Clear Outlook caches

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Works with Windows 10 and 11Works with Windows Vista, XP, 7, 8, 10, 11, and Windows Server 2008 or newer.

• Single actionThis page belongs to a script, containing basic changes to achieve a task.
• Windows onlyThis script improves your privacy on Windows
• Impact: MediumSystem Functionality Loss Risk: Moderate
  This action improves privacy with minimal impact when you run the recommended script.
  This action improves privacy with some impact when you run the recommended script.
• Batch (batchfile)These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.
• Fully reversible

  You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using this website.

  The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.

Overview

This script clears Outlook's caches to protect your privacy by removing traces of your email activities within the application.

The current version of Outlook (often called "New Outlook") uses web technologies that store cached content, web scripts, and browser storage data ¹. A cache is a temporary storage area where the application saves copies of web content, images, and scripts to load them faster in future sessions. These caches contain traces of your email usage, including what content you've viewed and how you've interacted with Outlook.

Clearing these caches helps prevent detailed analysis of your Outlook usage patterns. During forensic analysis, cached data can reveal detailed patterns of your email behavior and usage habits ².

This script does not affect your emails, contacts, or Outlook settings. It only removes temporary cached data that Outlook will recreate during the next launch.

This script improves system performance by freeing up disk space used by cached files.

After clearing these caches, Outlook rebuilds them during the next startup ^{1 3}. This results in slower initial application loads as resources need to be redownloaded ¹.

Caution

Outlook will launch slightly slower the first time after running this script as it rebuilds its caches.

Technical Details

This script clears the following web cache locations:

Folder Path	Outlook Version	Purpose	Impact
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Olk\EBWebView\Default\WebStorage 1	New Outlook 1	Stores diagnostic and performance logs 1	Slower initial app launch 1
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Olk\EBWebView\Default\Service Worker\CacheStorage 1	New Outlook 1	Stores cached web/JS scripts 1	Slower initial app launch 1
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Olk\EBWebView\Default\Code Cache 1	New Outlook 1	Stores cached web/JS scripts 1	Slower initial app launch 1
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Olk\EBWebView\Default\Cache 1 3	New Outlook 1	Caches network call contents 1	Resources need to be redownloaded 1
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Outlook\HubAppFileCache 4 5	Classic Outlook 4 5	Information not yet synced to server 4	Temporary add-in data 5
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Outlook\extend.dat 6	Classic Outlook 6	Installed Add-ins 6	Slower initial app launch 6

Use with Caution

This script is only recommended if you understand its implications.

Some non-critical or features may no longer function correctly after running this script.

This script can be fully reversed to restore changes if something goes wrong.

Sources

PrivacyLearn.com maintains strict sourcing standards for accuracy, integrity and up-to-date content. Our content relies on authoritative sources including vendor documentation, industry standards, and verified research. Learn more about our verification process and quality standards in our editorial standards page.

• New Outlook for Windows for virtualized desktop infrastructure (VDI) - Microsoft 365 Apps. Microsoft Learn. learn.microsoft.com. (2025).
  Original: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365-apps/outlook/get-started/virtualized-desktop-infrastructure
  Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250414175604/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365-apps/outlook/get-started/virtualized-desktop-infrastructure
• Chromium Based Browsers Investigation. blog.cyber5w.com. (2025).
  Original: https://blog.cyber5w.com/chromium_browsers_investigation
  Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250414184849/https://blog.cyber5w.com/chromium_browsers_investigation
• The New Outlook Masters Offline Access. office365itpros.com. (2025).
  Original: https://office365itpros.com/2024/10/10/offline-access-new-outlook
  Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250414185403/https://office365itpros.com/2024/10/10/offline-access-new-outlook/
• How to Clear the Outlook Cache. Information Technology Services - The University of Iowa. its.uiowa.edu. (2025).
  Original: https://its.uiowa.edu/services/microsoft-365-email-calendaring/how-clear-outlook-cache
  Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250415002325/https://its.uiowa.edu/services/microsoft-365-email-calendaring/how-clear-outlook-cache
• Clear the Office cache - Office Add-ins. Microsoft Learn. learn.microsoft.com. (2025).
  Original: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/office/dev/add-ins/testing/clear-cache
  Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250415001815/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/office/dev/add-ins/testing/clear-cache
• Outlook Backup and Dual-Boot File Locations. www.slipstick.com. (2025).
  Original: https://www.slipstick.com/outlook/config/outlook-2010-backup-and-dual-boot
  Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250415005550/https://www.slipstick.com/outlook/config/outlook-2010-backup-and-dual-boot/

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• Tools: Web Browser
• Difficulty: Simple
• ≈ 5 instructions

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2. 2

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   1. Search for the script name: Clear Outlook caches
   2. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
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:: Clear directory contents  : "%LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Olk\EBWebView\Default\WebStorage"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$pathGlobPattern = "^""$($directoryGlob = '%LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Olk\EBWebView\Default\WebStorage'; if ($directoryGlob.EndsWith('\*')) { $directoryGlob } elseif ($directoryGlob.EndsWith('\')) { "^""$($directoryGlob)*"^"" } else { "^""$($directoryGlob)\*"^"" } )"^""; $expandedPath = [System.Environment]::ExpandEnvironmentVariables($pathGlobPattern); Write-Host "^""Searching for items matching pattern: `"^""$($expandedPath)`"^""."^""; $deletedCount = 0; $failedCount = 0; $foundAbsolutePaths = @(); Write-Host 'Iterating files and directories recursively.'; try { $foundAbsolutePaths += @(; Get-ChildItem -Path $expandedPath -Force -Recurse -ErrorAction Stop | Select-Object -ExpandProperty FullName; ); } catch [System.Management.Automation.ItemNotFoundException] { <# Swallow, do not run `Test-Path` before, it's unreliable for globs requiring extra permissions #>; }; try { $foundAbsolutePaths += @(; Get-Item -Path $expandedPath -ErrorAction Stop | Select-Object -ExpandProperty FullName; ); } catch [System.Management.Automation.ItemNotFoundException] { <# Swallow, do not run `Test-Path` before, it's unreliable for globs requiring extra permissions #>; }; $foundAbsolutePaths = $foundAbsolutePaths | Select-Object -Unique | Sort-Object -Property { $_.Length } -Descending; if (!$foundAbsolutePaths) { Write-Host 'Skipping, no items available.'; exit 0; }; Write-Host "^""Initiating processing of $($foundAbsolutePaths.Count) items from `"^""$expandedPath`"^""."^""; foreach ($path in $foundAbsolutePaths) { if (-not (Test-Path $path)) { <# Re-check existence as prior deletions might remove subsequent items (e.g., subdirectories). #>; Write-Host "^""Successfully deleted: $($path) (already deleted)."^""; $deletedCount++; continue; }; try { Remove-Item -Path $path -Force -Recurse -ErrorAction Stop; $deletedCount++; Write-Host "^""Successfully deleted: $($path)"^""; } catch { $failedCount++; Write-Warning "^""Unable to delete $($path): $_"^""; }; }; Write-Host "^""Successfully deleted $($deletedCount) items."^""; if ($failedCount -gt 0) { Write-Warning "^""Failed to delete $($failedCount) items."^""; }"
:: Clear directory contents  : "%LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Olk\EBWebView\Default\Service Worker\CacheStorage"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$pathGlobPattern = "^""$($directoryGlob = '%LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Olk\EBWebView\Default\Service Worker\CacheStorage'; if ($directoryGlob.EndsWith('\*')) { $directoryGlob } elseif ($directoryGlob.EndsWith('\')) { "^""$($directoryGlob)*"^"" } else { "^""$($directoryGlob)\*"^"" } )"^""; $expandedPath = [System.Environment]::ExpandEnvironmentVariables($pathGlobPattern); Write-Host "^""Searching for items matching pattern: `"^""$($expandedPath)`"^""."^""; $deletedCount = 0; $failedCount = 0; $foundAbsolutePaths = @(); Write-Host 'Iterating files and directories recursively.'; try { $foundAbsolutePaths += @(; Get-ChildItem -Path $expandedPath -Force -Recurse -ErrorAction Stop | Select-Object -ExpandProperty FullName; ); } catch [System.Management.Automation.ItemNotFoundException] { <# Swallow, do not run `Test-Path` before, it's unreliable for globs requiring extra permissions #>; }; try { $foundAbsolutePaths += @(; Get-Item -Path $expandedPath -ErrorAction Stop | Select-Object -ExpandProperty FullName; ); } catch [System.Management.Automation.ItemNotFoundException] { <# Swallow, do not run `Test-Path` before, it's unreliable for globs requiring extra permissions #>; }; $foundAbsolutePaths = $foundAbsolutePaths | Select-Object -Unique | Sort-Object -Property { $_.Length } -Descending; if (!$foundAbsolutePaths) { Write-Host 'Skipping, no items available.'; exit 0; }; Write-Host "^""Initiating processing of $($foundAbsolutePaths.Count) items from `"^""$expandedPath`"^""."^""; foreach ($path in $foundAbsolutePaths) { if (-not (Test-Path $path)) { <# Re-check existence as prior deletions might remove subsequent items (e.g., subdirectories). #>; Write-Host "^""Successfully deleted: $($path) (already deleted)."^""; $deletedCount++; continue; }; try { Remove-Item -Path $path -Force -Recurse -ErrorAction Stop; $deletedCount++; Write-Host "^""Successfully deleted: $($path)"^""; } catch { $failedCount++; Write-Warning "^""Unable to delete $($path): $_"^""; }; }; Write-Host "^""Successfully deleted $($deletedCount) items."^""; if ($failedCount -gt 0) { Write-Warning "^""Failed to delete $($failedCount) items."^""; }"
:: Clear directory contents  : "%LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Olk\EBWebView\Default\Code Cache"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$pathGlobPattern = "^""$($directoryGlob = '%LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Olk\EBWebView\Default\Code Cache'; if ($directoryGlob.EndsWith('\*')) { $directoryGlob } elseif ($directoryGlob.EndsWith('\')) { "^""$($directoryGlob)*"^"" } else { "^""$($directoryGlob)\*"^"" } )"^""; $expandedPath = [System.Environment]::ExpandEnvironmentVariables($pathGlobPattern); Write-Host "^""Searching for items matching pattern: `"^""$($expandedPath)`"^""."^""; $deletedCount = 0; $failedCount = 0; $foundAbsolutePaths = @(); Write-Host 'Iterating files and directories recursively.'; try { $foundAbsolutePaths += @(; Get-ChildItem -Path $expandedPath -Force -Recurse -ErrorAction Stop | Select-Object -ExpandProperty FullName; ); } catch [System.Management.Automation.ItemNotFoundException] { <# Swallow, do not run `Test-Path` before, it's unreliable for globs requiring extra permissions #>; }; try { $foundAbsolutePaths += @(; Get-Item -Path $expandedPath -ErrorAction Stop | Select-Object -ExpandProperty FullName; ); } catch [System.Management.Automation.ItemNotFoundException] { <# Swallow, do not run `Test-Path` before, it's unreliable for globs requiring extra permissions #>; }; $foundAbsolutePaths = $foundAbsolutePaths | Select-Object -Unique | Sort-Object -Property { $_.Length } -Descending; if (!$foundAbsolutePaths) { Write-Host 'Skipping, no items available.'; exit 0; }; Write-Host "^""Initiating processing of $($foundAbsolutePaths.Count) items from `"^""$expandedPath`"^""."^""; foreach ($path in $foundAbsolutePaths) { if (-not (Test-Path $path)) { <# Re-check existence as prior deletions might remove subsequent items (e.g., subdirectories). #>; Write-Host "^""Successfully deleted: $($path) (already deleted)."^""; $deletedCount++; continue; }; try { Remove-Item -Path $path -Force -Recurse -ErrorAction Stop; $deletedCount++; Write-Host "^""Successfully deleted: $($path)"^""; } catch { $failedCount++; Write-Warning "^""Unable to delete $($path): $_"^""; }; }; Write-Host "^""Successfully deleted $($deletedCount) items."^""; if ($failedCount -gt 0) { Write-Warning "^""Failed to delete $($failedCount) items."^""; }"
:: Clear directory contents  : "%LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Olk\EBWebView\Default\Cache"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$pathGlobPattern = "^""$($directoryGlob = '%LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Olk\EBWebView\Default\Cache'; if ($directoryGlob.EndsWith('\*')) { $directoryGlob } elseif ($directoryGlob.EndsWith('\')) { "^""$($directoryGlob)*"^"" } else { "^""$($directoryGlob)\*"^"" } )"^""; $expandedPath = [System.Environment]::ExpandEnvironmentVariables($pathGlobPattern); Write-Host "^""Searching for items matching pattern: `"^""$($expandedPath)`"^""."^""; $deletedCount = 0; $failedCount = 0; $foundAbsolutePaths = @(); Write-Host 'Iterating files and directories recursively.'; try { $foundAbsolutePaths += @(; Get-ChildItem -Path $expandedPath -Force -Recurse -ErrorAction Stop | Select-Object -ExpandProperty FullName; ); } catch [System.Management.Automation.ItemNotFoundException] { <# Swallow, do not run `Test-Path` before, it's unreliable for globs requiring extra permissions #>; }; try { $foundAbsolutePaths += @(; Get-Item -Path $expandedPath -ErrorAction Stop | Select-Object -ExpandProperty FullName; ); } catch [System.Management.Automation.ItemNotFoundException] { <# Swallow, do not run `Test-Path` before, it's unreliable for globs requiring extra permissions #>; }; $foundAbsolutePaths = $foundAbsolutePaths | Select-Object -Unique | Sort-Object -Property { $_.Length } -Descending; if (!$foundAbsolutePaths) { Write-Host 'Skipping, no items available.'; exit 0; }; Write-Host "^""Initiating processing of $($foundAbsolutePaths.Count) items from `"^""$expandedPath`"^""."^""; foreach ($path in $foundAbsolutePaths) { if (-not (Test-Path $path)) { <# Re-check existence as prior deletions might remove subsequent items (e.g., subdirectories). #>; Write-Host "^""Successfully deleted: $($path) (already deleted)."^""; $deletedCount++; continue; }; try { Remove-Item -Path $path -Force -Recurse -ErrorAction Stop; $deletedCount++; Write-Host "^""Successfully deleted: $($path)"^""; } catch { $failedCount++; Write-Warning "^""Unable to delete $($path): $_"^""; }; }; Write-Host "^""Successfully deleted $($deletedCount) items."^""; if ($failedCount -gt 0) { Write-Warning "^""Failed to delete $($failedCount) items."^""; }"
:: Clear directory contents  : "%LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Outlook\HubAppFileCache"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$pathGlobPattern = "^""$($directoryGlob = '%LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Outlook\HubAppFileCache'; if ($directoryGlob.EndsWith('\*')) { $directoryGlob } elseif ($directoryGlob.EndsWith('\')) { "^""$($directoryGlob)*"^"" } else { "^""$($directoryGlob)\*"^"" } )"^""; $expandedPath = [System.Environment]::ExpandEnvironmentVariables($pathGlobPattern); Write-Host "^""Searching for items matching pattern: `"^""$($expandedPath)`"^""."^""; $deletedCount = 0; $failedCount = 0; $foundAbsolutePaths = @(); Write-Host 'Iterating files and directories recursively.'; try { $foundAbsolutePaths += @(; Get-ChildItem -Path $expandedPath -Force -Recurse -ErrorAction Stop | Select-Object -ExpandProperty FullName; ); } catch [System.Management.Automation.ItemNotFoundException] { <# Swallow, do not run `Test-Path` before, it's unreliable for globs requiring extra permissions #>; }; try { $foundAbsolutePaths += @(; Get-Item -Path $expandedPath -ErrorAction Stop | Select-Object -ExpandProperty FullName; ); } catch [System.Management.Automation.ItemNotFoundException] { <# Swallow, do not run `Test-Path` before, it's unreliable for globs requiring extra permissions #>; }; $foundAbsolutePaths = $foundAbsolutePaths | Select-Object -Unique | Sort-Object -Property { $_.Length } -Descending; if (!$foundAbsolutePaths) { Write-Host 'Skipping, no items available.'; exit 0; }; Write-Host "^""Initiating processing of $($foundAbsolutePaths.Count) items from `"^""$expandedPath`"^""."^""; foreach ($path in $foundAbsolutePaths) { if (-not (Test-Path $path)) { <# Re-check existence as prior deletions might remove subsequent items (e.g., subdirectories). #>; Write-Host "^""Successfully deleted: $($path) (already deleted)."^""; $deletedCount++; continue; }; try { Remove-Item -Path $path -Force -Recurse -ErrorAction Stop; $deletedCount++; Write-Host "^""Successfully deleted: $($path)"^""; } catch { $failedCount++; Write-Warning "^""Unable to delete $($path): $_"^""; }; }; Write-Host "^""Successfully deleted $($deletedCount) items."^""; if ($failedCount -gt 0) { Write-Warning "^""Failed to delete $($failedCount) items."^""; }"
:: Delete files matching pattern: "%LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Outlook\extend.dat"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$pathGlobPattern = "^""%LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Outlook\extend.dat"^""; $expandedPath = [System.Environment]::ExpandEnvironmentVariables($pathGlobPattern); Write-Host "^""Searching for items matching pattern: `"^""$($expandedPath)`"^""."^""; $deletedCount = 0; $failedCount = 0; $skippedCount = 0; $foundAbsolutePaths = @(); try { $foundAbsolutePaths += @(; Get-Item -Path $expandedPath -ErrorAction Stop | Select-Object -ExpandProperty FullName; ); } catch [System.Management.Automation.ItemNotFoundException] { <# Swallow, do not run `Test-Path` before, it's unreliable for globs requiring extra permissions #>; }; $foundAbsolutePaths = $foundAbsolutePaths | Select-Object -Unique | Sort-Object -Property { $_.Length } -Descending; if (!$foundAbsolutePaths) { Write-Host 'Skipping, no items available.'; exit 0; }; Write-Host "^""Initiating processing of $($foundAbsolutePaths.Count) items from `"^""$expandedPath`"^""."^""; foreach ($path in $foundAbsolutePaths) { if (Test-Path -Path $path -PathType Container) { Write-Host "^""Skipping, the path is not a file but a folder: $($path)."^""; $skippedCount++; continue; }; if (-not (Test-Path $path)) { <# Re-check existence as prior deletions might remove subsequent items (e.g., subdirectories). #>; Write-Host "^""Successfully deleted: $($path) (already deleted)."^""; $deletedCount++; continue; }; try { Remove-Item -Path $path -Force -Recurse -ErrorAction Stop; $deletedCount++; Write-Host "^""Successfully deleted: $($path)"^""; } catch { $failedCount++; Write-Warning "^""Unable to delete $($path): $_"^""; }; }; if ($skippedCount -gt 0) { Write-Host "^""Skipped $($skippedCount) items."^""; }; Write-Host "^""Successfully deleted $($deletedCount) items."^""; if ($failedCount -gt 0) { Write-Warning "^""Failed to delete $($failedCount) items."^""; }"

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How to apply or restore "Clear Outlook caches" using commands

• ≈ 2 min to complete
• Tools: Command Prompt
• Difficulty: Medium
• ≈ 3 instructions

View step-by-step guide with screenshots

---

1. 1

   Open Command Prompt

   Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
2. 2

   Copy code

   Copy the code:

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3. 3

   Paste & run

   Paste the commands into Command Prompt and press Enter to run.

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