How to remove Outlook for Windows auto-complete list entries

Outlook maintains the AutoComplete list. The list is used by both the automatic name-checking feature and the automatic completion feature. The AutoComplete list, also known as the nickname cache, is generated automatically when you send email messages from Outlook. The list contains SMTP addresses, LegacyExchangeDN entries, and display names for people to whom you have sent mail previously.

Note The AutoComplete list for Outlook is specific to Outlook and is not shared by Outlook Web App (OWA). OWA maintains its own AutoComplete list.

Step-by-Step

How to remove AutoComplete list entries one at a time

  1. To remove entries from the AutoComplete cache one entry at a time, follow these steps:
  2. Open a new email message.
  3. Type the first few characters of the AutoComplete entry that you want to remove.
  4. When the entry appears in the list of suggested names, move your mouse pointer over the name until it becomes highlighted, but do not click the name.
  5. When the "X" icon appears next to the highlighted name, click X to remove the name from the list, or press the Delete key on the keyboard.
  6. How to clear the whole AutoComplete list

How to delete the AutoComplete list.

Method 1

  1. Open Outlook.
  2. On the File tab, click Options.
  3. Click the Mail tab.
  4. Under Send Messages, click Empty Auto-Complete List
  5. Click Yes.

Method 2

  1. Start Outlook by using the /CleanAutoCompleteCache switch. To do this, follow these steps:
  2. Click Start, and then click Run.
  3. Type Outlook.exe /CleanAutoCompleteCache.
  4. Note If Outlook is not installed in the default location, you must point to the path of Outlook.exe.

For Further Information

  • Information about the Outlook AutoComplete list - https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/2199226

 

Print Article