• Outlook User
  • New Outlook app
  • Outlook.com
  • Outlook Mac
  • Outlook & iCloud
  • Developer
  • Microsoft 365 Admin
    • Common Problems
    • Microsoft 365
    • Outlook BCM
    • Utilities & Addins

How to clean up Outlook's Forms Cache

Slipstick Systems

› Developer › Custom Forms › How to clean up Outlook’s Forms Cache

Last reviewed on October 1, 2015     7 Comments

When you receive the message

The form required to view this message cannot be displayed. Contact your administrator

It usually means that you need to clean Outlook's forms cache.

To clear the forms cache in Outlook 2010 and newer, follow these steps:

  1. Go to Filemenu, Options.
  2. Click Advanced.
  3. Click Custom Forms.
  4. Click Manage Forms.
    clear the forms cache in Outlook 2010 and newer
  5. Click Clear Cache.
  6. Restart Outlook.

To clear the forms cache in Outlook 2007 and older, follow these steps:

  1. Go to Tools menu, Options.
  2. Click the Other tab, and then Advanced Options.
  3. Click Custom Forms.
  4. Click Manage Forms.
    Forms dialog
  5. Click Clear Cache.
  6. Restart Outlook.

If that doesn't work, delete the Forms Cache Files.

  1. Close Outlook.
  2. Locate the Forms folder. In Windows 7, 8 or Vista, its at C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\FORMS
  3. Delete all the frmcache.dat file and folders that are in the Forms folder. You'll have one folder for each custom form you have installed. If you haven't created custom forms, you won't have any folders here.
  4. Re-open Outlook.

cache files in Windows Explorer

When you restart Outlook, and use a form Outlook will automatically reinstall the form, recreating the forms cache and index.

For a shortcut to the Forms folder, copy, then paste the following line in the address bar of Windows Explorer in Windows 7, 8, Vista:
%localappdata%\Microsoft\Forms

or in Windows XP:
%USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Forms

path in address bar

How to clean up Outlook's Forms Cache was last modified: October 1st, 2015 by Diane Poremsky
Post Views: 120

Related Posts:

  • The custom form cannot be opened. Outlook will use an Outlook form instead.
  • Publishing Custom Forms
  • Solutions for common issues affecting Microsoft Outlook calendars user
    FAQ: Problems creating Appointments
  • No Automatic Signatures on Custom Forms & Templates

About Diane Poremsky

A Microsoft Outlook Most Valuable Professional (MVP) since 1999, Diane is the author of several books, including Outlook 2013 Absolute Beginners Book. She also created video training CDs and online training classes for Microsoft Outlook. You can find her helping people online in Outlook Forums as well as in the Microsoft Answers and TechNet forums.

Comments

  1. Neil says

    June 4, 2016 at 8:49 pm

    Tried both methods, but neither one worked. After deleting the frmcache.dat file and folders that are in the Forms folder, and making sure they were deleted by refreshing the folder, which was completely empty, I restarted outlook, opened a form, and still got the same message.

    Reply
    • Diane Poremsky says

      June 6, 2016 at 1:27 pm

      What controls are on the form? I've seen some forms error due to controls (including the category control) - removing the control and republishing it allowed the form to open. Also, make sure that email security is set to allow scripts if you are in a folder outside of your own Exchange mailbox - this is in the trust center.

      Reply
  2. James Burge says

    April 27, 2016 at 7:48 am

    WONDERFUL! This was the PERFECT resolution! Thank you!

    Reply
  3. Ileana Mendoza says

    February 22, 2016 at 1:12 pm

    Thanks, it solved my issue. I can open the forms in both versions of Outlook, 2010 and 2007

    Reply
  4. Bryan says

    December 11, 2014 at 4:56 pm

    The second method worked for me in Office 2010. Thanks!

    Reply
  5. Pushpraj says

    November 19, 2014 at 11:54 pm

    Thanks! Worked for me.

    Reply
  6. Sam says

    September 26, 2013 at 4:35 pm

    Spot on. This resolved an issue that was driving me crazy and I never would have figured out on my own. Thanks.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Visit Slipstick Forums.
What's New at Slipstick.com

Latest EMO: Vol. 31 Issue 7

Subscribe to Exchange Messaging Outlook






Support Services

Do you need help setting up Outlook, moving your email to a new computer, migrating or configuring Office 365, or just need some one-on-one assistance?

Our Sponsors

CompanionLink
ReliefJet
  • Popular
  • Latest
  • Week Month All
  • Use Classic Outlook, not New Outlook
  • How to Remove the Primary Account from Outlook
  • Reset the New Outlook Profile
  • Disable "Always ask before opening" Dialog
  • This operation has been cancelled due to restrictions
  • Change Outlook's Programmatic Access Options
  • How to Hide or Delete Outlook's Default Folders
  • Use Public Folders In new Outlook
  • Removing Suggested Accounts in New Outlook
  • How to Delete Stuck Read Receipts
  • Sync Issues and Errors with Gmail and Yahoo accounts
  • Error Opening iCloud Appointments in Classic Outlook
  • Opt out of Microsoft 365 Companion Apps
  • Mail Templates in Outlook for Windows (and Web)
  • Urban legend: Microsoft Deletes Old Outlook.com Messages
  • Buttons in the New Message Notifications
  • Move Deleted Items to Another Folder Automatically
  • Open Outlook Templates using PowerShell
  • Count and List Folders in Classic Outlook
  • Google Workspace and Outlook with POP Mail
Ajax spinner

Recent Bugs List

Microsoft keeps a running list of issues affecting recently released updates at Fixes or workarounds for recent issues in classic Outlook (Windows).

For new Outlook for Windows: Fixes or workarounds for recent issues in new Outlook for Windows .

Outlook for Mac Recent issues: Fixes or workarounds for recent issues in Outlook for Mac

Outlook.com Recent issues: Fixes or workarounds for recent issues on Outlook.com

Office Update History

Update history for supported Office versions is at Update history for Office

Outlook Suggestions and Feedback

Outlook Feedback covers Outlook as an email client, including Outlook Android, iOS, Mac, and Windows clients, as well as the browser extension (PWA) and Outlook on the web.

Outlook (new) Feedback. Use this for feedback and suggestions for Outlook (new).

Use Outlook.com Feedback for suggestions or feedback about Outlook.com accounts.

Other Microsoft 365 applications and services




New Outlook Articles

Sync Issues and Errors with Gmail and Yahoo accounts

Error Opening iCloud Appointments in Classic Outlook

Opt out of Microsoft 365 Companion Apps

Mail Templates in Outlook for Windows (and Web)

Urban legend: Microsoft Deletes Old Outlook.com Messages

Buttons in the New Message Notifications

Move Deleted Items to Another Folder Automatically

Open Outlook Templates using PowerShell

Count and List Folders in Classic Outlook

Google Workspace and Outlook with POP Mail

Newest Code Samples

Open Outlook Templates using PowerShell

Count and List Folders in Classic Outlook

Insert Word Document into Email using VBA

Warn Before Deleting a Contact

Use PowerShell to Delete Attachments

Remove RE:, FWD:, and Other Prefixes from Subject Line

Change the Mailing Address Using PowerShell

Categorize @Mentioned Messages

Send an Email When You Open Outlook

Delete Old Calendar Events using VBA

Repair PST

Convert an OST to PST

Repair damaged PST file

Repair large PST File

Remove password from PST

Merge Two Data Files

Sync & Share Outlook Data

  • Share Calendar & Contacts
  • Synchronize two computers
  • Sync Calendar and Contacts Using Outlook.com
  • Sync Outlook & Android Devices
  • Sync Google Calendar with Outlook
  • Access Folders in Other Users Mailboxes

Diane Poremsky [Outlook MVP]

Make a donation

Mail Tools

Sending and Retrieval Tools

Mass Mail Tools

Compose Tools

Duplicate Remover Tools

Mail Tools for Outlook

Online Services

Calendar Tools

Schedule Management

Calendar Printing Tools

Calendar Reminder Tools

Calendar Dates & Data

Time and Billing Tools

Meeting Productivity Tools

Duplicate Remover Tools

Productivity

Productivity Tools

Automatic Message Processing Tools

Special Function Automatic Processing Tools

Housekeeping and Message Management

Task Tools

Project and Business Management Tools

Choosing the Folder to Save a Sent Message In

Run Rules on messages after reading

Help & Suggestions

Submit Outlook Feature Requests

Slipstick Support Services

Buy Microsoft 365 Office Software and Services

Visit Slipstick Forums.

What's New at Slipstick.com

Home | Outlook User | Exchange Administrator | Office 365 | Outlook.com | Outlook Developer
Outlook for Mac | Common Problems | Utilities & Addins | Tutorials
Outlook & iCloud Issues | Outlook Apps
EMO Archives | About Slipstick | Slipstick Forums
Submit New or Updated Outlook and Exchange Server Utilities

Send comments using our Feedback page
Copyright © 2026 Slipstick Systems. All rights reserved.
Slipstick Systems is not affiliated with Microsoft Corporation.