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Common Problems and their Solutions

Slipstick Systems

The information contained in this section will help you solve problems with Outlook. While some of the problems are related to bugs (which may or may not get fixed), many of the problems are just how Outlook was designed, which doesn't necessarily fit with how we want to use it. Other problems are caused by the interaction between Outlook and other programs or Outlook add-ins.

Common Problems and their Solutions was last modified: February 8th, 2018 by Slipstick

Error: Serious error while processing CREATE (MsLimitNumFolders (74/76))

You receive this error message when you attempt to create new folders in your IMAP mailbox: "Cannot create the folder. The server responded: Serious error while processing CREATE (MsLimitNumFolders (74/76))"

Outlook is Slow Rendering HTML Messages

It's amazing how often a seemingly innocent action by the user and an update for a program can affect negatively another. In this case, it's MS07-027: Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer, released in mid-May. After installing that update, Outlook 2003 responds very slowly when typing HTML messages. The problem in this case is two-fold.  

The Signature or Stationery and Fonts button doesn't work

Outlook's Signature or Stationery and Fonts button are grayed out or won't do anything when you click it or causes Outlook to freeze or crash.

Recurring Meeting Bug

This "bug" affects only Dell laptops with Media Direct. This is really not an Outlook bug - it's caused by an add-in Dell ships with their laptops that support Media Direct. Dell laptops include an application called Media Direct and this application installs an Outlook add-in called "Outlook Setup Addin" (outlookaddin.dll) which causes problems for  

Problem: Outlook won't open forwarded messages (*.MSG)

If you receive an error when opening forwarded messages (sent as attachments), uninstall Google Desktop Search or revert to the previously installed version. Reports indicate that opening Settings, Options and removing the check from the "Use Documents and Spreadsheets to open certain file types" box corrects the problem without uninstalling GDS. If it doesn't help,  

Problem: Opening a vCard Crashes Outlook

Those handy little vCard files that make it easy to send phone and address information to all your friends and associates can also deliver an unpleasant payload. Outlook does not abide by the Internet RFC (Request for Comment) that defines the vCard format. If you open a vCard that contains too much information in one  

Save a Message as HTML and Delete the (Annoying) Folder

When you save a message as HTML in Outlook 2007 (and 2010), Outlook creates a matching (and annoying) folder containing XML and THMX files. I'll show you how to prevent Outlook from doing this.

Folder Home Pages aren't available

A security update released on October 11 2017 removes the Home Page tab from Outlook 2010, 2013, and 2016. This change was made for security reasons but because so many applications use Folder Home Pages, a registry key will re-enable it.

Disappearing All Day Events

There is a bug in the Calendar's Day and Week view that causes all day events to disappear when the window size changes. Adjusting either Outlook's window size (either the height or width) or the calendar size (by adjusting the width of the navigation pane or to-do bar) will show or hide the all day  

The operating system is not presently configured to run this application

A number of users are reporting an error message when they try to open any Office applications: "The operating system is not presently configured to run this application"

Could not complete the operation. One or more parameter values are not valid.

When you receive this error message: Could not complete the operation. One or more parameter values are not valid. while addressing or sending an email message, meeting request, or assigning a task, or saving a new contact, your auto-complete list may be corrupt. Some users also report getting this error when they save an appointment  

The Add-in Cannot Be Found

If you receive an error message when Outlook loads that states an add-in cannot be found, it's because the profile is looking for an add-in you don't have installed. The error you receive may be one of these or something similar: "<path\filename> is not a valid Office add-in" "The add-in could not be installed or  

Outlook Only Starts in Safe Mode?

After installing Office updates, Outlook only starts in Safe mode.

Imported Addresses are Missing from Address Book

Addresses imported into the Contacts folder may not appear in the Address Book display.

Add-in can only be Disabled by an Administrator

When you attempt to remove an add-in, the dialog tells you that only an administrator can connect or disconnect the add-in: This add-in is installed for all users on this computer and can only be connected or disconnected by an administrator.

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Change Insight's Focus Time Appointments

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Delete folders using a macro or PowerShell

Use PowerShell to Bulk Change Contacts

Warn Before Sending: Checking Contact Categories

Use PowerShell to Export and Import Categories

Using VBScript in Outlook Development

Recent Bugs List

Microsoft keeps a running list of issues affecting recently released updates at Fixes or workarounds for recent issues in Outlook for Windows.

Office Update History

Update history for supported Office versions is at Update history for Office

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Windows 10 Issues

  • iCloud, Outlook 2016, and Windows 10
  • Better Outlook Reminders?
  • Coming Soon to Windows 10: Office 365 Search
  • Outlook Links Won’t Open In Windows 10
  • BCM Errors after Upgrading to Windows 10
  • Outlook can’t send mail in Windows 10: error Ox800CCC13
  • Missing Outlook data files after upgrading Windows?

Outlook 2016 Top Issues

  • The Windows Store Outlook App
  • Emails are not shown in the People Pane (Fixed)
  • Calendars aren’t printing in color
  • The Signature or Stationery and Fonts button doesn’t work
  • Outlook’s New Account Setup Wizard
  • BCM Errors after October 2017 Outlook Update
  • Excel Files Won’t Display in Reading Pane
  • Outlook 2016: No BCM
  • Exchange Account Set-up Missing in Outlook 2016

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Recover Deleted Items

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