How to Delete 100,000 Emails From Gmail in Two Days

On February 25, 2026 By newsroom Topic: Technology Buyers Guide

Cleaning out a bloated Gmail inbox can feel daunting, but it’s easier than you think. Follow this step-by-step guide to reclaim storage space and possibly save money by avoiding paid cloud storage subscriptions.

1. Use Gmail’s Tools for Deleting Emails

Storage Manager (Quick Cleanup)

What It Does: Identifies large files like PDFs or images across your Google services.
How to Use It:
Visit Google Storage Manager.
Delete oversized files you no longer need.
Results: Frees up space quickly but won’t eliminate email clutter.

Gmail Filter Tool (Bulk Email Deletion)

What It Does: Lets you filter and delete emails based on specific criteria.
Steps:
Search for Target Emails: Use specific terms like “Old Navy,” “eBay order update,” or “GrubHub delivery” in Gmail’s search bar.
Refine the Search (Optional): Use Advanced Search to narrow results by date, file size, or presence of attachments.
Create a Filter:
- Click the filter icon on the right side of the search bar.
- Define your filter criteria and select "Delete It" for matching emails.
Delete in Batches: Avoid deleting more than 1,000 emails at a time to prevent errors.

2. Manage Gmail Filters

After Deleting Emails:
Remove filters to prevent future emails from being automatically deleted.
Go to Settings > Filters and Blocked Addresses to manage or delete filters.

3. Tackle Email Clutter Systematically

Effective Search Terms

Use broad keywords (e.g., company names, email domains).
Examples: “[email protected],” “[email protected],” or “[email protected].”

Sort by Size

Search for large emails:
Type size:10M in the search bar to find emails 10MB or larger.
Adjust the number (e.g., 5M or 20M) for different sizes.

Batch Deletion Strategy

Delete emails in manageable groups (up to 1,000 at a time).
Review results to avoid accidentally deleting important emails.

4. Lessons Learned and Tips for Inbox Maintenance

Be Selective About Newsletters

Only subscribe to emails you truly want to read.
Regularly unsubscribe from irrelevant newsletters.

Regular Cleanup

Schedule monthly or quarterly email purges to keep your inbox manageable.

Optimize Gmail Storage

Regularly delete outdated emails, large attachments, and promotional emails.
Empty the Trash folder after deleting to ensure emails are permanently removed.

Results: Space Saved and Emails Deleted

Deleted Emails: Over 100,000 in 2 days.
Storage Reclaimed: Reduced Gmail storage from 20GB to 13.12GB, staying under the free 15GB limit.

By following these steps, you can declutter your inbox, avoid storage fees, and maintain a cleaner, more organized Gmail account.