A popular question on many forums goes something like this “Outlook isn’t recognized by [application_name]. The error is that Outlook isn’t my default mail program, but when I check the Default Programs, Microsoft Outlook is the default for everything.”
First and foremost, when you receive this message with Outlook 2010 64-bit, try the 32-bit version of Office. Few applications work with the 64-bit version and unless you need to open large (2 GB) Excel and Access files, you should not use the 64-bit version. Wanting to use the 64-bit version because you use a 64-bit operating system isn’t enough reason to use it – stick with the 32-bit build this time around.
Repeat: Avoid the 64-bit version unless you have confirmed the add-ins and utilities you want to use will work with it. There is no benefit to using the 64-bit version for typical users – Office is not going to run faster or better. Only those who work with huge (2GB) record sets and spreadsheets need the 64-bit version. The 32-bit version works fine on 64-bit Windows (do not use compatibility mode).
While many applications will work with the 32-bit version of Outlook, some programs will need to be updated before they will work with Outlook 2010 32-bit. Included on this list is Blackberry’s Desktop Manager and Quicken 2010. If you need these programs, you will need to stick with an older version of Office for now.
Note: If you are using a Click to Run suite, add-ins will not work with it.
If you sync with a smartphone or pda, you need to confirm your device will sync with the 64-bit version of Outlook. At this point in time, most sync software does not work with the 64-bit version (or Outlook 2010 32-bit for that matter). A short list of add-ins will work with it, but many more only work with the 32-bit version of Outlook.
From Microsoft: “Office 2010 provides support for the 32-bit version of Office 2010 programs running on 64-bit operating systems by using WOW64, a compatibility environment provided by the operating system that allows a 32-bit application to run on a Windows 64-bit operating system. Using the 32-bit version of Office 2010 allows people to continue to use existing third-party add-ins for Office that are 32-bit. The 32-bit version of Office 2010 is the recommended option for most users, because it prevents potential compatibility issues with other 32-bit applications, specifically third-party add-ins that are available only for 32-bit operating systems.”
Pros & Cons: 32-bit
- Many existing add-ins and programs work with it.
- Can co-exist with other 32-bit Office applications.
- Office 2010 has the same memory requirements as Office 2007 but even with 32-bit Office, you can open, edit, and switch among applications much faster on 64-bit Windows than on 32-bit Windows.
- Syncs using WDMC
Pros & Cons: 64-bit
- Supports larger file sizes – over 2GB in Excel and Access
- Most add-ins and Active X controls do not work with it
- Cannot co-exist with 32-bit Office family applications
- Syncing with Windows Mobile devices using WMDC NOT supported
“Click to Run” version
While the click to run Office suite is 32 bit, most add-ins will not work with it because it runs in a virtual space. Users need to install a regular 32-bit suite instead. I don’t recommend the Click to Run version, except for users who need two versions of Outlook.
More Information
Choose the 32-bit or 64-bit version of Microsoft Office (Microsoft Office website)
64-bit editions of Office 2010 (TechNet)
Outlook 2010 and Blackberry’s Desktop Manager
Understanding 64-Bit Office (Microsoft Office product development group blog)
Error message when you try to sync Windows Mobile Device Center with either Outlook 2010 64-bit version or with a Click-to-Run installation of Outlook 2010: “Either there is no default mail client or the current mail client cannot fulfill the messaging” (MSKB)
Office 2010/64-bit and Acrobat X (Adobe blog)
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Last reviewed on Sep 28, 2011
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