sender or Recipient
- Time
- Mail Body
- Attached Files
Here, one has to keep latest version, which contains correct information, and remove rest of copies of draft email.
Note: Do not assume that if you have two drafts that are identical just because they have same subject or date. Instead of doing this, one has to check each composed email as some may include different or updated information compared to earlier edition.
Method 2: Sort Draft Folder
One can sort their composed emails using some filters such as subject, mail body, modified date, etc. This allows users to identify identical drafts more easily.
For Example, if you have composed an email as:
- Team Meeting – 01:03 PM
- Team Meeting – 01:05 PM
- Team Meeting – 01:08 PM
One can open drafts and check actual composed message to find latest edition. Once you have verified correct version, then delete other copies of drafts.
Method 3: Use Built In Cleanup Tool
Outlook offers an advanced feature for cleaning up duplicates for better mailbox management. However, one should use this tool with extra care, as there is risk of data loss for data saved as draft.
In case of small mailbox, users can manually delete selected redundant drafts after checking their composed messages.
Look at steps listed below to remove duplicate drafts in Outlook manually.
- Open Drafts > Sort Messages > Choose Same Draft Messages > Press Delete Button.
What If Outlook Created Multiple Duplicate Drafts?
In that case, where Outlook has generated hundreds of copies of composed messages, then your manual cleaning tool will not help you much. Also, there will be high risk of losing draft emails and of wasting time deleting them manually.
Thus, for such cases, we recommend using SysTools Outlook Duplicate Remover Tool. This dedicated tool will help users apply 14+ advanced filters, such as Subject, Mail Body, Date, etc., and remove duplicate drafts already in Outlook mailbox. One can download free demo version to delete multiple identical composed messages, which prevents Outlook creating duplicate drafts error and ensures proper email management.
This professional software supports both Windows and Mac systems. Users are requested to install solution according to their operating system.
Prevent Outlook Keeps Creating Duplicate Drafts Error – Expert Tips
After using all techniques, now users should follow these preventive tips listed below to ensure effective email management.
- Users are allowed to keep only single Outlook profile for testing when troubleshooting syncing conflicts.
- Avoid making any changes to same profile configured on different devices simultaneously.
- Check your network connection before saving or composing drafts.
- Disable all unwanted or third party add ins that let Outlook creating duplicate drafts.
- Determine your Outlook account regularly and ensure no errors affect your profile.
- Lastly, take backup of your important data before making any changes to your profile.
Common Questions Asked by Outlook Users
Q.1 Why is My Outlook Creating Duplicate Drafts?
A. These errors might appear due to:
- Synchronization problems
- Configuring same Outlook profile on multiple devices
- Wrong folder mapping
- Using third party add ins
- Internet fluctuation
Q.2 Why Does Outlook Keeps Creating Duplicate Draft Messages After Deleting Them?
A. This problem happens when syncing or configuring conflicts remain in your mailbox. So, eliminating drafts alone is not solution to stop main cause. One has to fix Outlook errors to manage mailbox properly.
Q.3 Can I Manually Delete Duplicate Drafts in Outlook Mailbox?
A. Yes, one can only remove identical draft emails manually if you have small number of duplicates in your mailbox. Otherwise, it can be riskier and very time taking process for other duplicate drafts.
Q.4 How Will I Remove If I have Hundreds of Same Composed Emails?
A. In case of multiple generated similar drafts, we recommend using expert suggested solution. This will help you by filtering your messages in bulk and removing other duplicate drafts from Outlook.
Conclusion
In this article, we discovered that when Outlook creating duplicate drafts, then best technique is not to quickly clean all identical composed messages. But first, user must verify why they were created, and later how these duplicates can be removed.
If you have small mailbox containing double drafts, comparing and deleting them manually can be more effective. However, for bulk or large number of draft emails, we recommend using automated solution mentioned above to easily filter out newer versions with all correct information and delete other duplicate drafts from Outlook.
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