How to disable or enable Cached Exchange Mode in Outlook

In the Cached Exchange Mode, a copy of your mailbox is saved on your computer. The copy offers prompt access to your data and is often updated with the server that runs Microsoft Exchange. Cached mode is the default when you add an exchange or Microsoft 365 account. You cannot use a Cached Exchange Mode with a POP or IMAP account. It is said that Cached Exchange Mode offers a better experience when you use an Exchanged Account.  In this tutorial, we will explain how to enable Cached Exchange Mode in Microsoft Outlook.

How to disable or enable Cache Exchange Mode in Outlook

Follow the steps below to enable Cache Exchange Mode in Outlook:

1. Launch Outlook.
2. Click File
3. On the Info tab, click Account Settings and select Accounts settings from the menu.
4. On the Email tab, click Exchange or Microsoft 365, then click the Change button.
5. Check the checkbox for Use Cache Exchange Mode to download email to an outlook data file.
6. Click Next, then click Done.
7. Restart Outlook

Launch Outlook.

Click the File tab on the menu bar.

On the Info tab, click the Account Settings button.

Then click the Accounts Settings option from the menu.

An Account Settings dialog box will open.

On the Email tab, click Exchange or Microsoft 365 in the Name box. We are using Microsoft 365.

Click the Change button.

An Exchange Settings dialog box will open.

Under Offline Settings, check the checkbox for Use Cache Exchange Mode to download email to an outlook data file.

If the user is a Microsoft 365 subscriber with semi-annual updates under Offline Settings, check Use Cached Exchange Mode to download email to an Outlook data file.

Click Next, then click Done.

Restart Outlook for all your changes to take effect.

If you notice that the Cache Exchange Mode is greyed out, this means that you only have a POP3 or IMAP account in Outlook. The option is also greyed out if you are using Windows Server with Terminal Services installed.

What is the difference between cached Exchange mode and online mode?

There are two methods to connect to an Outlook Exchange account: Online Mode and Cached Exchange Mode. Online Mode maintains a direct connection to an Exchange server, while Cached Exchange Mode creates a local copy of the mailbox data stored on the Exchange server in an Offline data file.

READ: Click here to view more on Microsoft Exchange hyperlink missing in Outlook

Should I use Cached Exchange Mode?

It is recommended to always use Cached Exchange Mode with a Microsoft 365 account. The Online Mode works by using information directly from the server, and it requires a connection. You can use Cached Exchange Mode to work with items in your Microsoft 365 or Microsoft Exchange Server mailbox even when your network connection is slow or unavailable. You cannot use Cached Exchange Mode with a POP or IMAP account.

How do I enable Cached Exchange mode in Outlook?

Follow the steps below to enable Cached Exchange Mode in Outlook:

1. Click the File tab
2. Click Options on the backstage view.
3. On the Info tab, click the Account Settings button.
4. Then click the Accounts Settings option from the menu.
5. On the Email tab, click the Exchange.
6. A Change Account dialog box will open.
7. Under Offline, disable or enable the Use Cached Exchange Mode checkbox.
8. Click Next, Ok, the Finish.
9. Then close the dialog box.

READ: Connection to Microsoft Exchange is unavailable – Outlook error

We hope this tutorial helps you understand how to enable a Cache Exchange Mode in Outlook.