How to remove Outlook RSS Feeds

How to remove Outlook RSS Feeds

References:
http://blog.gnu-designs.com/solved-how-to-delete-rss-feeds-folder-from-outlook-2007/
http://www.christitus.com/blog/2011/03/16/disable-rss-feed-in-outlook-2007-using-gpo-group-policy-object/
http://www.extendoffice.com/documents/outlook/1319-outlook-add-remove-rss-feeds.html
http://www.slipstick.com/outlook/how-to-remove-rss-support-from-outlook/
http://gsexdev.blogspot.com/2013/05/clearing-rss-feeds-folder-in-exchange.html

I was asked to remove the RSS Folders from Outlook 2007. As none of the employees for my company uses this feature I set about finding a way to permanently remove them.

Registry Key

Create the following key if it does not exist and restart Outlook:

Outlook 2013

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\15.0\Outlook\Options\RSS DWORD: Disable Value: 1

Outlook 2010

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\14.0\Outlook\Options\RSS DWORD: Disable Value: 1

Outlook 2007

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Outlook\Options\RSS DWORD: Disable Value: 1

This turns off the RSS capability but does not remove the RSS folder from your message store. Personal folders created after you enable this registry value will not include the RSS folder; however, you will not be able to delete existing RSS folders using the Outlook UI. You’ll need to use a MAPI editor, such as MFCMAPI Editor or Outlook Spy, to hide or delete the folder.

After ensuring that the registry key exists you should be able to right-click and hit delete. Ensure that you have the appropriate permissions on the folder.

Group Policy

In Group Policy Editor navigate to User Configuration -> Polices -> Administrative Templates -> Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 -> Tools | Account Settings -> RSS Feeds

-Default RSS Feeds -> Set to Disabled
-Synchronize Outlook RSS Feeds with Common Feed List -> Set to Disabled
-Turn off RSS Feature -> Enabled

After all these are set you can reboot the workstations or force a GPO update by using gpupdate /force

By disabling RSS feeds you are cleaning up space on your Exchange store and speeding up your users outlook. I recommend doing this in any business.

Exchange Management Console

On the left under Organization configuration > Mailbox > Managed Default Folders Tab > Right-click on RSS Feeds and when a new Outlook is setup it should be removed. 

It is also possible to create a Managed Folder Mailbox Policy to go out and remove any items in the RSS Feeds inbox and remove the folder. This is the safest approach. The Exchange Management Command Line interface approach is not as safe. 

Exchange Command Line Interface Powershell

http://gsexdev.blogspot.com/2013/05/clearing-rss-feeds-folder-in-exchange.html