Introduction

This article explains how to clear Microsoft Outlook's cache and how to clear the auto-complete cache. Clearing your cache means that all the temporary files your browser or application has downloaded are deleted - it gives you a sort of 'clean slate'. This can help troubleshoot issues. Removing the cache in Outlook doesn't delete emails, contacts, or other useful information. Outlook automatically makes new cache files when you open it.

Clear the Outlook cache

1. Save any work and close Outlook.
2. Press Windows key+R.
3. In the Run dialog box, enter %localappdata%\Microsoft\Outlook and press Enter.
4. Double-click the RoamCache folder to view the cache files.
   
   
   
   • Note: Back up the cache files to another folder or external hard drive so that you can restore the files if something goes wrong.
5. To delete the cache files, press and hold the Shift key while selecting all of the files. Then press the Delete key, or right-click the highlighted files and select Delete.
   
    
6. If you're prompted to confirm the deletion, press Yes.

Clear the Outlook auto-complete cache

Note: If you only want to clear the auto-complete cache, either turn off the auto-complete so the cached data doesn't display or delete the auto-complete cache completely.

1. Open the Outlook application.
2. Go to the File tab and choose Options.
   
    
3. In the Outlook Options dialog box, select the Mail tab.
4. To turn off autocomplete, go to the Send messages section. Uncheck the box next to Use Auto-Complete List to suggest names when typing in the To, Cc, and Bcc lines.
   
    
5. If you want to clear the auto-complete cache without disabling the feature, select Empty Auto-Complete List. In the confirmation dialog box, select Yes.
   
    
6. In the Outlook Options dialog box, select OK.