There are two now two issues with BCM: Missing Chart Controls and Missing Home Page tab.
The issue with the Home Page tab began with the Outlook update released on October 10, 2017. This security update removed the Home Page tab from all folders, in an effort to increase security. Plus, it's a little used feature... but many add-ins, such as BCM, use it.
If the home page isn't set, you'll get this error message when trying to click on the "Contact Management tab & Business Contact Manager:
Business Contact Manager for Outlook could not complete your last action or action. Please try again.
The fix: add a registry key to re-enable home pages.
Remember: if a registry key doesn't exist, you'll need to create it!
Outlook 2013
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Office\15.0\Outlook\Security DWORD: EnableRoamingFolderHomepages Value: 1
Outlook 2010
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Office\14.0\Outlook\Security DWORD: EnableRoamingFolderHomepages Value: 1
Do it for me
Relevant KB articles are Outlook 2013: KB4011178; Outlook 2010 is KB4011196.
Chart Controls
Several users are having issues with Outlook and Business Contact Manager (BCM) after upgrading to Windows 10. It may also crash after installing Windows 10 updates.
Outlook loads fine but when you click on "Contact Management", Outlook quits and you get an error message stating: Microsoft Outlook has stopped working. A problem caused the program to stop working correctly. Windows will close the program and notify you if a solution is available.This issue started right after installing 10. I uninstalled and reinstalled BCM but that didn't do the trick.
- Uninstall Microsoft Chart Controls for Microsoft .Net Framework 3.5 from the control panel.
- Download Microsoft Chart Controls for Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5
- Install the chart controls
If, after installing Windows Updates, BCM crashes when you select Business Contact Manager in the Folder list or bar but not when you select a contact folder on the People pane repeat the steps above to reinstall the chart control.
Andre used this solution:
If BCM works for a little bit then crashes, go to File, Options, Add-ins and check the BCM add-ins. The "Business Contact Manager for Outlook" add-in should be enabled but the "Business Contact Manager Loader for Outlook" add-in should remain disabled.
If you can't get into Outlook, you can make the change in the registry. Check the load behavior of the BCM add-in in the registry and set it to 3.
For the newest BCM, the key is:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\Outlook\Addins\Microsoft.BusinessSolutions.eCRM.OutlookAddIn.Connect.5
LoadBehavior = 3
Amir says
Hi Diane,
Thank you so much for this post. I have been depressed for over a month. I did too many things like creating a Win7 VM for my Office 2010 and BCM2010. I just found out that after latest updates Win7 has the exact same issues.
On a fresh google search, I found this post.
For me, the home page and chart controls brought BCM 2010 to life.
For as long as you have had this blog, you have been a great service to people like me. You are the best outlook expert I know.
Best Regards
bobM says
update on forms resetting to default outlook forms.
I was able to restore my system to an earlier date. one of the following updates must have been the cause of changing the default forms.
KB4049065
KB4048951
KB4048953
KB4051613
these were the updates applied right after my BCM issues occured. restoring my PC to the day before (thank goodness there was a restore point) removed these updates and BCM is once again working correctly.
I have disabled automatic updates for the time being, hoping that someone can pinpoint exactly what changed and how to fix it. The company i work for will not let me keep updates off for long.
Diane Poremsky says
They are two flash and two windows updates. I'm thinking its kb4048953 (but i could be wrong.) Try installing them one at a time and seeing if the problem recurs. I'll see if i can repro.
Bob M says
Hi, I have BCM running with Outlook 2013 on a windows 10 machine. twice now I have had it running just fine but all of a sudden something changes with the forms. The BCM forms seem to reset to standard outlook forms. Accounts, Business contacts, Opportunities all revert standard forms. The first time this happened I had to reimage the drive to reinstall from scratch. everything was working fine then all of a sudden the forms reset to "standard"
any suggestions?
Mark says
Kurt's solution above worked for me too. Thanks Kurt!
Sparky says
Hi, i'm still getting the issue with "Business Contact Manager for Outlook could not complete your last action or action. Please try again"
This occurs when we are trying to run the reports.
Version: MS OFFICE 2010.
I've added the reg key to the following:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\14.0\Outlook\Security
Value = 0x00000002 (2)
The home page tab reappears after adding the reg key so we know that is working - I've tried a reboot etc and no luck. Any help appreciated. Thanks
Diane Poremsky says
Is the data base installed locally or on a shared computer?
This is the key you set? As far as I know 1 or 2 has the same effect.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Office\14.0\Outlook\Security
DWORD: EnableRoamingFolderHomepages
Value: 1
Sparky says
The database is remotely accessed via a server.
Everything was OK until the latest Windows update. And now that we've passed the 30 day rollback period - it appears we may have to perform drastic action and reload an earlier version of windows.
We've also tried repairing MS Office 2010, re-installing BCM and we're not having much luck here either.
From what we can tell everything except the 'reports' are failing and our guys use this on a regular basis.
We know the key is working as we can see the home tab re-appear (also tried the "do it for me") but still the reports fail.
I've switched on debugging and here is the output. It may make sense to someone...
01/12/2017 21:16:36: Logging initialized.
[V] [11:08:39.3048834]Microsoft.BusinessSolutions.eCRM.OutlookAddIn.CSUtils: Start Logging
[E] [11:08:46.1202762]BCMRes: Could not load file or assembly 'System.Windows.Forms.DataVisualization, Version=3.5.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=31bf3856ad364e35' or one of its dependencies. The system cannot find the file specified.
[E] [11:08:46.1212794]BCMRes: at Microsoft.BusinessSolutions.eCRM.Reports2.Charts.ReportChart..ctor()
at Microsoft.BusinessSolutions.eCRM.Reports2.ReportControl.InitializeComponent()
at Microsoft.BusinessSolutions.eCRM.Reports2.ReportControl..ctor()
at Microsoft.BusinessSolutions.eCRM.OutlookAddIn.CSUtils.Reports_Surface.InitializeComponent()
at
Sparky says
Solution was to re-install Microsoft Chart Controls for Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5. The error wasn't related to the below comment, but I gave it ago anyway and its working again!! Many thanks.
Chart controls:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=14422
Diane Poremsky says
Cool. Thanks for the update.
Damon Visser says
Hi, recently we've updated our windows 10 (160 Anniversary Update) to Version 1703 (Creators Update). We use office 2013 with the Update for Business Contact Manager (BCM 2013) in your other post.
When we start outlook 2013 and when the BCM plugin loads it fails and says that the Microsoft Chart Controls for Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 is not available. I cant install it eather because of the following:
Because the 4.x versions of the .NET Framework are in-place updates, you cannot install an earlier version of the .NET Framework 4.x on a system with that already has a later version installed. For example, on a system with Windows 10 Creators Update, you cannot install the .NET Framework 4.6.2, since the .NET Framework 4.7 is preinstalled with the operating system.
Is there a solution available? Thanks in advance.
Diane Poremsky says
You get that when you install just the chart controls?
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=14422
Damon says
Yes, I have installed the Microsoft Chart Controls for Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5. The installation is successful. But when I start Outlook/BCM it fails with the message that the charts are missing. When I look after the successful installation in the installed apps/programs under configuration I can't find it either. So the charts .net 3.5 are successfully installed but they don’t show up under the installed apps/programs.
It only occurs on Windows 10 Version 1703 (Creators Update).
Hector P. says
HI I am New to BCM have tried to install on 2 identical systems with Office 2013 32bit Pro, Outlook 2013 Pro, I was able to install the 32bit version of the BCM successfully and get all the way to the connect to remote database screen enter the remote name and systems comes back with the change password prompt up to here we are good so i enter the temporary password that was created on the hosting database within outlook and also the local password and confirm password and that's it, will come back with error: ( Cannot change your password on computer ) Ive been trying different things suspecting that i have an issue with my network or SW no results is BCM 2013 Compatible with windows 10 home edition or Pro edition i have tried both not working for me can anyone help me please at the end of my rope....thx HP
Mary says
Tried Andre solution and I disabled the Business Contact Manager Loader for Outlook and it also automatically disabled the Business Contact Manager. I have tried as I may, but when I recheck both, it does not allow me to again connect to Business Contact Manager Database. The Enable is up on the business Contact Manager Page and when I try to connect to an existing database or create a new one, it just blows up. When I create a new database, it just blows up again and goes to a page both times that says "Business Contact Manager Encountered an Error during Setup. Now not only can I not connect my remote computer, I have lost all access to my database.
Lewis Mininson says
Can you share BCM on a Windows 10 laptop with a Windows 8.1 user and have them both add change a delete contact information, Windows 10 being the primary database. Silly question, but does sharing the database affect the secondary users email, would not think so. Will be tackling this on Wednesday. Thank you for any advice.
Mike V says
Cheers to Kurt for sharing his solution. :)
Emil Di Motta says
I received the same error message on Saturday 4/23/2016 but it was caused by the latest WIN 10 update performed the day before. It not only knocked BCM out but also uninstalled my MySQL Installer and removed mysql56 service from the list of services that run. This all happened on a 64bit Acer tower which came with WIN10 installed.
Diane Poremsky says
Ouch. Were you able to reinstall it and make it work?
Reed Howard says
Kurt's solution worked for me, too. Thank you!!!
Sam says
Hello Diane,
Hope you can help me. Windows 10 is reporting that SQL Server 2008 is not compatible with it.
Frustrating as I had BCM working acceptably for getting on for 18 months. Even after upgrading to Windows 10 (before I knew of the above issue) it worked fine for some months. This week I made one change to the settings whilst trying to figure out how to configure BCM on a different computer and the whole thing has come crashing down.
Reinstalling BCM now simply does not work. The wizard makes a show of suggesting that it is working/has worked, yet when it completes it hasn't created a single file that I can attribute to BCM, save for the SQL server engine which doesn't work.
Any ideas?
Diane Poremsky says
If installing updates for SQL 2008 doesn't allow it to work on Windows 10, you'll need to install a newer version of sql express.
You shouldn't need to reinstall BCM to fix a setting (and never uninstall SQL if you do decide to uninstall BCM and reinstall). If BCM is not running in Outlook, see if it was disabled in Addins.
Did you check the logs or event viewer to see if you can find any clues as to why it won't work?
Diane Poremsky says
Hmmm. I just ran BCM installed on Windows 10 and it went fine - no errors. I didn't install the updates for SQL2008 either... I'll run it through some tests and see if it decides to crash on me.
My install is clean - it's a newish Windows 10 x64 virtual machine, running the latest builds of Windows 10, Office 2013 ProPlus 15.4797.1003 x86, very little 3rd party software on this system, using Defender as AV. The BCM installation needed to install Net Framework 3.51.
John says
Diane, BCM 2010 was working fine for us until the last 1-2 days. Everyone's BCM stopped working. They click on Contact Management and get a can't complete action error message. I don't see anything that this could have been caused by other than windows updates? Have you heard/seen anything regarding a recent update crashing the program? I know it is old, but we still need it.
Diane Poremsky says
No, i haven't heard of any issues recently, but it could just be that no other BCM users installed the updates yet. Are they clicking links in the HTML page? If they open folders from the folder list, do they get the error?
john C says
Diane,
We are running W7 pro with office 2013 and yesterday all our BCM applications are coming up with "Business Contact Manager for Outlook could not complete your last action or action. Please try again." when trying to click on the "Contact Management tab & Business Contact Manager any ideas? We have the same issue regardless of database and I have tried re-installs with no luck.
Diane Poremsky says
I wonder... the latest updates disabled folder home page support. I wonder if that could be the cause... i know 2013/2016 are affected by the home page, but not sure if 2010 is (the other report is for 2010).
Try setting this key - let me know if it works.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Office\15.0\Outlook\Security
DWORD: EnableRoamingFolderHomepages
Value: 1
if the path doesn't exist, you'll need to create it.
Diane Poremsky says
is the folder home page tab missing? I know the latest updates removed it from 2013/2016 are affected by the home page, but not sure if 2010 is also affected.
This key enables folder home pages if the tab is gone.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Office\14.0\Outlook\Security
DWORD: EnableRoamingFolderHomepages
Value: 1
if the path doesn't exist, you'll need to create it.
john C says
Diane,
Thanks so much you are a life saver that worked!
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Office\15.0\Outlook\Security
DWORD: EnableRoamingFolderHomepages
Value: 1
if the path doesn't exist, you'll need to create it.
Diane Poremsky says
Thanks for the confirmation!
Oliver says
We downloaded BCM and it does not appear in the outlook add-in at all. Can you please help with this.
Thanks
Diane Poremsky says
Is it enabled in the Addin list? If so, it would be listed on the left side of the file tab.
Sam says
This is a symptom of our failed install also. After 2.5 hours on the phone to a Microsoft tech in New Delhi last night he advised that SQL 2008 isn't compatible with Windows 10.
Is there anywhere a version of BCM is available without being packaged with SQL 2008?
Otherwise I suppose we're facing a down grade of Windows OS or alternative CRM.
Diane Poremsky says
There isn't a repackaged BCM, but i thought it would work if you installed SQL's SP3. If you have a newer version of SQL Express installed, BCM is supposed to use it instead of installing 2008.
Oliver says
No it is not enabled in the add in list.
Oliver says
Still having this issue.Outllok from Office Pro 2010 and windows 10
Oliver says
It says it is not a valid add-in
Diane Poremsky says
What version of Outlook and Windows? Did you try repairing the BCM install? I'll see if i can repro this.
Oliver says
Windows 10 and Office pro 2010
Ben Craine says
Hi all; reading the variety of posts, along with my own challenges, I am finding BCM very glitchy. Have been trying to replace ACT 2011, which I have used for years so that I can work in the Outlook environment. Yes, I know they are supposed to play nice together, but I had a horrible experience about 18 months ago when I tried that; still cleaning up some of the duplicates and the mess. So, the question: is there any contact management software that works better with Outlook 2013. With the latest comment about Outlook 2016, it seems there should be an alternative to BCM that does not cost ones life savings as an annuity to whatever company created it. I need something simple, not something designed to work with a sales team of 100.
Diane Poremsky says
I have some CRM's listed in the tools section here - https://www.slipstick.com/addins/contact-tools/outlook-contact-management-tools/ (I should create a CRM only list to put on the BCM page. :))
I believe Microsoft is considering other options - I'm assuming if they do anything, it will be a lite version of CRM that is more affordable - at least that is what I've been asking for as the most do-able & sensible option. Not that it will help you now because we don't know when we might see it or if their idea of affordable is the same as my idea of affordable - CRM is definitely too expensive for most small businesses though. With a lot of really small businesses moving into Office 365 email, it makes sense to have a CRM option they can afford.
(They listened to me on outlook.com on office 365 servers, so who knows. LOL)
Eric H says
This solved the issue of BCM crashing, but I still have an issue where both Account and Contacts in BCM simply use the "Contact" template from Outlook, and BCM Opportunities use the "Task" template. All of the templates that worked so well back in Outlook 2007 (??) are no longer available in Outlook 2013 with BCM.
Diane Poremsky says
The templates are supposed to be there - it sounds like maybe permissions on the database are not correct.
BTW, don't upgrade to Office 2016 this week - BCM won't work with it.
Bob M says
I have this exact same problem. I have outlook 2013 and Windows 10. it was working then just defaulted back to standard forms.
the home page key is still there and BCM loads and runs fine, no errors, just defaulted forms for Accounts, Contact, Opportunities, and the project tasks.
Diane Poremsky says
I haven't been able to repro this but BCM is crashing a lot with the latest updates installed. The forms are the normal BCM fields. I haven't had a chance to try removing the updates yet.
Jon Savage says
Kurt's solution worked for me too. Thanks for sharing.
Gregory says
Thanks to Kurt. It works (i..e no crashing when clicking "contacts" anymore).
but I still have the issue that BCM does not get loaded when I start Outlook. I have to do the trick of de-activating and then reactivating BCM again in File>Option>addin.
Jon - Kiwi says
HI - used the solution from Kurt above and uninstalled/reinstalled the MS chart controls - fixed the issue of BCM crashing Outlook 2013 perfectly
Thanks Kurt
Jack says
Kurt's fix was also successful for BCM for me. easy instructions
thx Kurt!