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 of 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As time goes on, the cache files will become outdated, corrupted or too large, which will cause a variety of problems.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.
As per the above information, it is clear that the cache is designed to improve performance, but over time, it could become corrupted or outdated. It could cause other issues that would affect the workflow of the users, as mentioned 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.
Thus, clear Outlook cache on Mac to download a fresh, clean copy of data from the mail server after a proper connection.
Check out other related articles: Why Outlook storage is still full after deleting emails?
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 Cache in legacy Outlook on Mac. All of the methods are carried out in 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 done differently 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.
- Hold the Option key on the keyboard. It shows the hidden library folders.
- Then, click on Library.
- In the new Finder Windows, go to the Caches folder.
- Inside the Caches folder, locate the folder named com.microsoft.outlook
- Right-click on the folder and select Outlook, 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 most thorough in eliminating corrupted cache files and can be useful when other methods do not work properly.
Is it Safe to Clear Outlook Cache on Mac?
Yes, it is generally safe to clear the Outlook cache. The cache only stores temporary files and copies of the Outlook data. It does not contain any original emails, contacts, or account settings. All the vital information resides on the mail server. When we clear the cache, it removes the locally copied files; that’s it.
Instantly after you launch Outlook, fetching all the files it needs. from the server; thus, you are safe from any kind of data loss.
FAQs
Q) What does clearing the cache in Outlook for Mac Mean?
A) Clearing the cache in Outlook Mac means removing temporary files that the app stores locally to speed up performance. These files include downloaded email data, attachments and other mailbox information. When the user clears the cache, Outlook deletes these stored files and re-downloads the fresh ones from the mail server, which will resolve the inconsistencies or errors.
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) Outlook cache files are stored in the user’s Library folder.
The path usually is: ~/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/Outlook/Outlook 15 Profiles/
Go inside the folder to find the profile data and cached mailbox information. Since the Library folder is hidden on macOS, you may need to access it with the “Go to Folder” option in Finder.
For more details: How to access hidden files on Mac?
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 the 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.