How to disable Outlook’s Download shared folders from GPO

October 2022 · 4 minute read
gpo disable outlook download shared folders

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  • Outlook’s shared mail folders are cached by default for users who utilize the email software with its Cached Exchange mode. That has been the default configuration for Outlook’s Cached Exchange mode since MS Office 2010.

    Thus, shared folders downloaded automatically. However, Outlook users can disable shared folder caching.

    How can I disable Outlook’s default shared folder caching?

    1. Turn off Outlook’s shared folder caching with Group Policy Editor

  • Users with Windows platforms that include Group Policy Editor can configure the shared folder caching Group Policy Object for Outlook. To do that, download one of the following Group Policy Editor templates for your Outlook (Office) version:
    • Group Policy template for Office 2016-19 and 365
    Group Policy template for Office 2013
    Group Policy template for Office 2010
  • Extract either the admintemplates_32bit.exe or admintemplates_64bit.exe file to one of your folders.
  • Next, copy either the Outlk16.admx (for Office 2019, ‘16, and 365) or Outlk15.admx (for Office 2013) file to this folder path: C:WindowsPolicyDefinitions.
  • Then copy the Outlk16.adml (for Office 2019, ‘16, or 365) or Outlk15.adml (for Office 2013) file to: C:WindowsPolicyDefinitionsxx-xx. The xx-xx at the end of the path is the Language Culture Name for that folder, which would be en-us for most users in North America.
  • Thereafter, you should be able to select a Disable shared mail caching setting in Group Policy Editor. Press the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut to open the Run accessory shown directly below.The Run accessory gpo outlook disable download shared folders
  • Input ‘gpedit.msc’ in Run, and click the OK button.
  • Double-click User Configuration on the left of the Group Policy Editor window.
  • Click Administrative Templates > Microsoft Outlook > Outlook Options > Delegates to open the Group Policy Object settings in the shot directly below.Group Policy Editor gpo outlook disable download shared folders
  • Double-click the Disable shared mail folder caching setting.
  • Select the Enabled option, and click the OK button.
  • You don’t have the Group Policy Editor on your Windows PC? Get it right now in just a couple of easy steps.

    2. Use the Registry Editor to turn off Outlook’s shared folder caching

  • If you don’t have a Group Policy Editor, you can still turn off the default shared folder caching by editing the registry. Open the Run accessory.
  • Input ‘regedit’ in Run’s text box and click OK to launch the Registry Editor.The Registry Editor gpo outlook disable download shared folders
  • Open this registry path in the Registry Editor: HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftOfficexx.0OutlookCached Mode. The xx.0 placeholder represents different versions of Office, which would be 16.0 for Office 2019 & ‘16, 15.0 for Office 2013, and 10.0 for Office 2010.
  • If you can’t find a Cached Mode key, right-click the Outlook key and select Edit.
  • Select New > Key on the menu.
  • Enter ‘Cached Mode’ as the key title, and press the Return keyboard key.
  • Then select the Cached Mode key.
  • Right-click an empty space on the right of the Registry Editor to select New > DWORD Value.DWORD Value option gpo outlook disable download shared folders
  • Enter ‘CachedOthersMail’ as the DWORD title, and press the Return key.
  • Double-click CachedOthersMail to open the window shown directly below.Edit DWORD Value window gpo outlook disable download shared folders
  • Adjust its value to 0, and click the OK button.
  • Exit the Registry Editor window.
  • If you can’t edit your Windows 10‘s registry, read this handy guide and find the quickest solutions to the issue.

    Can’t access the Registry Editor? Things aren’t as scary as they seem. Check out this guide and solve the issue quickly.

    That’s how Outlook users can disable the default Microsoft Exchange shared folders setting. Thereafter, shared mail folders will not download to the local cache.

    If you have any other questions or suggestions, don’t hesitate to leave them in the comments section below.

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