Clearing Outlook’s cache in Windows 10 is kind of weird, but it actually helps fix problems like sluggish performance, outdated info showing up, or occasional freezes. Sometimes, Outlook gets cluttered with temporary files that just don’t want to go away on their own, and a quick cache refresh can do wonders. This process, on some setups, feels smoother after a reboot, and other times it might need you to repeat the steps a couple of times before it really clears out, but hey, it’s worth a shot.
How to Clear Outlook Cache in Windows 10
Open the Outlook cache folder manually
When Outlook starts acting weird—slow loading, wrong emails showing, or just laggy—it’s usually due to corrupt or bloated cache files. Since Outlook stores these temp files in the AppData folder, clearing them can coax Outlook into acting normal again. And no, this doesn’t mean deleting your emails, just the cache files. Still, it’s good practice to back up your emails or ensure your account syncs properly beforehand.
Locate and delete the cache files
- Close Outlook completely — make sure it’s not running in the background.*
- Press Win + R, then type
%appdata%\Microsoft\Outlookand hit Enter. This shortcut opens the folder where Outlook stores cache files. - Find the folder named RoamCache. It’s usually inside that directory.
- Just delete the whole RoamCache folder. Yep, it’s safe—the application will recreate it fresh when you restart Outlook.
On some machines, deleting cache files isn’t enough, especially if Outlook’s still acting up afterwards. If issues persist, consider doing a repair install or even resetting Outlook’s profile, but this simple cache flush works pretty well most of the time.
Restart Outlook and let it rebuild the cache
Open Outlook again, and it’ll automatically generate new cache files. This new start usually results in less lag and fresh data, with any suspicious glitches gone. Not sure why it works, but on this one machine it took a restart and cache clearing to fix a stubborn sync error, but on another, just deleting the cache alone did the job.
Tips for Clearing Outlook Cache in Windows 10
- Always back up your Outlook data before messing with cache files—better safe than sorry.
- Regular clearing, maybe every 3-6 months, isn’t a bad idea if Outlook gets sluggish.
- If you’re still having trouble after this, check for Office updates or run the Office repair tool from Settings > Apps > Microsoft Office > Modify.
- Scan for malware, because sometimes weird Outlook issues are caused by malicious stuff, not cache.
- Getting familiar with hidden folders always helps if you want to troubleshoot faster in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is the Outlook cache?
Those are temporary files Outlook dumps to speed things up — like local copies of recent emails or address book info. Think of it as Outlook’s quick-access memory.
Why do I need to clear it?
If Outlook starts acting strange, slowing down, or shows wrong email data, clearing cache often fixes it by forcing Outlook to rebuild fresh data.
Will I lose my emails if I clear the cache?
Nope. Your emails are stored on the server or local PST files. Clearing cache just removes those temporary files, not actual email data.
Can I automate this process?
Not really, since Outlook doesn’t have built-in auto-cache clearing. But you could set a reminder or script the process if you’re into that sort of thing—literally just deleting the RoamCache folder regularly.
How often should I do this?
Every few months or whenever Outlook acts up is enough; no need to obsess over it daily.
Summary
- Close Outlook completely.
- Open the AppData folder with %appdata%\Microsoft\Outlook.
- Delete the RoamCache folder.
- Restart Outlook to rebuild everything fresh.
Wrap-up
This whole thing is pretty straightforward but surprisingly effective. Clearing the cache can perk up Outlook’s performance quite a bit and eliminate weird glitches that crop up over time. Just remember to close Outlook first, get into the right folder, and delete that cache folder. After that, opening Outlook should be like a breath of fresh air — faster, less glitchy, and more in control.
Hopefully, this shaves off a few hours of frustration for someone, or at least helps keep Outlook running smoothly instead of throwing a fit every now and then.