Outlook stores a number of recently used lists, from other users mailboxes, to locations, and recent searches, and stationery lists. If you want to clear the list you need to delete the appropriate registry value. Because the values are stored in binary format, you can’t edit the list to remove some entries from it, only delete the entire list. The next time Outlook is used, it will recreate a blank key.
The MRU lists are stored in two areas, the user profile key under Windows Messaging Subsystem or Outlook’s key.
MRUs under the profile key
Navigate to the profile key, found at:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows Messaging Subsystem\Profiles\<profile name>\0a0d020000000000c000000000000046
| MRU list: | Value to delete from the list of values under 0a0d020000000000c000000000000046 |
| Actions, New Mail Using, Stationery list | 101f035e |
| File, Open, Other Users Folders (OL97/2002) | 101e0384 |
| File, Open, Other Users Folders (OL2003) | 101f0390 |
| Move to Folder history | 101f031e |
| Save Sent Items folder list | 101f0449 |
| Insert, Signature dialog of the Outlook editor | 101f035c |
| Find Contact (Outlook 20072010) | 101f0446 |
Note that this is the key in Windows 2000/XP/Vista – the path may be slightly different in earlier versions. If you can’t find it, search for “Windows Messaging Subsystem”.
MRUs under the Outlook key
Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\xx.0\Outlook\, where xx is your version of Outlook.
| MRU list: | Delete this value: |
| Find Contact toolbar button (not Outlook 2010) | ..\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 |
How to use the Registry Editor
Many of the Most Recently Used (MRU) lists in Outlook can be deleted by editing the registry. Quit Outlook then open the registry editor from the Start menu, Run command by typing regedit, and then click OK.
Navigate the left pane of the registry editor, looking for HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\xx.0\Outlook\
or HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows Messaging Subsystem\Profiles\
Outlook Version numbers are as follows:
| Outlook 2010 | 14.0 |
| Outlook 2007 | 12.0 |
| Outlook 2003 | 11.0 |
| Outlook 2002 | 10.0 |
| Outlook 2000 | 9.0 |
| Outlook 98 | 8.5 |
| Outlook 97 | 8.0 |
Once you locate the proper set of keys, use File, Export to back up this section of the registry. If you are worried you made a mistake, you can double click on the *.reg file to restore it. Next, browse for the specific keys mentioned above. Select the value on the right side and delete it.
MRU’s in other applications
If you need to delete MRU list in other windows applications use the Registry Editors Edit, Find menu to look for the keyword “MRU”.
More Information
Articles that may interest you:
Last reviewed on Sep 28, 2011
Hot Topics