How to Clear Cache in New Microsoft Outlook on Windows

To clear cached app data in New Outlook for Windows, close Outlook, then open Windows Settings and choose Apps > Installed apps > Outlook (new) > Advanced options > Reset. This removes local app data and may sign you out; mail and calendar items that have synced to your account should remain online. Try Repair first if you want a less disruptive fix. Before resetting, check that important messages or drafts are not waiting to sync.

New Outlook does not have the same cache-clearing controls as classic Outlook. Resetting the app is the practical Windows option when cached or damaged local data is causing problems. The steps below explain what is removed, how to use the less disruptive options first, and what to do if you use Outlook in a browser or on a Mac instead.

What You’ll Need

A Windows 10 or Windows 11 computer with New Outlook installed. The app may appear as Outlook (new) in Windows settings.
Access to the account you use in Outlook, including its password and any required multi-factor authentication method. You may need these to sign in again after a reset.
An internet connection and a few minutes to let the mailbox sync after Outlook reopens.
If you are unsure whether an item has synced, access to your account through Outlook on the web or your organization’s mail service so you can check before resetting.

Step-by-Step

Confirm which Outlook you are using. These instructions are for the New Outlook Windows app, not classic Outlook for Windows. In New Outlook, the interface is more like Outlook on the web, and the app may be labelled Outlook (new) in Windows. If you are using Outlook in a browser, skip to the browser guidance in Troubleshooting. This distinction matters because classic Outlook uses different cache files and settings; deleting its files is not the right procedure for New Outlook.
Check that important work is synced. Open Outlook and look for any outbox activity, sync warnings, or messages that are still being sent. If you have a draft you cannot risk losing, open Outlook on the web in a browser and check whether the draft appears there. Keep a copy of any text you cannot easily recreate. A reset is intended to clear local app data, not delete online mail, but unsent or locally stored changes may not have reached the server yet.
Close Outlook completely. Save any open draft, then close the app. If the issue involves a frozen window, press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager, select Outlook (new) if it is listed, and choose End task. This stops the app before Windows repairs or resets its data. Do not end unrelated Microsoft processes.
Try Repair before Reset. In Windows 11, open Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps. Find Outlook (new), select the three-dot menu beside it, choose Advanced options, then select Repair. In Windows 10, look under Settings > Apps > Apps & features, select Outlook (new), choose Advanced options, and select Repair if that option is available. Repair attempts to fix the app without the broader local-data removal associated with Reset. Reopen Outlook and check whether the original problem is gone.
Reset the app if Repair does not help. Return to the same Advanced options page for Outlook (new), and select Reset. Read the Windows confirmation prompt before continuing. Reset clears the app’s local data and settings, so it can remove cached content and require you to set up or sign in to your account again. It is more disruptive than Repair, so use it only after checking that anything important is synced or safely copied. Do not choose Uninstall unless you intend to remove the app; uninstalling is not needed for this cache-clearing procedure.
Open Outlook and sign in again if asked. Launch Outlook from Start. Follow the prompts to add or sign in to your account, complete any multi-factor authentication, and allow the mailbox to load. If Outlook asks to grant permissions or confirm account details, check that the account shown is the one you normally use. A large mailbox may take a while to repopulate its local view, particularly on a slower connection.
Check that the problem is resolved. Open the folder or message that previously failed, try the affected search or attachment, and confirm that new mail arrives. Send a small test message if sending was the issue. If the same problem returns immediately, it may be caused by a network, account, add-in, or service issue rather than cached app data. Use the troubleshooting checks below before repeating the reset.

Common Mistakes

Deleting classic Outlook cache files. Instructions that mention RoamCache or files under the classic Outlook profile usually refer to classic Outlook, not the New Outlook app. Do not follow those steps for New Outlook unless Microsoft support specifically directs you to a particular location for your version.
Assuming Reset only removes temporary files. Windows Reset can clear more local app data and preferences than a narrowly targeted cache clear. Expect to sign in again and potentially adjust app settings. Check the reset prompt and protect anything that may not have synced first.
Resetting while messages are still sending. A draft or message visible only on the device may not be available after local data is cleared. Check the Outbox and verify important drafts online before proceeding.
Choosing Uninstall instead of Reset. Uninstall removes the app and does not offer a better cache-clearing result for most users. Use the Advanced options Repair or Reset controls for the steps in this guide.
Expecting the mailbox to reload instantly. After a reset, Outlook may need to sign in and fetch account information again. A brief delay or an initially incomplete folder view does not automatically mean messages were deleted.

Tips

Restart Outlook before using Windows Repair or Reset. A simple restart can clear a temporary hang without changing account setup or app data.
Install available Windows and Outlook updates before repeating a reset. Updates can resolve bugs that would otherwise make the same symptom return.
Use Repair as the first Windows recovery option and Reset only if Repair fails. This limits disruption while still giving Windows a chance to fix the app.
Keep your account password and authentication device available. Work or school accounts may require an administrator’s sign-in policy, security approval, or device verification after a reset.
For a work-managed computer, check with IT before resetting if Outlook is configured with organization-specific policies or you are unsure whether local information has synced.
For Outlook on the web, clear data for the Outlook site only rather than wiping all browser history. That avoids unnecessarily removing saved sessions and site data for unrelated services.

Troubleshooting

Outlook (new) is not listed in Installed apps. Search the Start menu for Outlook and confirm that you are opening the New Outlook app rather than classic Outlook or a browser shortcut. If it is installed but not shown under that exact name, search the app list for Outlook and check its publisher and app details. On a managed device, your administrator may control app repair and reset options.

There is no Advanced options or Reset button. The available controls depend on the Windows version and how the app was installed. First install pending Windows updates and reopen Settings. If the option remains unavailable, avoid manually deleting random folders. Use the official Microsoft Store or Microsoft support instructions for your installed version, or ask your organization’s IT team if the device is managed.

The issue remains after resetting. Confirm that you can access the mailbox through Outlook on the web. If the web version has the same problem, check your internet connection, account status, mailbox storage, and any service notice from your organization or Microsoft. If only the app is affected, update it, restart Windows, and check whether a security or network policy is blocking its connection. When reporting the problem, note the exact error and whether it occurs in the browser too.

You use Outlook in a browser, not the Windows app. Close the Outlook tab, then use your browser’s privacy or browsing-data settings to clear cached files for the Outlook site. The exact menu names vary by browser. Prefer clearing cached images and files for the Outlook website rather than all cookies and site data: removing cookies can sign you out and clearing broader site data may reset other website preferences. Reopen Outlook and sign in if prompted.

You use New Outlook for Mac. The Windows Advanced options path does not apply. Start by quitting Outlook, reopening it, and installing available macOS and Outlook updates. If the problem continues, verify that mail is available through Outlook on the web. You can review the account in Outlook > Settings > Accounts; removing and adding an account again is a broader troubleshooting step, not a simple cache clear, and should be done only after confirming important items are synced. For a managed Mac, contact your IT administrator before changing account setup.

Messages seem missing after the reset. Give Outlook time to sync, check the correct account and folder, and compare with Outlook on the web. Search online for the message before assuming it was deleted. If an item is missing from the server as well, check Deleted Items, Archive, and any organization-specific retention or recovery options. A reset cannot recover a message that was never synced or that was removed from the mailbox itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does clearing New Outlook’s cache delete my emails?
Resetting the Windows app clears local app data; it is not intended to delete mail stored on the account’s server. Synced mail should appear again after sign-in and sync. Check online for important drafts or unsent messages before resetting, because unsynced local changes may not be recoverable.

Is Repair the same as Reset?
No. Repair attempts to fix the app while generally preserving its data. Reset is a more disruptive option that clears local app data and may require you to sign in and configure the app again. Try Repair first.

How long will Outlook take to reload after a reset?
It depends on your connection, mailbox size, and account type. Some folders may appear before all messages and search results are ready. Keep Outlook connected and allow time for syncing before concluding that data is missing.

Should I clear the cache regularly?
Usually not. Clear or reset local app data when you are troubleshooting a specific problem, such as a persistent display, sync, or loading issue. Routine resets can cause extra setup and syncing without providing a benefit.

Can I clear only the cache without resetting the app?
New Outlook for Windows does not provide a universal, clearly labelled cache-only control for every installation. Repair is the less disruptive first step; Reset is the standard Windows app recovery option when local data is suspected. Avoid deleting app folders by hand unless Microsoft support gives instructions for your exact version.

Will resetting help if Outlook on the web is also broken?
Probably not. If the same error appears in a browser, investigate the account, internet connection, mailbox, or service status first. Resetting the Windows app only targets local app data and cannot repair a server-side or account-wide problem.

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