• Outlook User
  • New Outlook app
  • Outlook.com
  • Outlook Mac
  • Outlook & iCloud
  • Developer
  • Microsoft 365 Admin
    • Common Problems
    • Microsoft 365
    • Outlook BCM
    • Utilities & Addins

Outlook 2007 is very slow

Slipstick Systems

› Outlook › Outlook 2007 › Outlook 2007 is very slow

Last reviewed on May 1, 2019     21 Comments

We're seeing many reports of Outlook 2007 being very, very slow. As of this date, we don't know the cause but we do have some possible solutions. Before trying these solutions, install the Outlook Performance update

Solution 1:

Rename or delete outcmd.dat, extend.dat, views.dat and frmcache.dat. Outlook will recreate these files as needed.

Look for these files at the following locations in Windows XP or Windows 7 & Vista:

Outcmd.dat:
WinXP: C:\Documents and Settings\%USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\OutlookExtend.dat:
Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\%USERPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\OutlookWindows 7 and 8: C:\Users\%localappdata%\Microsoft\OutlookFrmcache.dat:
Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\%USERPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\OutlookWindows 7 and 8: C:\Users\%localappdata%\Microsoft\FormsViews.dat:
Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\%USERPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\OutlookWindows 7 and 8: C:\Users\%localappdata%\Microsoft\Outlook

Solution 2:

Create a new PST. Although the Outlook 2007 PST is essentially identical to the PST format new to Outlook 2003,Outlook 2007 writes additional data to the PST.

If this fixes the problem, import or move your items from your old PST to the new one.

Solution 3:

Create a new profile. No need to delete the old profile just yet, just make a new one to see if the problem is fixed.

If this fixes the problem, you can delete the old profile.

Solution 4:

Disable Outlook Setup Add-in (Instant Office add-in by Cyberlink) on Dell computers that have Media Direct installed. This add-in is responsible for converting meeting requests to recurring meetings and creating calendar and contact folders when saving attachments. It also slows Outlook down.

Go to Tools, Trust Center, Addins and locate the add-in. At the bottom of the screen, select Manage: COM add-ins and click Go. Remove the checkmark from the Cyberlink add-in and close the dialog.

Solution 5:

Uninstall Business Contact Manager

More Information

The update described in KB933493: Description of the update for Outlook 2007: April 13, 2007 appears to help with many performance issues in Outlook 2007.
Outlook and Slow HTML - this relates to slow typing in HTML message.
Recurring Meeting Bug - affects Dell Laptops with Media Direct
Help! My Email opens slow - for older versions of Outlook

Outlook 2007 is very slow was last modified: May 1st, 2019 by Diane Poremsky

Related Posts:

  • Outlook's Toolbars Don't Stay Where You Put Them
  • It's amazing how often a seemingly innocent action by the user and an
    Outlook is Slow Rendering HTML Messages
  • Outlook 2007/2010 menus are in the wrong language (Fixed)
  • Recurrence options
    Birthdays recur every 12 Years

About Diane Poremsky

A Microsoft Outlook Most Valuable Professional (MVP) since 1999, Diane is the author of several books, including Outlook 2013 Absolute Beginners Book. She also created video training CDs and online training classes for Microsoft Outlook. You can find her helping people online in Outlook Forums as well as in the Microsoft Answers and TechNet forums.

Subscribe
Notify of
21 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Nooto
February 10, 2014 6:31 am

I have recently had some problems with Outlook 2007 running very slow when typing in an html e-mail. Loading of images was very slow and when pressing enter for a line feed it would freeze for 3 seconds. I tried all the suggested solutions but to no avail.
After some troubleshooting I found that a non-default ICC color profile in Windows was causing the slow behaviour. After setting this back to the system default the performance was back to normal again.

Search for Color Management in the control panel, or run colorcpl.exe
Color Management > Advanced Tab > Device Profile > System Default

This was on a fully patched Windows 7 system with Outlook 2007 SP3

1
0
Reply
J Fisk
July 31, 2013 4:57 am

Thank you very much. I think the problem was with the outcmd.dat file mentioned in Solution 1. I couldn't find it at first, but the problem carried on after I'd deleted the other three mentioned. Then found the outcmd.dat file and Outlook now back to normal. Brilliant

0
0
Reply
Paul
June 30, 2013 3:08 pm

Solution 1 worked for me. Thanks a lot!

0
0
Reply
MorrisI
June 13, 2013 8:02 am

Will these suggestions work for Outlook 2010 as well?

0
0
Reply
Diane Poremsky
Reply to  MorrisI
June 13, 2013 9:37 am

Yes. Not all of the .dat files are using in 2010, but other than that, the steps will works.

0
0
Reply
Lokesh Jangir
May 28, 2013 11:48 pm

I have tried all the solutions on windows 7, have removed all files. Tried with renaming the outlook folder, creating new profile, disabling all add-in and all. But still my outlook hangs when i open a mail contains a attachment. I have installed outlook fixes also. But nothing works for me.
Please suggest me a solution.

0
0
Reply
Diane Poremsky
Reply to  Lokesh Jangir
May 29, 2013 10:01 am

Does it hang on all attachments or just some?

0
0
Reply
Jamie
November 15, 2012 5:27 am

Solution 1 worked a treat, thanks

0
0
Reply
vrschrn
October 8, 2012 1:10 pm

Please note: I am uing an outlook in Dutch version, so the translated names I use in the following may not be identical to the egli names.
I experienced the same problem of outlook 2007 being slo: it was solved when I went to one of the personal folders (sent items), right click on folder sent items, select properties, go to TAB autoarchive, select buton "standard seetings for archiving, press on the next screen the button "these ajustments apply to all maps",Ok, OK. Suddenly outlokwas superfast agian

0
0
Reply
Madhav
July 12, 2012 8:35 pm

solution 4 worked for me.....

1
-1
Reply

Visit Slipstick Forums.
What's New at Slipstick.com

Latest EMO: Vol. 30 Issue 33

Subscribe to Exchange Messaging Outlook






Support Services

Do you need help setting up Outlook, moving your email to a new computer, migrating or configuring Office 365, or just need some one-on-one assistance?

Our Sponsors

CompanionLink
ReliefJet
  • Popular
  • Latest
  • Week Month All
  • Jetpack plugin with Stats module needs to be enabled.
  • Urban legend: Microsoft Deletes Old Outlook.com Messages
  • Buttons in the New Message Notifications
  • Move Deleted Items to Another Folder Automatically
  • Open Outlook Templates using PowerShell
  • Count and List Folders in Classic Outlook
  • Google Workspace and Outlook with POP Mail
  • Import EML Files into New Outlook
  • Opening PST files in New Outlook
  • New Outlook: Show To, CC, BCC in Replies
  • Insert Word Document into Email using VBA
Ajax spinner

Recent Bugs List

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

For new Outlook for Windows: Fixes or workarounds for recent issues in new Outlook for Windows .

Outlook for Mac Recent issues: Fixes or workarounds for recent issues in Outlook for Mac

Outlook.com Recent issues: Fixes or workarounds for recent issues on Outlook.com

Office Update History

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

Outlook Suggestions and Feedback

Outlook Feedback covers Outlook as an email client, including Outlook Android, iOS, Mac, and Windows clients, as well as the browser extension (PWA) and Outlook on the web.

Outlook (new) Feedback. Use this for feedback and suggestions for Outlook (new).

Use Outlook.com Feedback for suggestions or feedback about Outlook.com accounts.

Other Microsoft 365 applications and services




New Outlook Articles

Urban legend: Microsoft Deletes Old Outlook.com Messages

Buttons in the New Message Notifications

Move Deleted Items to Another Folder Automatically

Open Outlook Templates using PowerShell

Count and List Folders in Classic Outlook

Google Workspace and Outlook with POP Mail

Import EML Files into New Outlook

Opening PST files in New Outlook

New Outlook: Show To, CC, BCC in Replies

Insert Word Document into Email using VBA

Newest Code Samples

Open Outlook Templates using PowerShell

Count and List Folders in Classic Outlook

Insert Word Document into Email using VBA

Warn Before Deleting a Contact

Use PowerShell to Delete Attachments

Remove RE:, FWD:, and Other Prefixes from Subject Line

Change the Mailing Address Using PowerShell

Categorize @Mentioned Messages

Send an Email When You Open Outlook

Delete Old Calendar Events using VBA

Repair PST

Convert an OST to PST

Repair damaged PST file

Repair large PST File

Remove password from PST

Merge Two Data Files

Sync & Share Outlook Data

  • Share Calendar & Contacts
  • Synchronize two computers
  • Sync Calendar and Contacts Using Outlook.com
  • Sync Outlook & Android Devices
  • Sync Google Calendar with Outlook
  • Access Folders in Other Users Mailboxes

Diane Poremsky [Outlook MVP]

Make a donation

Mail Tools

Sending and Retrieval Tools

Mass Mail Tools

Compose Tools

Duplicate Remover Tools

Mail Tools for Outlook

Online Services

Calendar Tools

Schedule Management

Calendar Printing Tools

Calendar Reminder Tools

Calendar Dates & Data

Time and Billing Tools

Meeting Productivity Tools

Duplicate Remover Tools

Productivity

Productivity Tools

Automatic Message Processing Tools

Special Function Automatic Processing Tools

Housekeeping and Message Management

Task Tools

Project and Business Management Tools

Choosing the Folder to Save a Sent Message In

Run Rules on messages after reading

Help & Suggestions

Submit Outlook Feature Requests

Slipstick Support Services

Buy Microsoft 365 Office Software and Services

Visit Slipstick Forums.

What's New at Slipstick.com

Home | Outlook User | Exchange Administrator | Office 365 | Outlook.com | Outlook Developer
Outlook for Mac | Common Problems | Utilities & Addins | Tutorials
Outlook & iCloud Issues | Outlook Apps
EMO Archives | About Slipstick | Slipstick Forums
Submit New or Updated Outlook and Exchange Server Utilities

Send comments using our Feedback page
Copyright © 2025 Slipstick Systems. All rights reserved.
Slipstick Systems is not affiliated with Microsoft Corporation.

:wpds_smile::wpds_grin::wpds_wink::wpds_mrgreen::wpds_neutral::wpds_twisted::wpds_arrow::wpds_shock::wpds_unamused::wpds_cool::wpds_evil::wpds_oops::wpds_razz::wpds_roll::wpds_cry::wpds_eek::wpds_lol::wpds_mad::wpds_sad::wpds_exclamation::wpds_question::wpds_idea::wpds_hmm::wpds_beg::wpds_whew::wpds_chuckle::wpds_silly::wpds_envy::wpds_shutmouth:
wpDiscuz

Sign up for Exchange Messaging Outlook

Our weekly Outlook & Exchange newsletter (bi-weekly during the summer)






Please note: If you subscribed to Exchange Messaging Outlook before August 2019, please re-subscribe.

Never see this message again.

You are going to send email to

Move Comment