Recognize Help Center

How to Clear Your Microsoft Teams Cache and Outlook Cache

Sometimes Microsoft Teams or Outlook may not load the Recognize app correctly. You might see missing information, buttons that do not work, or the app may not open at all. This often happens because the program is using old temporary files, called “cache.” Clearing the cache removes these old files so Teams or Outlook can load Recognize fresh again. This process is safe, and the apps will automatically create new files when you reopen them.

Clear Microsoft Teams Cache for Windows (PC)

Clear Microsoft Teams Cache for Mac

Clear Outlook Cache for Windows (PC)

Clear Outlook Cache for Mac

 

Clear Microsoft Teams Cache

For Windows (PC)

  1. Close Teams completely

    • Look at the bottom right of your screen near the clock.

    • Find the purple Teams icon.

    • Right click it and choose Quit.

  2. Open File Explorer

    • Click the yellow folder icon on your taskbar.

  3. At the top of File Explorer, click the box that shows a file path and type:

    %appdata%\Microsoft\Teams

    Press Enter.

  4. You will see a bunch of files and folders.
    Select everything inside this folder and delete it.
    (Do not delete the main “Teams” folder itself. Only what is inside.)

  5. Restart Teams

    • Open Teams again.

    • Sign in if it asks you to.

For Mac

  1. Quit Teams

    • Right click the Teams icon on your dock and select Quit.

  2. Open Finder

    • Click the blue face icon on your dock.

  3. At the top, click Go then Go to Folder.

  4. Type this into the box:

    ~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.teams2/Data/Library/Caches

  5. Press Enter.
    You will see files and folders.
    Select everything and delete it.

  6. Restart Teams

    • Open Teams again.

Clear Outlook Cache

For Windows (PC)

Clear Autocomplete (the email suggestions list)

  1. Open Outlook.

  2. Click File in the top left.

  3. Click Options.

  4. Click Mail on the left.

  5. Find Send messages.

  6. Click Empty Auto Complete List.

  7. Click OK.

Clear Outlook's temporary file (OST file)

  1. Close Outlook completely.

  2. Open File Explorer (yellow folder icon).

  3. At the top, click the path bar and type:

    %localappdata%\Microsoft\Outlook

    Press Enter.

  4. Look for a file that ends with .ost.

  5. Delete the .ost file.
    This is safe. Outlook will create a fresh one.

  6. Open Outlook again and let it reload your mail.

For Mac (Outlook for Mac)

  1. Quit Outlook

  2. Open Finder

  3. At the top, click Go, then Go to Folder

  4. Type:

    ~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.Outlook/Data/Library/Caches

  5. Press Enter
    Delete everything inside the Caches folder

  6. Open Outlook again