Cannot start Microsoft Outlook. Cannot open the Outlook window.

92 Comments / Computer Repair, Outlook / By

Outlook. Yes Microsoft Outlook is a great productivity tool but what do you do when you see this error: “Cannot start Microsoft Outlook. Cannot open the Outlook window.” Outlook will not open when you click on the icon. Outlook teases you as it appears it’s going to start and then crashes.

Here’s the solution:

  1. Click on Start
  2. Click on Run
  3. In the Run box type: outlook.exe /resetnavpane
  4. Click OK
  5. Outlook should now start

That’s It! If Outlook wasn’t running because of the error: “Cannot start Microsoft Outlook. Cannot open the Outlook window,” and you followed the above procedure exactly then Outlook should now be working fine.

If this solution just saved your day, perhaps consider buying me an espresso? (Completely Optional)


92 thoughts on “Cannot start Microsoft Outlook. Cannot open the Outlook window.”

  2. Sam

    Thanks so much your advice worked perfectly. After hours of frustration. I now do not have to drive back to school 25 km away (on my holidays!!) to have tech support sort for me. Bless you!!!

  3. Chris D

    Worked great…just have to make sure you type the “space” between exe and /. Thank you so much!

  4. Dan

    THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

    many thanks

  5. Servergeek

    Thanks for the info! I’ve been administering a 1200 PC network for 5 years, and never seen this error until today! Thanks for the fix!

  6. Dave

    Fantastic! – this happened after a MS Win7 update, everything else worked ok, however outlook refused to open and the command line above worked like a treat, thanks you!

  9. Karen

    This worked in 30 seconds. What a treat not to have to go in circles with Microsoft and tech support. Thank you!

  13. Rick

    I spent hours trying to resolve this yesterday and last night my son told me to google this as he had the same problem and his IT guy couldn’t figure it out, so he spent the time on line and found this site. I copied and pasted the command and within seconds it worked. Thank you very much.

  16. Stephanie

    Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! If only all technical issues were so easily resolved! I copied and pasted the command, and Outlook was up and operating normally within seconds.

  17. Jorge

    Why is this happen.. It work great for me too, but I am wonder why is this happening. Does anyone know??

  21. Jim

    The first time I tryed it, I forgot the space after “exe” and it didn’t work but the second time it worked like a champ. Vista & Outlook 2007. If you are ever in the Tucson area, I would be happy to COMP you at my Condo Hotel. Take care and God Bless. Jim

  23. durisko

    AWESOME!!!! if you had an address I would mail you a starbucks card!!!! It worked! Thanks!!!

  25. Caroline

    Thank you so much! I am completely not a technie, but very dependent on Outlook for my business. This error message drove me absolutely crazy. Resolved in minutes, even though I have no idea what I am doing with a computer. Thanks very much for the very clear instructions.

  26. ReZeroX

    hey thanks a ton electrogeek, you did save my customers butt!

    if your even in Grand Rapids, ill definitely get you a cup at schuils coffee. second best in GR!

  28. claudine

    Thank You!!!! Working on this all day!! Super easy….you fixed it!!! THANK YOU…I can now go to bed!!! 🙂

  31. Tumi

    Thanks mucho… i knew absolutely nothing about anything but your solution helped me lots!

  32. MacMD

    Dear ElectroGeek,

    I have been trying for 3 days to solve this issue…repair and repair but in vain. It is awesome!! brilliant…thanks a lot man!

    Have a blessed day…

  35. Bonnie Bourgeois

    Thank you – I almost had to call the computer support guy because nothing I did was able to fix it until I searched the internet and found your site.
    Thank you so much!!!!!

  36. sami

    Hello ElectroGeek,

    Thanks A Lot…. also the comment that advised to do copy and paste.. it worked like magic..

  38. Steve

    It worked perfectly! THANK YOU…my Outlook opened, and one MUST type exactly as you stated! Thanks again! Is a virtual espresso OK?

  39. Wendy

    OMG, thank you sooooo much. I backed up my pc and then had this problem. Spent all day trying to figure out why. Did everything imaginable and nothing. Finally came across this and it worked. Really appreciate your post. May all ggod things happen to you always!!!!!!!!!

  40. Busta

    Hi ElectroGeek…I’m so frustrated. Here I am reading all this praise for your suggestion and it did not work for me. I still get the error. I am running WinXP and I just upgraded from Office2007 to 2010. I renamed my profile; and repaired through Add/Remove. I’d rather not remove it and reinstall. All other programs work except for Outlook. Ideas?

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