Clearing Outlook's Most Recently Used (MRU) lists

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

Note that this is the key in Windows 2000/XP - 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.

How to use the Registry Editor

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 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.

More Information

MRU's in other applications