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How to Delete Sync Files in Outlook [2 easy ways]

Outlook syncs your data across multiple computers

2 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Key notes

Privacy is a sensitive topic nowadays since you don’t know where your personal info may end up.

This is an issue that some users encountered:

I was cleaning up with WinDirStat when I found […] a lot of images and videos from years ago, the funny thing is these images and videos are from an old computer which doesn’t exist for a year, somehow these files were synced up to my account back then and now to my new laptop.

Apparently, users are highly concerned that their personal information may be synced with plenty of computers they no longer use.

However, further research revealed that the images and videos the user was using were, in fact, part of the Outlook cache:

[…]OP is seeing the cache related to the Mail app, and any emails and such that synced in regards with that.

What does this sync do?

What does this sync do?

In theory, this sync allows users to have access to their private files on pretty much every PC they log in with their account.

Unfortunately, this also means that those using public PCs are in danger of having their personal information made public.

As such, this article was devised to help you completely delete your Outlook cache step-by-step.

How can I delete synced files from other PCs?

How can I delete synced files from other PCs?

1. Delete the Outlook Cache on a certain PC

You can remove synced files from another computer to your main one by deleting the Outlook cache. If you remove the Outlook cache, it won’t delete emails, contacts, or other useful information. Therefore, this method is perfectly safe to use.

1.CloseOutlook if it is opened on your PC.

  1. PressWindows+Rto bring up the Run dialog.

  2. In the Run dialog box, enter%localappdata%MicrosoftOutlookand hitEnter.

  3. Enter theRoamCachefolder to view the cache files.

  4. This would be a good time to make aback-upof the cache files so that you can restore them if something goes wrong.

  5. Select all of the files you want to remove, then pressDelete, or right-click the highlighted files and selectDelete.

  6. Outlook will automatically make new cache files when you open Outlook.

  7. Keep note that if you want complete privacy, you have to repeat this process on any new PC you want to log in with your Outlook Mail.

2. Completely turn off Indexing on your PC

  1. PressWindows+R2. Type incontrol.exe3. Change view (top right) toSmall Icons4. Click onAdministrative Tools5. Click onServices6. Scroll down till you find eitherIndexing ServiceorWindows Search7. Double-click onWindows Searchand click theStopbutton8. Change theStartup TypetoDisabled9.Restartyour PC

If you want to feel even more secure, you can try out some of thebest email privacy softwarethat is out there.

We hope that our article helped you. Let us know how you feel about it and whether you have any questions in the comments section below.

More about the topics:issue,Outlook Guides,privacy

Teodor Nechita

Eager to help those in need, Teodor writes articles daily on subjects regarding Windows, Xbox, and all things tech-related.

When not working, you may usually find him either at the gym or taking a stroll in the park, trying to find inspiration for the next articles he may write.

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