How can I force a reinstall of Outlook 365 (Latest version - whatever it is called)

Sigurd · Feb 19, 2024

My PC running the latest desktop PC version of Windows and Office 365, now seemed to have been merged by the name of Windows 365 (I think) has a problem with Outlook, which won't load.

I have found various references to similar problems with various solutions but most seem to be outdated - the steps described are not possible because references to various steps are often missing and I can't find the step nor the location anywhere else.

Simple solution would appear to be a re-installation and re-setup of Outlook, but even that is proving hard to find.

I'd welcome pointers.

Rollback_Jockey · Feb 19, 2024

Did you keep the original installer?

Archigos · Feb 19, 2024

--Edit--
Use @glasskuter link below and ignore my suggestion. Only follow this if the below doesn't work, so I'll leave it here for others to read
--End Edit--

Pending on your current setup/install... Here's what I would do... (Not sure if it's recommended, but seems logical).

I know it's not ideal, but, I would download the Office Uninstall Tool (More info on Microsoft's site) and fully remove ALL of Office. Reboot the computer, then visit Office's website and click the "Already entered your key..." (however it's worded) link to log into your Microsoft Account and reinstall the latest version from scratch.

Note for the above... You WILL have to reconfigure all Office apps to get back to the settings you used to have, the removal tool will nuke any custom settings when you use it. (So, set your email in Outlook again, maybe change your default font in Word, or whatever you need to do).

glasskuter · Feb 19, 2024

Repair an Office application - Microsoft Support

Repair broken Office app installations.

support.microsoft.com

Dru2 · Feb 19, 2024

Sigurd said:
My PC running the latest desktop PC version of Windows and Office 365, now seemed to have been merged by the name of Windows 365 (I think) has a problem with Outlook, which won't load.

I have found various references to similar problems with various solutions but most seem to be outdated - the steps described are not possible because references to various steps are often missing and I can't find the step nor the location anywhere else.

Simple solution would appear to be a re-installation and re-setup of Outlook, but even that is proving hard to find.

I'd welcome pointers.

"If" you have a "paid" and activated subscription of Office 365, it would show in your Microsoft Account, under Services & subscriptions. There you can download the installer to reinstall on your PC.

Many people think they have the "paid" version of 365, but unless you actually paid for a subscription, what you might have is the free online service offered by Microsoft - Download Microsoft Office | Microsoft 365. That version would NOT be listed in your Microsoft Account, or "locally" installed on your PC. It is ONLY the online version - you cannot install apps locally on your PC.

All, that said, if you in fact have their free version, note Outlook is not part of that package, and you would most likely be using the "Windows 11 version of "Outlook".

Try3 · Feb 19, 2024

Sigurd said:
has a problem with Outlook, which won't load

1 Please explain what happens when you tell MSOffice Outlook to load & how your other MSOffice applications are behaving.

2 I suggest you try Outlook Safe mode first then use the rest of the guidance in the second link.
Open Outlook in Safe mode - MSSupport
I cant start MSOffice Outlook - MSSupport

3 I suggest you try repairing your existing Office next.
Repair an Office application - MSSupport

4 And check-repair your pst or ost file.
Repair Outlook Data Files (.pst and .ost) - MSSupport

5 Then, if necessary:-
Uninstall Office from a PC - MSSupport
Manually uninstall Office apps - OfficeSupport
Then check in Settings, Apps lists that you have uninstalled every version of Office before trying to re-install
Download and install or reinstall Office - MSSupport

Best of luck,
Denis

Dru2 · Feb 19, 2024

Actually, the first thing the OP needs to figure out is if they actually have a paid subscription. As noted, many think they do, but actually don't. And especially, if you bought a PC with a 6-month subscription, included. Here many aren't aware they need to renew to keep the service going.

The easiest way to do this is to check their Microsoft account. All this takes less than a minute, if that.

Sigurd · Feb 19, 2024

Dru2 - I have a paid subscription on Direct Debit so the installation is valid.
Dennis - didn't explain what happens because nothing does! It appears to be loading but doesn't. Looking at Task Manager it hadn't. Yet when I closed PC there was a hold up because "Outlook was still running". I'll work my way through your usual useful suggestions in the morning. All other Office apps are OK.

I think Glasscutter has pointed to the problem I am having. There are that can be found by Googling that supposedly do the job bu t don;t. The one suggested I had already tried.
Uninstall Office and reinstall would probably work but a bit blunderbuss. I was hoping for a way of just dealing with Outlook. However none of the Office apps would require a lot of reconfiguration and I do have a recent backup of the data so wouldn't be a disaster or even a tumble of a bike.

Try3 · Feb 19, 2024

You cannot uninstall-reinstall just Outlook. You have to do the whole set.

Sigurd said:
I was hoping for a way of just dealing with Outlook

What about my suggestions in post #6 such as my paras 1,2,4?

Denis

Stupsi · Feb 19, 2024

Very good advice, maybe an easier way. Uninstall the new outlook 365 from start-installed apps-advanced settings and then uninstall. If that does not remove it-no worries--go to next step. In the windows search bar, type Outlook--the legacy outlook should appear and then click on it and install it. Once its installed, configure it and away you go.. This worked for me and hope it helps..

Try3 · Feb 19, 2024

Stupsi said:
the legacy outlook

What?

Stupsi said:
Uninstall the new outlook 365

You can only uninstall the whole of Office not individual Office applications.

I get the impression that your post mixes up references to MSOffice Outlook 365 with those to the Windows app called Outlook.

All the best,
Denis

Stupsi · Feb 19, 2024

oop's forgot to add that if all that does not work out for you, go to your control panel and click on and highlight your office installation ( Microsoft 365) , then click on "change" above which is next to uninstall. When you click on "Change" you can do a local or online repair of your Microsoft 365 installation wherein it should correct any problems you were experiencing. I would recommend doing an online repair as it puts a fresh installation on the system. Doing a local repair uses the files you have on your computer and is not recommended if you were having problems with one of your office programs. If the online repair process puts the new Outlook on the system, no worries, just search for the legacy Outlook as explained earlier and install that. All done...:)

Berton · Feb 19, 2024

I have a Win11 Notebook that came with a year of Microsoft 365, has this feature in Control Panel, Programs and Features:

Stupsi · Feb 19, 2024

Try 3 is absolutely correct......when I did an online repair as mentioned it did reinstall the whole mix of Office applications and not an individual Office application. Did not mean to make it confusing,
I'll leave it to the VIPS...

Edwin · Feb 19, 2024

Get the OfficeSetup executable from your Subscription page and run it..., it'll know what to do.

Dru2 · Feb 19, 2024

Sigurd said:
Dru2 - I have a paid subscription on Direct Debit so the installation is valid.

OK. Cool.

play2mefish · Feb 19, 2024

When outlook doesn't start for me...I use the task manager and just kill outlook. Then I restart outlook and it normally starts right up. Simple but effective.

Edwin · Feb 20, 2024

play2mefish said:
When outlook doesn't start for me...I use the task manager and just kill outlook. Then I restart outlook and it normally starts right up.

Another thing I noticed with Outlook, 'Hide when minimized' is always on by default, after an update!

Sigurd · Feb 20, 2024

Thank you all. Useful information as usual filed away for the future.

My latest news - I tried Try3's first suggestion which, as happened when I tried that myself earlier including a re-boot, didn't seem to do anything. It was late so went to bed. What I did do just before doing so, was to change the Outlook password via Plesk (I manage the village 's domain and web site and my email address is based on that). This morning I got access to Outlook, changed the password to the new one and it worked!

If a non- AI enabled computer is capable of causing this amount frustration I shudder to think what a malevolent AI one will do!

How can I force a reinstall of Outlook 365 (Latest version - whatever it is called)

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