How to Clear Outlook Cache on Mac OS?
Is your Outlook freezing or stuck on completing the task? Then, one method users should try to fix this issue is clearing the Outlook cache files. There are multiple benefits to removing the cluttered temporary files to improve performance. This comprehensive guide will give various methods to clear Outlook cache on Mac, with which users can resolve common performance issues and thereby ensure a smooth user experience.
As time goes on, the cache files will become outdated, corrupted, or too large, which will cause a variety of problems. The issues range from slow loading and synchronisation errors to unexpected crashes. Therefore, by clearing the temporary files, we force the application to download a new copy of the data from the mail server.
What are Outlook Cache Files and Why Clean Them?
Like any cache files, Microsoft Outlook has temporary files on the Mac hard drive to speed up performance. The Outlook cache files included:
- It stores profile data, which is the account information and preferences, for faster loading.
- Emails and attachments are cached so that you can easily view messages recently opened, even when you are offline.
- Folder structure as cache data will allow you to navigate between the inbox, sent items, and other folders.
According to the above, it is obvious that the cache is implemented for performance enhancement but at some point it will get corrupted or obsolete. It might even cause an adverse effect on the workflow of the users, as stated here:
- Crashing: When these cache files get cluttered in the system, Outlook becomes unresponsive and unexpectedly shuts down. For more details, visit: Outlook crashes immediately after opening.
- Slow and laggy: Outlook takes a longer time to launch or switch between messages and folders.
- Sync Error: If the mailbox fails to sync with the server, the emails may not send or receive properly.
- Excessive Disk Space: A large number of cache files could consume valuable storage space on the system.
Therefore, clearing the Outlook cache is an effective troubleshooting step, as it forces Outlook to rebuild fresh cache files and restore the functionality without affecting the data stored on the mail server.
Check out other related articles: Why Outlook storage is still full after deleting emails?
When Should We Clear the Outlook Cache? Here are some of the common instances when it is better to delete Outlook cache files:
- When new emails are not appearing but exist on Outlook Web.
- The search result is not showing emails properly.
- Outlook keeps showing – updating this folder.
- Shared mailbox stops syncing.
- Folder unread counts are incorrect.
How to Clear Outlook Cache on Mac?
There are multiple methods to clear the Outlook cache on Mac. We will here give the built-in reset account in the new Outlook, manually delete the cache folder, and empty the cache in legacy Outlook on Mac. All of the methods are different for different Outlook versions, ensuring you can effectively manage the temporary Outlook files.
Method 1: Clear the Cache in the New Outlook for Mac
Clearing the Outlook cache on macOS is simple. The new Outlook relies on a direct account reset to clear the cache files.
- Close Outlook Completely.
- Open the Outlook application.
- From the top menu, go to Tools > Accounts.
- Select the account you want to reset.
- Click on the three dots and choose Reset Account.
- A confirmation message will appear; click Reset to confirm.
Outlook will then begin to resynchronise all of your data from the server. This process may take a while, depending on the size of your mailbox.
Method 2: Clear the Outlook Cache in the Legacy Outlook.
It is the classic Outlook for Mac; the process is different from the new Outlook to clear the cache. It is useful for large mailboxes connected to the Exchange account.
How to Clear Cache from Legacy Outlook
- Quit Outlook.
- Open Outlook and go to the folder list.
- Go to the folder where you want to clear the cache.
- Right-click on the folder and select Move to Trash.
- In the Properties window, click on the General tab.
- Click the Empty Cache button.
Outlook will empty the cache from the folder and download the new items from the server.
Method 3: Manual Method to Clear Outlook Cache on Mac
If the above method did not work, and you want to clean it properly, then the manual method is the most reliable to clear Outlook Cache on Mac. It consists of navigating to the hidden files and deleting them.
Steps for the Manual Method
- Firstly, close Outlook.
- Open a new Finder Window.
- Go to the top menu and click on Go.
- Then, hold the Option key on the keyboard. It shows the hidden library folders.
- Then, click on Library.
- In the new Finder window, go to the Caches folder.
- Further, inside the Caches folder, locate the folder named com.microsoft.outlook
- Right-click on the folder and select Outlook, then select Move to Trash.
- Finally, empty your Trash.
Restart Outlook. Thus, the application is forced to rebuild its cache files from scratch, drawing all data fresh from the server.
Method 4: Most Reliable Software to Clear Outlook Cache on Mac
Data Wipe is the perfect local file cleaner if you want to remove the Outlook cache on your Mac. The program acts as a secure data eraser, using advanced multi-pass methods that follow military standards. After restarting Outlook, it loads fresh cache files into the default folder.
The method is the most thorough in eliminating corrupted cache files and can be useful when other methods do not work properly.
What Happens After Clearing Outlook Cache Files?
Users worry that cleaning cache files from any mail account would permanently delete the emails or other mailbox data, which is not true. In most cases, deleting the Outlook cache only removes the temporary files stored on the computer. The emails are in the mail server, which is Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft 365, or an IMAP Server.
After the cache is deleted, Outlook automatically creates a new cache the next time the application is opened.
| What clearing Outlook cache Will Do | What clearing Outlook cache Will Not Do |
|---|---|
| ✔Delete temporary local copies of the mailbox data. | ✖ Delete emails stored on the server. |
| ✔Forces Outlook to create fresh email copies and other mailbox items. | ✖ Delete Calendar Events |
| ✔Rebuilds the local Outlook cache database and fixes sync and performance issues. | ✖ Delete mailbox folder or server-stored data |
| ✔Creates a new, updated cache that ensures Outlook displays the latest mailbox from the server. | ✖ Delete contacts. |
Note: If Outlook’s account is integrated with a server-based service (i.e., Exchange, Microsoft 365, IMAP), clearing the Outlook cache should not result in any data loss. If a POP3 account has been set up, your emails are stored in your local Outlook data file and not on the server, so the user should create a backup before clearing the Outlook cache.
FAQs
Q) What does clearing the cache in Outlook for Mac Mean?
Deleting the cache in Outlook for Mac refers to erasing temporary files that are stored on your local system by the application to speed up application performance. When the user clears out the cache, Outlook will erase the stored files and redownload them from the mail server.
Q) What issues can be fixed by clearing the Outlook cache on a Mac?
A) Clear the Outlook cache and fix several common problems, such as
- Email is not syncing or updating properly.
- Search is not showing the correct results.
- A duplicate email appears in Outlook.
- Missing messages – Outlook is not showing emails.
- Display or formatting issues in emails
It is often the first troubleshooting step for Outlook-related issues.
Q) Does clearing the cache improve Outlook’s performance on the Mac?
A) Yes, clearing the cache improves the performance, especially if the cached data becomes corrupted. Removing the unnecessary or damaged files allows the Outlook application to rebuild a clear cache, which will make the application run more smoothly and efficiently.
Q) Where is the Outlook cache stored on a Mac?
A) The cache files of Outlook are saved in the Library folder of the user.
The location is: ~/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9. Office/Outlook/Outlook 15 Profiles/
Open the folder, then locate the profile data and cached mailbox. macOS often hides the Library folder; access it through the “Go to Folder” option in Finder. For more details: How to access hidden files on Mac?
Q) Is it Safe to clear the Outlook Cache on Mac?
A) Yes, it is very safe to clear the Microsoft Outlook cache. The cache only contains temporary copies of files or Outlook data. All original emails, contacts, or other account information are in the cache file. All relevant data regarding logins to your account and others is held on the mail server.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the choice is yours to pick the desired method to clear Outlook cache on Mac system. We have prepared methods for all versions of Outlook for all users for ease. You can effectively eliminate corrupted or outdated temporary files. This process ensures that Outlook is running on a clean slate. Delete the Cache files of Outlook on Mac and improve the performance immediately.