How to reset Mail app on Windows 10

Windows 10 bundles several default apps, including the Mail app, which is the best experience to manage your email accounts. However, as most of Microsoft products these days, the Mail app is offered as a service, which means that it’s always considered a work in progress, which also means that throughout the life of the app you’re likely to come across more issues.

A lot of users often complain about emails not syncing, the Mail app not opening, problems adding new email accounts, and certain settings not working, among other issues. While many times the root of the problem could be related to account settings, almost always it’s an issue that can be resolved by resetting Mail app on Windows 10.

In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to use the Settings app to reset the Mail app on Windows 10. In addition, this guide will show you the steps to use PowerShell to reset the app by uninstalling the app from your computer, and then reinstall it again through the Microsoft Store.

• How to reset Mail app using Settings
• How to reset Mail app using PowerShell
• How to install missing Mail app packages on Windows 10

How to reset Mail app using Settings

To reset the Mail app using the Settings app, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.

2. Click on Apps.

3. Click on Apps & features.

4. Select the Mail and Calendar app from the list.

5. Click the Advanced options link.

   

6. Click the Reset button.

   

7. Click the Reset button again to confirm.

Once you’ve completed the steps, this reset option will permanently delete the app’s data, including settings, preferences, and sign-in details. 

How to reset Mail app using PowerShell

To reset the Mail and Calendar apps using this method, you’ll need to use PowerShell to remove the app and then use the Microsoft Store to reinstall it.

Uninstall Mail using PowerShell

To uninstall the built-in Mail app on Windows 10 with PowerShell, use these steps:

1. Open Start.

2. Search for PowerShell, right-click the result, and select the Run as administrator option.

   

3. Type the following command on PowerShell and press Enter:

   Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.windowscommunicationsapps | Remove-AppxPackage

   

4. Restart your computer.

Once you’ve completed the steps, you’ll need to reinstall both apps from the Microsoft Store using the instructions below.

Reinstalling Mail app using Microsoft Store

To reinstall the Mail app, use these steps:

1. Open Microsoft Store.

2. Search for “Mail and Calendar” and click the top result.

3. Click the Install button.

   

4. Launch the Mail app.

5. Continue with the on-screen directions to complete the setup.

After you have configured the Mail app, the email syncing problem, the Mail not opening issue, or any other issue should be resolved.

Another common problem that can affect the functionality of the Mail app (and Calendar) is the “Privacy” settings. If this is the case, you can try opening Settings > Privacy, and making sure under Calendar and Email, in both sections “Mail and Calendar” option are turned on.

How to install missing Mail app packages on Windows 10

If you’re experience problems trying to sync emails, or you’re unable to add new accounts after upgrading to a new version of Windows 10, it could be a problem with missing “Feature on Demand” packages.

This is a known issue and Microsoft recommends the following workaround:

1. Open Start.

2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the result, and click the Run as administrator option.

3. Type the following command and press Enter:

   dism /online /Add-Capability /CapabilityName:OneCoreUAP.OneSync~~~~0.0.1.0

4. Restart your computer.

5. Open Mail.

6. Click the Settings (gear) button in the bottom-left corner.

7. Click on Manage Accounts to see if the Account settings are available, which indicates that the packages has been added successfully.

After completing the steps, the Mail app should start working again. If the account is still not syncing, delete and re-add the account again on Mail Settings > Manage Accounts > Select the account, select Delete account from this device, and clicking the Delete option. Once the account is removed, select Add Account to add the account one more time.

Update February 6, 2019: This article has been updated to make sure it includes the latest changes and information.