When you’re having problems with Outlook you may be told to start Outlook using a specific command line switch.
To do this:
Close Outlook.
At the Start menu, Run command (or open the Run command by pressing Windows Key (
) + R) type:
Outlook /switch
Then click OK to start Outlook. (There is a space between outlook and /.)
This screenshot shows how you enter it, using the /cleanreminders switch as an example.
Occasionally you’ll need to use the full path to Outlook, then the command line looks like this:
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office11\Outlook.exe” /switch
Notes:
Before using a command line switch, you need to close Outlook and verify it’s closed in Task Manager’s Processes tab.
Paths that include spaces between words must be enclosed in quotation marks (") and are case sensitive.
If you use Vista or Windows 7, you can type the command line in the Start Search field on the Start menu.
You’ll need the full path if you want to create desktop shortcuts using a switch, such as to open Outlook to a specific folder:
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office11\Outlook.exe” /select outlook:calendar
Frequently used Switches:
This group of switches are the most commonly used switches. (A complete list of switches is in the next section.)
/cleanreminders
Clears and regenerates reminders.
/cleanviews
Restores default views. Use with care as all custom views you created are lost.
/profile profilename
Loads the specified profile. If your profile name contains a space, enclose the profile name in quotation marks.
This switch is useful when there are multiple users of a Windows logon and each has their own Outlook profile. Create desktop shortcuts to load a specific profile – use the following command line in the shortcut, replacing my name with your profile name:
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office11\Outlook.exe” /profile "Diane Poremsky”
/profiles
Opens the Choose Profile dialog box regardless of the Options setting on the Tools menu.
/resetnavpane
Outlook 2007 and 2010 only. Resets the navigation pane back to the default when Outlook starts.
/resettodobar
Outlook 2007 and 2010 only. Resets the to-do bar pane to the default settings when Outlook starts.
/safe
Starts Outlook without extensions, Reading Pane, or toolbar customization. Works with all versions.
Can also open Outlook in Safe mode by holding Ctrl key as you click on the Outlook icon
All Switches
/a
Creates an item with the specified file as an attachment.
Usage:
Outlook /a "C:\My Documents\labels.doc”
If no item type is specified, IPM.Note form is assumed. This switch cannot be used with message classes that aren’t based on Outlook.
/altvba otmfilename
Opens the VBA program specified in otmfilename, rather than %appdata%\Microsoft\Outlook\VbaProject.OTM. Use this switch when you need to run macros not in your VBAProject file.
/autorun macroname
Opens Outlook and immediately runs the macro specified in macroname.
/c messageclass
Creates a new item of the specified message class, works for any valid MAPI form.
Examples:
- /c ipm.activity creates a Journal entry
- /c ipm.appointment creates an appointment
- /c ipm.contact creates a contact
- /c ipm.note creates an e-mail message
- /c ipm.stickynote creates a note
- /c ipm.task creates a task
/checkclient
Prompts for the default manager of e-mail, news, and contacts.
/cleanclientrules
Starts Outlook and deletes client-based rules. Used by non-Exchange account users.
/cleandmrecords
Deletes the logging records saved when a manager or a delegate declines a meeting. Used by Exchange Server accounts.
/cleanfinders
Removes Search Folders from the Microsoft Exchange server store.
/cleanfreebusy
Clears and regenerates free/busy information. This switch can only be used when you are able to connect to your Microsoft Exchange server.
/cleanprofile
Removes invalid profile keys and recreates default registry keys where applicable.
/cleanpst