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

Outlook 2013: Control Panel Mail Won't Open (Fixed)

Slipstick Systems

› Outlook › Outlook 2013 › Outlook 2013: Control Panel Mail Won’t Open (Fixed)

Last reviewed on March 1, 2024     13 Comments

Applies to: Outlook (classic)

This issue is fixed in version 15.0.4841.1001 or later. Click File, Office Account, Update Options, and then click Update Now to update to a newer version.

Outlook 2013's Mail applet will not open from the Control Panel following the June 2016 updates. Click-to-run installations are affected on all operating systems. When users click on the Mail applet the mouse cursor circles, then stops without the applet opening. Right clicking and choosing Open, or using the Run dialog to open the applet also fail.

control pane, mail applet won't open

This problem affects users who install the June 2016 update for Office 2013 Click-to-Run, version number 15.0.4833.1001, or a later version.

Most Office 2013 users will have a click to run version of Office 2013 installed, including all subscription installations. To verify your version information, click File, Office Account in Outlook (File, Account in other Office applications.) Then click About Outlook (or About [application]).

Microsoft is investigating this issue and until it is fixed, users who need to create a new profile or open a different profile can either open Outlook using the /profiles switch or set a registry key to always display the Choose Profile dialog. Click the New button to create a new profile.

open outlook profiles

To use the /profiles switch when you open Outlook, open the Run command using Windows key + R then type or paste Outlook.exe /profiles into the Open field and click Ok.

use the /profiles switch to open outlook

The option to always prompt for a profile when starting Outlook is stored in the registry. To add or change the value, open the registry editor and browse to and change the PickLogonProfile value. If PickLogonProfile does not exist, you'll need to add it.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\​​Software​\​Microsoft\​Exchange\​​Client\​Options
REG_SZ: PickLogonProfile
Value: 1 = Prompt for a profile to be used; 0 = Always use this profile

If you don't want to edit the registry yourself, you can download and run this registry file.
PickLogonProfile

Outlook 2013: Control Panel Mail Won't Open (Fixed) was last modified: March 1st, 2024 by Diane Poremsky

Related Posts:

  • Fixed: Outlook 365: From field is blank
  • Understanding Outlook 2013 Updates
  • Where is the Control Panel Mail icon?
  • Error Opening Outlook and Control Panel's Mail Applet

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
13 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

chami
January 14, 2021 12:04 am

best way to configure outlook 2019 pop account

0
0
Reply
chami
January 14, 2021 12:03 am

finally got the thing from your instructions, thank you very much. search more than a week for configurations, thank you again

1
0
Reply
Guillermo Lopez
August 20, 2020 3:31 pm

You're awezome!!

Thanks, finally I can use the profiles on my Outlook.

1
0
Reply
Reema Chawla
April 26, 2020 9:13 pm

My mail icon doesn’t update on my Mac

0
0
Reply
Chris Bedford
April 9, 2017 7:59 am

And again. Under File - Office Account - Office Updates, I have three options: Disable, View, and About updates. I Disabled and re-enabled, didn't change anything. No "Update Now".

0
0
Reply
Diane Poremsky
Author
Reply to  Chris Bedford
April 9, 2017 2:42 pm

it can sometimes take a few minutes to an hour before it finds the update, but i would give it 24 hours.

Also, do you have the subscription version or retail?

0
0
Reply
Roland Hall
July 16, 2016 3:40 pm

This is actually the fix for the MSFT control panel no longer opening.
https://www.reddit.com/r/sysadmin/comments/4q4r23/unable_to_open_mail_microsoft_outlook_2013_icon/d4uo3i8

0
0
Reply
Diane Poremsky
Author
Reply to  Roland Hall
July 16, 2016 8:23 pm

That link doesn't have a solution, at least not one that is easy o find. However, if your Office 2013 is fully updated, you shouldn't have problems as it was fixed in an update - if you do not have 15.0.4841.1001 or a later, you need to check for updates.

0
-1
Reply
Roland Hall
Reply to  Diane Poremsky
July 18, 2016 12:41 am

It does if you expand it.
cd "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office 15\ClientX64"
officec2rclient.exe /update user updatetoversion=15.0.4823.1004

I already had the version you posted. Running the above solved the issue.

0
0
Reply
Albert McCann
July 16, 2016 3:36 pm

I noticed this problem and wondered what it was, but oddly, the control panel app has started working again. MS must have fixed something.

Outlook says it's version 15.0.4841.1001

0
0
Reply
Diane Poremsky
Author
Reply to  Albert McCann
July 16, 2016 8:21 pm

Correct, they released an update that fixed the problem.

0
0
Reply
Sam
July 4, 2016 12:13 pm

1. Revert Office Click-to-Run software to a previous version
https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/kb/2770432
Version History - https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/gp/office-2013-365-update

2. Disable office updates
a. Open Word
b. Click File > Account
c. Click Updates > Disable Updates

3. Make a note to re-enable updates once a fix is out from MS

0
0
Reply
Len Raphael
Reply to  Sam
August 26, 2017 7:05 pm

opening outlook profiles work around fine for office 2016 after it got kaboshed by either current channel update or win 2016 early release. quick repair did not work.

0
0
Reply

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

Latest EMO: Vol. 30 Issue 32

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.
  • 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
  • Delete Empty Folders using PowerShell
  • Warn Before Deleting a Contact
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

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

Delete Empty Folders using PowerShell

Warn Before Deleting a Contact

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