How to Clear Outlook Cache in Windows PC?

Outlook just like any other application consists of its own cache. These are temporary files that store temporary data of your Outlook account. However, this cache becomes problematic overtime if it’s not refreshed. It can start displaying outdated information, it can degrade Outlook’s performance and it can cause visual glitches. Therefore, deleting the outlook cache is a must to avoid these issues.

We have prepared this guide to help you clear all the unwanted files stored in the Outlook cache that prevents the application from running on its full potential. 

This guide won’t delete any of your emails, these temporary files are meant to be removed. So feel free to follow all three methods of clearing cache provided down below.

1. Delete the RoamCache folder

You can delete the RoamCache folder since Outlook is known to create new cache files each time you open the application. Below are the instructions guiding you to delete the Outlook RoamCache folder:

1. Open the Windows Explorer by pressing the Win +E keys together. 
2. Now, navigate to the following path in the File Explorer:

   %localappdata%\Microsoft\Outlook\RoamCache

3. If the folder has multiple cache files, you should delete them
4. Simply, press the  Ctrl +A keys together and press the Delete button.

   

5. This will delete all the cache files in the RoamCache folder. 

2. Clear the auto-complete cache

The Auto-Complete cache is a list that contains all the SMTP addresses, LegacyExchangeDN entries. This list saves the names of the accounts you sent an email to. For some cases, this data is unnecessary and requires to be deleted for a boost in the Outlook’s performance. You can delete this cache list with the instruction given below:

1. Press the Win key to go on the start menu.
2. Search “Outlook” and open the app.
3. Click on the “Files” option on the top left corner.
4. Open the Options above Exit. 

   

5. Select the “Mail” on the Outlook Options page.
6. Scroll down to the “Send messages” section.
7. Click on “Empty Auto-Complete list” button.
8. Confirm the action by clicking YES on the confirmation prompt.

   

9. Click OK and close the Outlook options page.
10. Doing so will clear all the cache in your Auto-complete list. 

3. Delete the cache from Windows PowerShell

You can also use a PowerShell script to completely remove Outlook cache from your Windows. Follow these steps:

1. Open the Windows start menu with the Win key.
2. Type “PowerShell” in the search bar.
3. Right-click on the app and click on “Run as administrator”.

   

4. Type the following command into the PowerShell to force delete the content outlook cache:

   Remove-Item "C:\Users\$env:UserName\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache\Content.Outlook\*" -Recurse -Force

5. After the command has been executed, restart your computer to make the changes.
6. Open the Windows start menu with the Win key.
7. Click on the Power option and select Restart.
   

   

These 3 ways should delete your Outlook cache, while you are at it. Feel free to delete your Windows temporary cache files as well.