Windows 10 or 11 Mail: 'Account already exists' (solutions)

This tutorial will teach you step by step how to solve the 'Account already exists' problem in the Windows 10 or 11 Mail app.

How to fix 'Account already exists' in Windows 10 or 11 Mail (solution 1)

Your email account may have already been set up but not yet set to sync. The following steps will show you how to check and change this setting.

  1. Open the Mail app.
  2. Click on the settings button (gear icon) located in the bottom left corner of the app.
    Windows Mail app settings button
  3. Click on Manage accounts.
    Windows Mail app manage accounts settings
  4. If your email account is listed here, then click on it. But, if your email account is not listed here, go to the second solution on this page.
    Windows Mail app email account
  5. A 'Account settings' window will appear and here you click on Change mailbox sync settings.
    Windows Mail app account settings
  6. Under Sync options, you must make sure that the toggle button under Email is switched On.
    Windows Mail app sync options
  7. Click on Done at the bottom of the window.
  8. Click on Save at the bottom of the window.

If this solution did not solve your problem, then try the second solution below.

How to fix 'Account already exists' in Windows 10 or 11 Mail (solution 2)

Another solution is to reset the Windows 'Mail' app in Windows 10 or 11.

Resetting the 'Mail' app will reinstall it and revert to its default settings.

This method will permanently delete the app's data on your PC, including your preferences and sign-in details.

  1. Click on the Windows start menu button.
    Windows 11 start menu button
  2. Type mail.
  3. Right-click on the Mail app when it appears in the search results.
  4. Click on App settings.
    Windows Mail app app settings
  5. Scroll down to the Reset section.
  6. Click on the Reset button.
    Reset the Windows Mail app
  7. A confirmation message will appear and here you click on the Reset button.

Windows 10 or 11 will now reset the 'Mail and Calendar' app.


Windows