Tip 46: Outlook's Command Line Switches

Outlook supports a number of command line switches, including switches you can use to open Outlook to a specific folder, send email using a specific form, and several troubleshooting switches.

To use the switches, open the Start menu, Run command and enter the command line in this format:

Outlook.exe /select outlook:calendar

If you receive errors, use the full path to Outlook and the switch:

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\OUTLOOK.EXE" /cleanreminders

Outlook's Help file has a list of the command line switches. Locate them by searching Help for a switch by name — such as "cleanreminders"

The Knowledge Base contains information on additional switches for older versions of Outlook:

• Outlook 2002 KB 296192
• Outlook 2000 KB 197180
• Outlook 98 KB 182112

Outlook 2003's command line switches are listed at How to use Outlook’s Command line switches.

Published October 9, 2003. Last updated on May 4, 2017.

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