For certain actions, Outlook holds a list of most recently used items (MRU lists) so you have quicker access to them. In some case you want to clear this MRU list.
Outlook holds two different kind of MRU lists. Some are tied to the general Outlook configuration of the logged in user and others are tied to the specific mail profile Outlook has been started with. To clear either MRU list, them you can simply delete the corresponding registry key when Outlook is closed. If you are not comfortable editing the registry yourself you can use OutlookTools instead.
The following tables show an overview of MRU lists that Outlook is keeping and where you can find them in the registry. To open the registry editor use;
- Windows XP
Start-> Run and typeregedit - Windows Vista and Windows 7
Start-> type;regedit
For more information about editing the Registry see; Editing the Registry
Profile MRU
MRU lists that are kep in the mail profile are kept in the following key;
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows Messaging Subsystem\Profiles\profile name\0a0d020000000000c000000000000046
Replace profile name with the name of your mail profile (by default it is called Outlook).
If you can’t find this key look for the following key instead;
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows Messaging Subsystem\Profiles\0a0d020000000000c000000000000046
| MRU | Registry key |
| Actions, New Mail Using, Stationery | 101f035e |
| File, Open, Other User’s Folders(Outlook 97 – 2002) | 101e0384 |
| File, Open, Other User’s Folders (Outlook 2003 – 2007) | 101f0390 |
| Move to Folder history | 101f031e |
| Insert, Signature | 101f035c |
| Instant Search’s Recent Searches (Outlook 2007 – 2010) | 101f0445 |
| Find Contact toolbar button (Outlook 2007 – 2010) | 101f0446 |
| Include, Business Card (Outlook 2007 – 2010) | 101f042b |
| Save Sent Item To (Outlook 2007 – 2010) | 101f0449 |
Outlook MRU
MRU lists that are specific for the logged in user are kept in the following key;
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\version\Outlook\
Replace version with the number corresponding to your Outlook version;
| Outlook 97 | 8.0 |
| Outlook 98 | 8.5 |
| Outlook 2000 | 9.0 |
| Outlook 2002/XP | 10.0 |
| Outlook 2003 | 11.0 |
| Outlook 2007 | 12.0 |
| Outlook 2010 | 14.0 |
The MRUs are kept in the following subkeys;
| MRU | Registry key |
| Find Contact toolbar button (Outlook 97 – 2003) | \Contact\QuickFindMRU\QuickfindMRU |
| Find Pane’s Look in list | \Contact\StripSearchMRU\StripSearchMRU |
| Appointment Locations | \Preferences\LocationMRU |
| Advanced Find’s Search for Word(s) |
\Office Finder\MRU 1 |
| Advanced Find’s More Choices, Categories |
\Office Finder\MRU 3 |
Easily clear the MRU lists with OutlookTools.
