There are different reasons for deleting Outlook Search history. It can help clear the cache and maximize more space for the application to run. It is also necessary for security and privacy concerns.
In this post, you will learn how to delete Outlook search history on the desktop and the web.
Let's get to the details.
Delete Outlook Search History on the Desktop App
Follow the steps below to delete Outlook search history on the desktop.
Step 1: Start Registry Editor
Start the deleting Outlook search history on the desktop by opening the Windows registry editor. Click on the Windows search button on your PC and type "regedit" in the search field. The system will display the app in the search results window. Click on the icon twice to open it.
Step 2: Allow Permission
The "user account control" dialog box will pop up when you open the registry editor. The system will ask for permission for the app to make changes to your device. Click allow to continue.
Step 3: Navigate the Registry Editor
From the registry editor window, follow the paths below depending on your Outlook version:
Outlook 2016/2013
Open the following folders successively if you use Outlook 2016 or 2013.
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER
- Software
- Microsoft
- Office
- 16.0 (for Outlook 2016) or 15.0 (for Outlook 2013)
- Outlook
- Profiles
- profile name
- 0a0d020000000000c000000000000046.
Outlook 2010/2007
Also, follow the path below if you use the 2010 or 2007 version of Outlook. Open each folder successively.
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER
- Software
- Microsoft
- Windows NT
- CurrentVersion
- Windows Messaging Subsystem
- Profiles
- 0a0d020000000000c000000000000046
Note that all the bulleted items are folder names. Also, the default profile name is Outlook unless you have changed it earlier. If you have, replace the profile name with the name you chose.
Step 4: Locate the File 101f0445
When you click the folder named “0a0d020000000000c000000000000046”, the registry values in it will display to the right of the window. Locate the registry value with the name 101f0445, right-click it, and select delete.
Step 5: Confirm Delete
A Confirm Value Delete dialogue box will pop up. Confirm the delete by clicking on the Yes option. The confirmation should clear your Outlook search history.
Step 6: Verify
Restart Microsoft Outlook to verify if the process successfully deletes the search history. Click the search tab, then the recent searches button. You should not see the previous search entries anymore.
However, if the entries in the search history still show, close the Outlook app and repeat the process. Otherwise, use the second method of deleting Outlook search history on the web.
Delete Outlook Search History on the Web
You can delete Outlook search history on the web with the following steps:
Step 1: Go to Outlook on the Web
Visit the Outlook web version and sign in if you are yet to sign in.
Step 2: Setting
Go to Settings and click on view all Outlook settings.
Step 3: General
On the Outlook settings page, click on General on the left side of the general settings page.
Step 4: Privacy and Data
The general outlook settings will display on the right side of the page. Click on Privacy and Data from the options to continue.
Step 5: Delete History
The search history section will top the Privacy and Data page. You will see the Delete History button. Click on it to continue.
Next to the Delete History button is the Export button. You can use that option if you wish to export the search history.
Step 6: Click Continue to Finish
A Confirmation box will pop up. Click on the continue button in the box, and the process is complete.
Conclusion
Deleting your Outlook search history is permanent. You can use the methods above if you are sure you want to.
However, you can view Outlook search history in any editor if you export it.
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