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Over time, cached data in Microsoft Outlook can accumulate and cause performance issues, glitches, or outdated information. Clearing the Outlook cache is an essential maintenance step that helps resolve these problems and ensures a smoother email experience. In this article, discover why clearing your cache matters and how you can do it safely and effectively.
How to Clear Your Outlook Cache Safely and Efficiently
Clearing your Outlook cache is a crucial troubleshooting and optimization step, particularly when you encounter issues like outdated contact suggestions, synchronization delays, or the display of obsolete content. As described on Wikipedia, cached files are temporary data stored locally to facilitate faster access to data and reduce server requests. However, over time, these files can accumulate, leading to performance degradation, increased storage use, and inconsistencies between local and server versions of data.
For Microsoft Outlook users, cache files support offline work and quick responses; but when cache grows too large or becomes corrupted, common symptoms include autocorrect errors, recurring synchronization alerts, or calendar entries not updating as expected. Clearing the cache addresses these issues by forcing Outlook to rebuild local data using up-to-date information from the server.
The process varies depending on the type of cache. To clear the autocomplete cache (which suggests emails as you type), click in the “To” field, press the down arrow, and use the ‘Delete’ key as unwanted suggestions appear. For a full reset, navigate to File > Options > Mail > Send Messages, then select ‘Empty Auto-Complete List’. For offline cache (.OST files), close Outlook, locate the file via Windows Explorer under C:\Users\[Username]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook, and delete the OST file associated with your profile; Outlook will build a fresh copy on restart. Clearing the forms cache—useful when forms fail to load or display errors—requires going to File > Options > Advanced > Developers section, and clicking ‘Custom Forms’ > ‘Manage Forms’, then selecting and clearing cache.
On Mac, access Finder, hold Option, and go to Library > Group Containers > UBF8T346G9.Office > Outlook > Outlook 15 Profiles. Delete files within the Data or Autocomplete folders relevant to caching. Always back up important data and ensure Outlook has completed any current sync activities before clearing cache files. Post-clearance, expect Outlook to re-sync data—potentially improving speed, but also using more bandwidth until fully updated—for both Windows and Mac users.
Conclusions
Clearing the Outlook cache is a straightforward process that enhances email performance, resolves various issues, and helps maintain up-to-date data. Regularly performing this action ensures Outlook continues to run smoothly. By understanding and applying the right steps, you can manage cache quickly, preventing common problems and keeping your email productivity high.