New Outlook for Windows is reportedly not starting anymore for some users
Microsoft introduced the new Outlook email client for Windows some time ago and cut access to two dedicated apps in the process. Despite heavy criticism, which focused mostly on limited functionality of the new client and privacy, Microsoft continued its path, which culminated in the automatic installation of the new client on some Windows systems.
This happened: Reports started to emerge on various social media sites on the weekend that the new Outlook would not start anymore for some users. Attempts to start the email program are met with no reaction whatsoever.
Users report that Outlook won't start anymore, which also means, that they can't access their emails anymore on their device. Martin Geuß, over at Dr. Windows, suggests that the issue is caused by the latest update for the email program. Microsoft published an update last Friday, which is also the day users started to report the issue.
While Microsoft has not acknowledged the issue at this stage, users have found a workaround. However, it needs to be noted that this reportedly works only if the Microsoft account is the standard account in Outlook. Worse, any additional account that has been added to Outlook is removed as a consequence and needs to be added again.
The solution, discussed here, suggests to delete the following folder on the system: C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Olk
Rename <username> with the name of the actual user. Note that the folder is hidden by default and that you need to enable that hidden items are shown in File Explorer. This is done in File Explorer with a click on View > Show > Hidden Items.
While deleting (or renaming) the folder may be tempting, some users of the new Outlook client may also be able to access the mail accounts online for the time being. Since the issue appears widespread, it is likely that Microsoft is going to release a fix for it eventually.
Another option is to use the classic Outlook desktop app, if available. It is part of Microsoft 365 and Microsoft confirmed already that it will support it until at least 2029.
Now You: do you use Outlook as your email client or another app or service? Did you by chance run into the problem? Feel free to leave a comment down below.
Here is a simple solution. Just clear the local user cache in Windows.
Steps:
1. Make sure Outlook for Windows isn’t running!
2. CTRL + R (Run)
3. Open: %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Caches
(You will be redirected to: C:\Users\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Caches)
4. Select all cache files
5. Delete them all (only those cache files that aren’t in use and since you have Outlook not running this is ok)
6. Skip the deletion for the cache files that are in use
7. Re-open Outlook for Windows from the Microsoft Store
Now you should be able to open Outlook again.
Reason why Outlook wouldn’t open was due to corrupted AppModel cache stored inside ‘%LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Caches’.
This folder contains “fast launch” metadata for Store apps (including the new Outlook), so if it gets corrupted then it might be that those apps won’t open again immediately (They only under a new Windows profile can be opened again, since those profiles aren’t corrupted).
By deleting the stale/locked cache files, Windows rebuilt a clean cache on reboot and Outlook finally will launch normally.
I have used MS Office for decades. With very few or no problems.
I find the “new” MS Office People to be buggy. Now, it won’t start.
Don’t want to have any risk of losing my sizeable number of contacts!
May go with advice offered online: Give MS six months to fix or dump Outlook.
I am computer fluent but not a tech geek.
Pushing updates on a friday, nice….. :P
People are using that crap web page wrapper? That is really not very smart. Professionals use Classic Outlook, which is a proper email client.
Microsoft making “achievements”. Thank you, Microsoft.
On serious note. It used to be that Windows users were classified as beta testers. Now they are alpha testers.
Yes, I’m having the same issue of not being able to launch ‘Outlook (new)’ on my laptop. I can launch Outlook (classic) and open my email online.
Thank you for the update. Its nice to find good information on the internet for a change.
It works perfectly. Thank you
That sounds like a new feature addition to Windows. A welcomed addition!