How do I recover the auto populate feature when typing email addresses

Solo-Gabriele, Helena M 0 Reputation points
2026-09-30T21:07:23.7666667+00:00

How do I recover the auto populate feature when typing email addresses?

Outlook | Windows | Classic Outlook for Windows | For business

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  1. Chris-D 1,690 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-09-30T21:22:21.9633333+00:00

    Hi Solo,

    I hope you've been well.

    To restore the AutoComplete feature in Classic Outlook, you can follow the steps below:

    1. Open Outlook and select File > Options > Mail.
    2. Scroll down to the Send messages section.
    3. Make sure Use Auto-Complete List to suggest names when typing in the To, Cc, and Bcc lines is selected.
    4. User's image
    5. Click OK, restart Outlook, and check whether email address suggestions appear again.

    If the option is already enabled but AutoComplete is still not working, you can rebuild the AutoComplete cache:

    1. Close Outlook completely.
    2. Press Windows + R.
    3. Enter the following path and press Enter: %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Outlook
    4. User's image
    5. Locate the RoamCache folder and rename it to RoamCache_old.
    6. Reopen Outlook. Outlook should automatically create a new RoamCache folder.
    7. Send a few test emails to frequently used recipients so Outlook can rebuild the suggestion list.

    Rebuilding the cache may remove the existing saved suggestions, and Outlook will need to learn the addresses again as you send new messages.

    If the issue persists, let me know whether the problem affects all email addresses or only specific recipients.

    I hope this information is helpful. Should you have any further questions or need additional assistance, please feel free to share them in the comment below. I'm very happy to help.  

    I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

    If the answer is helpful, please click 'Yes' and kindly upvote it.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-09-30T21:07:40.4+00:00

    To restore Outlook’s auto-populate for email addresses in classic Outlook for Windows, try these steps in order:

    1. Make sure Auto-Complete is turned on
      • Go to File > Options > Mail.
      • Scroll to Send messages.
      • Make sure Use Auto-Complete List to suggest names when typing in the To, Cc, and Bcc lines is checked.
    2. Rebuild an entry that was removed
      • If a specific address no longer appears, type the full email address manually and send a message to that recipient.
      • Outlook adds recipients to the Auto-Complete list as messages are sent.
    3. Remove a bad cached suggestion
      • Open a new email.
      • Start typing the name or address.
      • When the unwanted suggestion appears, highlight it and select the X, or press Delete.
      • Then send a new message to the correct address so Outlook can learn it again.
    4. If Outlook still does not learn new addresses, clear the Auto-Complete cache
      • A damaged Auto-Complete cache can prevent Outlook from adding new recipients.
      • In classic Outlook, go to File > Options > Mail and use Empty Auto-Complete List.
      • Important: this removes all previously saved Auto-Complete entries.
    5. Version note for Microsoft 365 with Exchange Online
      • Starting with Outlook for Microsoft 365 Version 2202 (Build 14931.20604), if Outlook is connected to an Exchange Online mailbox, compose suggestions for To/Cc/Bcc are powered by Microsoft Search. In that case, older AutoComplete file-based guidance does not apply.

    If the issue is only with one contact, step 2 is usually enough. If no addresses are being suggested at all, step 1 and then step 4 are the main fixes.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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