How to clear your Microsoft Outlook cache on a PC and keep the email client running efficiently

Redeem now

  • You can clear your Microsoft Outlook cache to keep the program running smoothly.
  • Microsoft Outlook, like any email client, stores data in a container known as a cache.
  • Clearing your cache is relatively simple and can help troubleshoot some of Outlook's performance issues.
  • Visit Business Insider's Tech Reference library for more stories.

Clearing your Microsoft Outlook account's cache is one way of troubleshooting any issues you might be having with Outlook. The cache is essentially a storage container for data that Outlook saves, so by clearing the data in the cache, you're likely to improve Outlook's performance.

The process of clearing your Outlook cache can seem complicated at first, but there are only a few steps required in order to complete the process. Keep reading to find out how to clear your Outlook cache.

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

Microsoft Office (From $149.99 at Best Buy)

Acer Chromebook 15 (From $179.99 at Walmart)

How to clear your Outlook cache on a PC

Before you get started, you'll need to save all of your work and close Outlook completely. You won't be able to clear Outlook's cache if Outlook is open on your computer.

1. On your keyboard, press the "Windows" key (the key labeled with the Windows logo) and the "R" key at the same time. This will open the "Run" function.

2. In the Run pop-up window, click on the field next to "Open:" and type the following line of text: 

%localappdata%\Microsoft\Outlook

3. Once you have finished typing, click "OK." 

After you've typed in the text, click "Ok." Chrissy Montelli/Business Insider

4. A pop-up window will appear. Locate the folder called "RoamCache" and double-click on it.

Find the "RoamCache" folder in the pop-up and open it. Chrissy Montelli/Business Insider

5. You can clear individual files from your cache or you can clear them all at once. Once you've highlighted the files you wish to delete, right-click on any of the highlighted files and click "Delete" in the menu that appears. 

To select individual files, click on the file name or press Ctrl + Click to select multiple ones. To select all files at once, press Ctrl + A.

Delete all or some of the files in the "RoamCache" folder. Chrissy Montelli/Business Insider
Microsoft Office: Home and Student Shop at Best Buy External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user." Shop at Microsoft External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user." Acer Chromebook 15 Shop at Walmart External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."

Related coverage from Tech Reference:

Chrissy Montelli is a writer and content creator originally from Long Island, NY. She is the author of two poetry chapbooks, Heart Float (Bottlecap Press) and Going to Ithaca (Ghost City Press), as well as various online publications. Read more from her at chrissymontelli.wordpress.com. Read more Read less

Insider Inc. receives a commission when you buy through our links.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7o8HSoqWeq6Oeu7S1w56pZ5ufonyowcidnKxnpJqwqXvHqK5mrJ9isK2xwKtkqK2kobywt4ycmJyglQ%3D%3D