Outlook 365 for Windows: How to Turn Off Cached Mode for Shared Folders

This article explains how to turn off cached mode for shared folders in Outlook 365 to speed up launch time and prevent syncing issues with calendars and email folders.

In general “cached mode” should always be turned on. An exception is for users who connect to multiple accounts – even if they are not large ones – particularly when calendaring is involved as “oddities” often result. In these cases we recommend leaving cached mode turned on for the person’s main account, but turning it off for the shared folders. This can be done as follows:

1. With Outlook launched, choose File/Info. Click the Account settings button, then select Account Settings… as shown below:

2. The Account settings window will be displayed. Double-click the account name (username@middlebury.edu) to open the Exchange Account Settings dialogue window.
3. Click the More Settings button.
4. Click the Advanced tab.
5. And now… UNcheck the box beside “Download shared folders” as shown below.  Leave the “Use Cached Exchange Mode” box checked.

6. Click the Apply button, then OK.
7. Click Next on the Exchange Account Settings, then click Done to complete the process.  You will need to close Outlook then relaunch it for the changes to take effect.