Windows 7: Cannot start Microsoft Outlook

Please help guys!

Yesterday my outlook was fine in the morning and suddenly I keep getting this message and cannot open it to get my emails! I run a business from home so am desperate to access these emails.

The error message is...."Cannot start Microsoft Outlook. Outlook requires Microsoft Outlook Express 4.01 or greater. You can install Outlook Express by running IE5Setup.exe from the IE5 folder located on your CD or through the Windows Update website".

Now I've googled this and quite a few people have had this problem too and I've tried various answers that have worked for others but they don't work for me!

The most common answer is to go to regedit and then find........

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Active Setup\Installed Components\{44BBA840-CC51-11CF-AAFA-00AA00B6015C}

In the right pane there should be a value named IsInstalled. The data value for it should be 00000001. If yours ends with a zero, double click on IsInstalled and change the zero to a 1. Then try starting Outlook.

But when I got to that folder there is no IsInstalled file there to change the data value on. There is a folder below it similar ending 00AA00B6015F which has an IsInstalled file where the value is already '1' so doesn't need changing!

Any help would be very much appreciated and apologies for making this query so 'wordy'.

Many thanks guys.

Hello Triscan and welcome to Seven Forums.

You could try this:

Start->run..then type the following -> "Outlook.exe /resetnavpane"

Cannot start Microsoft Office Outlook. Cannot open the Outlook window. - Microsoft Answers

Or you could try to repair Microsoft Office.

How to install or repair and reinstall Office 2003 programs and features

How to install the individual 2007 Office features or to repair the installed 2007 Office programs

Repair or remove Office 2010 - Access - Office.com

Triscan, Welcome to the windows 7 forums.

You could try to go to installed programs and try a repair on your oulook or ms office.
I find that everytime that ms issues updates, my outlook 2010 has problems starting and I now
go and do a repair each time that MS issues updates regardless of what they do.

Works for me
Rich

Thanks Guys, will try your advice.

Hi there

Have tried your suggestions but still no luck, just cannot open it at all!

Just keep getting that damn error message, even tried a system restore but cannot access that either!!

Are you saying you can't access system restore either? No restore points available or you really can't access it? If no access it could be malware on your machine. Would suggest running full scan with your installed anti-malware suite after updating. Then run full scan with free Malwarebytes.

Malwarebytes

You could also have damaged or corrupt system files. Try running system file checker scan from elevated command prompt (option two.) If problems are noted run scan 3 times rebooting in between each scan.

SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

You might have to run anti-malware scans in Safe Mode with Networking to get updates if computer is infected. SFC might need to be run in "plain" Safe Mode. Safe Mode can be accessed via Advanced Boot Options.

Advanced Boot Options

I have a few Office/Outlook 2010 (and 2007) installs, and i don't have a problem with Windows Updates.
Maybe you have some other underlying system issue or program installed causing this?

@Triscan
I assume you don't have any backup images you can restore, right?

I suggest you learn and use a backup/restore strategy for your OS + programs, and your data.
I believe 99+% of the time backup and restore could quickly and easily fix issues like this.
You have a business, so this should be even more important to you.
I know this doesn't help with your immediate crisis, but it's something you should do soon.
If not, the next crisis is just waiting to happen, and it could be worse than today's!

There are many SF tutorials you can read, and many of the SF experts can help you and answer questions.

hope this helps,
David