Deleted Contacts do not stay "deleted" from Contacts List

Do you have instructions for users of Outlook for Mac? These directions cannot be duplicated on a Mac (for example, there is no Account Settings under File).

Hi @Sommerville Stacy, 

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A forum.  

Thank you for reaching out and providing those details. 

The issue you are experiencing, which deleted contacts reappearing in your Outlook Contacts List, can happen due to synchronization settings or linked accounts restoring the data automatically. 

I’ve tested the scenario based on your description, and many people encountered the same behavior initially. However, after testing in our environment, the feature works as expected when deleting contacts that are still active in the tenant.  

Moreover, if your Outlook is connected to multiple accounts such as Exchange, iCloud, or Google, these services may automatically sync contacts back after deletion. Additionally, cached data or outdated synchronization settings can sometimes cause previously removed contacts to reappear. 

Below are some workarounds that suit for your situation: 

1/ Start by reviewing linked accounts 

• Go to File > Account Settings > Connected Accounts and review if external services are syncing contacts. 

2/ Proceed by deactivating contact synchronization for external accounts to ensure compliance and security. 

• For example, in iCloud or Google settings, turn off contact sync to prevent re-adding. 

3/ Next, clear the Outlook cache to remove temporary files and improve application performance. 

• Close Outlook, navigate to %localappdata%\Microsoft\Outlook, and delete the .ost file. Outlook will rebuild it. 

4/ Then, ensure Outlook is updated to the latest version and verify sync settings under Options > Advanced > Send/Receive. 

5/ After disabling sync, delete unwanted contacts again. They should not return once external sync is stopped. 

Alternatively, as a forum moderator, I hope you understand that I don’t have the ability to modify or escalate product issues directly. However, I strongly recommend submitting your feedback through the Outlook · Community portal. This is the most effective way to ensure your voice reaches the product team and can be considered for future improvements.    

You've clearly identified a real-world challenge, and your suggestion reflects a deep understanding of user needs - feedback like yours is truly valuable and helps shape the future of Microsoft Teams.  

Sharing your experience through this channel is one of the most effective ways to advocate for improvements that benefit both you and the broader community.  Once you’ve submitted your feedback, feel free to share the link here. I’d be happy to upvote it to help increase its visibility.  

As community moderators, we kindly ask for your understanding that our access to internal development details is limited. Our primary role is to guide users toward the appropriate resources and support channels. While we may not have influence product design decisions and have limited access to internal development details, we’ll continue doing our best to support you within the scope of our responsibilities.   

I hope you find this information helpful.  

Thank you sincerely for your understanding regarding this limitation. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please feel free to reach out at any time.

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