# Deleting emails from the default cPanel account email address

> If your default cPanel account email address has filled up with junk, you can bulk-delete the messages via FTP.

Source: https://www.kualo.com/knowledgebase/email-basics/deleting-emails-from-the-default-cpanel-account-email-address
Updated: 2026-06-04

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If the default cPanel account email address has filled up with unwanted or junk mail, you can delete all of those messages in one go via FTP. It is important that you only remove the specific directory described below.

:::warning
This process is for advanced users only. If you are unsure at any point, raise a support ticket and we can handle it for you.
:::

## The mail directory structure

The default account mailbox is stored in a directory called `mail` within your home directory. Inside it you will find three subdirectories:

- `cur` - messages that have been seen by a mail client
- `new` - messages that have not yet been retrieved
- `tmp` - messages in the process of being delivered

These directories are created automatically when new mail arrives, so removing them will not cause a permanent problem - they will be recreated as soon as the next message is delivered.

## Deleting the emails

Connect to your account via FTP and navigate to the `mail` directory in your home folder. Delete the `cur` directory (and `new` if you also want to remove unread messages).

If you have shell access on a dedicated server, the full path is:

```bash
/usr/home/username/mail/cur
```

Replace `username` with your actual cPanel account username.

:::tip
If there are not a huge number of emails, you may want to download them first as a backup before deleting.
:::


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_Source: Kualo Knowledgebase — https://www.kualo.com/knowledgebase/email-basics/deleting-emails-from-the-default-cpanel-account-email-address · © Kualo Ltd._