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What would prevent Outlook from opening?

14 years ago

I have Microsoft Office 2007 and run Windows 7. We unplugged everything the other day to switch over to a new UPS surge suppressor. Other than the speakers, which didn't get plugged in (I'm waiting for my son to do it, as I'm not up to crawling under the desk), everything works fine except for Outlook, which won't open.

It starts to open, and you can see the Outlook window for a brief moment before it disappears and is replaced by a message that says: Cannot start Microsoft Office Outlook. Cannot open the Outlook window.

I tried restarting the computer, but that hasn't helped. Word and Excel open normally.

Your thoughts are appreciate--thanks!

Susan

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Comments (5)

owbist
14 years ago
Susan you can use this procedure to install/repair just Outlook without messing up any settings on your other Office programs.
PKponder TX Z7B
14 years ago
That's a corrupted navigation pane error. Copy and paste the following command in your Run line: Outlook.exe /resetnavpane. Outlook will open and it takes only a few seconds :-)

I'm not sure if Windows 7 run line is under Start like XP though.

Pam
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alisande
Original Author
14 years ago
Is the Run line the same as the Command line? I thought so, but perhaps not. I found what I think is the Command line, and typed in Outlook.exe/resetnavpane. Got the following message: 'Outlook.exe' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.

On to Owbist's suggestion. The first part of the instructions involved opening the program first, which obviously I can't do. But there's a reference to a Plan B, which I'll check out.

Thanks, both of you.
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
14 years ago
you must pay attention to the space in any command and there is a space after exe before the /
in your response you did not type it with that space.
Best to just copy and paste with commands.
here is a good example page and explanation for some commands and how to do them.
How to use command line switches
Cannot open the Outlook window error
alisande
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks, RC. My eyes are to blame, as I didn't see the space. However, when I typed it in again (correctly this time), I got the same result.

Also, I ran the Windows Office Diagnostics, which found nothing wrong.

BUT, when I followed your link (the second one) and typed the command directly into what looks more like a search box, it worked beautifully. Outlook is now open. Thanks very much!

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