Microsoft introduced a new autocomplete feature in Outlook 2016, instead of showing only recently used addresses in autocomplete, it lists “Other Suggestions”. As with the previous autocomplete menu, recent addresses can be deleted by either selecting the entry then pressing Delete or using the X to the right of the name.
To enable the old-style autocomplete list, you need to add the DisableAutoCompleteUpdate value to the Option key.Download a ready to use reg file: DisableAutoCompleteUpdate
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\Options
DWORD: DisableAutoCompleteUpdate
Value: 1
Since Other Suggestions entries don’t include the X, how do you delete them?
The easiest way, if Outlook cooperates, is to type enough of the name so that it moves up to the Recent People section, where it can be deleted.
If Outlook doesn’t cooperate, you’ll need to switch to Contacts and type all or part of the address into the Search Contacts field. On the Search ribbon, select All Contact Items (first button on the left of the Search ribbon).
The autocomplete entries are stored in a hidden folder called 'recipient cache', which is included in the All Contacts Items search. Autocomplete cache entries will only contain an email address; if you click the three dots in the contact card, the View Profile command, which shows you which folder the contact is in, is missing from the bottom of the menu (after Call). Select and delete the contact.
While we’re on the topic of the autocomplete cache entries showing up in instant search, I’ll mention that the DoNotIncludeNickNameCacheInSearch registry key breaks the new autocomplete dialog. It’s purpose is to limit the Search People results to actual contacts but with both Search People and autocomplete using the same control, it means the nickname cache is not included in autocomplete either.
I am using the most current version of Outlook desktop on a Microsoft 365 subscription as of May 2021. I have tried this, and even confirmed that the bad address no longer shows up when I search All Contact Items now that I have deleted it, and exited and restarted Outlook, but the bad address still comes up as an "Other Suggestion." I even deleted the two sent items from my mailbox in which I had accidentally typed the incorrect address that now keeps coming up as a suggestion, and emptied by Deleted Items folder, and yet the suggestion is still on the list. Any thoughts on why?
Thanks, so simple.
Stupid feature.
This is brilliant. So simple and well documented. Thank you.
Can't find the "All Contacts Items". My version is Office 365 Enterprise (Subscription). Any applicable version of this solution for the type of my Office? Thanks.
errr... when I go to 'All Contacts Items' I can't string search anything in there.. it's empty...
When I go to Recipient Cache (via unhiding the folder temporarily via mfcmapi) I get what LOOKS like my Suggestions .. but it doesn't add up.. the Suggestion in question i'm trying to delete.. appropriately/ironically/frustratingly.. is not in the list.. grrr ? Any ideas ?
Using Microsoft Outlook for Office 365 (ver 16.0) for what it's worth...
Interestingly enough when I did the steps the items was removed until I restarted Outlook and boom it was back. The bad address entry also shows up and auto completes in Outlook Web Access that suggests this bad information is also stored at the exchange server.
This is a foolish bad feature from our friends at MS. I've got a user with a bad address that I can't remove that spoofs an executive... bad bad bad. Thanks Microsoft it's not a bug it's a feature
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The bad address entry also shows up and auto completes in Outlook Web Access that suggests this bad information is also stored at the exchange server.
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The autocomplete list is stored in the mailbox. The suggested list is addresses who sent you mail recently - do you have the spoofed email in your mailbox? If so, delete it.
What was interesting is that prior to my user using OWA I DID have him dump the autocomplete cache. I was rather surprised to have the address show up in OWA. I wasn't kidding on the "it's a feature" not a bug since where I work it's a pretty common expression from the developers. (sometimes with a few verbal embellishments)
I had my user delete the email and said leave auto complete off till tomorrow then lets turn it back on. It was a classic CEO phish which of course polluted his name cache and then "picked it" when he had to email the CEO. The fact that MS hides the email name now in Outlook is a screwy bad security feature. (of course MS is the same company that still hides file extensions by default)
Hi, does this work for outlook365. Looks like im unable to search for this hidden folder. Thanks.
It works for Outlook desktop software, all versions.
doesnt work for me outlook 2019
Autocomplete is broken right now. :( It should be fixed in about a week.
still stuck with the new version of autofill suggested contacts
Did you roll back office? That is the only solution until Microsoft releases the update in about a week.
Thank you so much for this!! I had a contact suggestion showing for the past year with the same name as a contact I actually use so it was driving me mad now I’ve managed to rid the suggestion of the wrong contact