Using Command lines

When you're having problems with Outlook you may be told to start Outlook using a specific command line switch.

To do this:

 at the Start menu, Run command type:

Outlook /switch

Then click OK to start Outlook.

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

Note:  Paths that include spaces between words must be enclosed in quotation marks (") and are case sensitive. Also, if you use a version other than Office 2003, your correct path will be different.


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

 

Some of the more useful switches for beginners include:

/cleanreminders

Clears and regenerates reminders.

/cleanviews

Restores default views. Use with care as all custom views you created are lost.

/nopollmail

Starts Outlook without checking mail at startup.

/nopreview

Starts Outlook with the Reading Pane or Preview pane off (and removes the option from the View menu for Outlook 2002 and older).

/profile profilename

Loads the specified profile. If your profile name contains a space, enclose the profile name in quotation marks.

Using the default profile name Outlook uses when you use the wizard to create a profile:

outlook /profile Outlook

Create desktop shortcuts to load a specific profile (such as when two users share the same Windows logon) - 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.

/recycle

Starts Outlook using an existing Outlook window, if one exists. Can be used in combination with /explorer or /folder. The Outlook shortcut in the Quick Launch bar uses the /recycle switch.

The following are useful when troubleshooting problems in Outlook:

/safe

Starts Outlook without extensions, Reading Pane, or toolbar customization. Works with all versions.

/safe:1

Starts Outlook with the Reading Pane off. Outlook 2003 only.

/safe:2

Starts Outlook without checking mail at startup. Outlook 2003 only.

/safe:3

Starts Outlook with extensions turned off, but listed in the Add-In Manager. Outlook 2003 only.

/safe:4

Starts Outlook without loading Outcmd.dat (customized toolbars) and *.fav file. Outlook 2003 only.

 

To see all of the command line switches Outlook supports, see Using Command lines