Start here: Run preview with Apply OFF before deleting or labeling anything in Gmail.
Cloud bulk tools move fast; Inbox Maid lets you preview every suggested action on your Windows PC before anything changes.
Why preview before you clean
Bulk delete and archive tools optimize for speed. That works until one receipt, contract, or family photo thread lands in Trash. Preview-first cleanup separates analysis from action: read-only runs show keep, review, and Trash candidates; apply runs only when you confirm.
Step-by-step: clean Gmail with Inbox Maid
- Install Inbox Maid on Windows 10 or 11 and activate your license.
- Add your OpenAI API key and connect Gmail through built-in sign-in.
- Run a preview on 25–50 messages with apply turned off.
- Open Review Results and scan Trash candidates carefully.
- When satisfied, enable apply and run again — or adjust settings and re-preview.
Tips for large inboxes
- Start small — 25 messages per preview until you trust the suggestions.
- Run previews on older mail first (filter by date in your query).
- Use undo from Run History if an applied Trash move was wrong.
- Read our Security page to understand Gmail scopes.
Local-first vs cloud cleaners
Web-based inbox cleaners typically process mail in their infrastructure. Inbox Maid runs on your machine — we do not operate centralized mailbox hosting. See Inbox Maid vs Clean Email for a detailed comparison.