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OUTLOOK.EXE continues running after you exit Outlook

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› Problems › OUTLOOK.EXE continues running after you exit Outlook

Last reviewed on November 19, 2021     57 Comments

Problem: After closing Outlook, it continues to run. Outlook can't close properly if another application is accessing Outlook's message store and you need open the Task Manager and End Process.

Symptoms which indicate that Outlook is not closing properly include receiving an alert telling you that Outlook is checking the data file when you open it. If you use two Outlook profiles, when you switch profiles, you aren't presented the screen to select the profile and Outlook opens directly to the first profile. Outlook may close and only the splash screen loads when you restart it.

Not sure how to open Task Manager? Right click on the Windows Taskbar and choose Task Manager. Select the Processes tab and look for Outlook.exe in the Image Name column.
Task Manager

If you use an IMAP account in Outlook 2016 and newer, Microsoft is investigating an issue where outlook doesn't close properly. There is a registry key to use as a workaround.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\IMAP
DWORD: AllowLOGOUTWithoutOK
Value: 1

If you don't want to edit the registry, I have a ready-to-use registry file available. Please note, this applies only to profiles with an IMAP account.

Beginning with Office 2007 SP2, Outlook addresses the problem and forces Outlook to close (most of the time), but you may need to wait a few minutes. This should eliminate most of the problems with Outlook not closing and the need to check the *.pst file on the next start; in addition, newer versions of Outlook are "better" about checking the data file for errors.

Below is a list of software known to cause problems in all versions of Outlook. This list is intended to give you an idea of what types of programs will cause Outlook to remain running, most often Fax software, anti-spam or anti-virus software, or PDA sync software. However, the culprit on your computer may be a different program.

See Disable Add-in or uninstall the software.

Add-ins | How to Disable Add-ins | Other Causes | Developer Information | Tools | More Information

Antivirus programs that support scanning email for viruses will tend to keep Outlook open. Disable email scanning and Outlook should close correctly. It's perfectly safe to disable this setting - it gives you advanced warning of viruses but as long as you can control your urge to open every attachment you receive, you'll be just as safe with it disabled. The antivirus programs that can affect Outlook include, but are not limited to, the following programs:

  • Kaspersky Antivirus Pro version 5
  • Panda AntiVirus Outlook Plug-In (pavexcli.dll)
  • Norton Antivirus with e-mail scanning and script blocking enabled.

Once you identify the program that is causing Outlook to remain loaded, check their support site for updates and additional information, or disable or uninstall the add-in.

Many spyware and adware programs hook into Outlook and other email clients. Removing them will usually correct the problem and allow Outlook to close properly.

Other user accounts

If you are trying to solve the problem of Outlook not loading, this story from administrator could point you in the right direction.

We installed Shoretel's Call Manager under the Administrator's account and later installed Office 2010 under the user's account. On other cases we had created a new user on the workstation and were attempting to run both apps under the new user's account.
When we removed Shoretel's Call Manager and reinstalled it under the account of the current user, the problem resolved and we could load and unload Outlook 2010 multiple times without any problem. In our environment Shoretel's Call Manager only reads Outlook's Contacts at startup to load it's own contact information. This should not effect one's ability to close and then reopen Outlook especially when everything works fine at first. Then when you add in the apparent sensitivity to having another app (Call Manger) installed under a different user account, it makes for a very bizarre scenario.

 

Add-ins which may keep Outlook open

The following is a short list of add-ins which are reported to keep Outlook running after it's closed.

  • Skype for Business
  • Outlook Change Notifier - Apple iTunes addin for syncing with iPhones, iPods etc.
  • WinFax Pro. Disable WinFax or remove the WinFax Fax log from the profile. Remove them by opening Tools, Options, Mail Setup tab, Data Files and delete if present.
  • Blackberry software
  • Stamps.com (when using address from Outlook's Contacts)
  • Franklin Covey Plan Plus
  • Mapilab's Messenger Journal utility
  • Earthlink's Spamblocker (the installation file is ELSBSetup.exe)
  • Outlook Attachment Sniffer
  • TechSmith's SnagIt 7 with Outlook integration enabled.
  • Cloudmark Spamnet
  • Fourelle Venturi Client
  • Internet Download Manager - uninstall
  • iProtectYou
  • TMAntispam - the antispam part of Trend Micro's PCCillin Internet Security 2005 suite
  • Infuzer
  • FSecure 2005 antispam add-in
  • Prophet 2004 (by Avidian) - check for updates
  • Intuit Quickbooks
  • iTunes calendar sync add-in
  • iPhone Add-in
  • ABBYY FineReader 9.0
  • WMPNETWK or sharing files within MS media player 11

 

Disable Add-ins

Before uninstalling or disabling add-ins, check for an updated version. It may fix the problem.
In Outlook 2010 and newer, go to File, Options, Addins.

  1. Select COM Add-ins from the dropdown at the bottom of the dialog
  2. Press Go.
  3. Uncheck the add-ins you suspect might be keeping Outlook open
  4. Close the dialog.

In Outlook 2007, you need to go to Tools, Trust Center, Add-ins.

  1. Select COM Add-ins from the dropdown at the bottom of the dialog
  2. Press Go.
  3. Uncheck the add-ins you suspect might be keeping Outlook open
  4. Close the dialog.

In Outlook 2003 and earlier, add-ins are found on the Tools, Options, Other tab.

  1. Click the Advanced Options button.
  2. Click COM Add-ins button and uncheck add-ins to disable.
  3. While most add-ins are listed under COM add-ins, some may be in Add-in manager.
  4. Return to Outlook.

Most add-ins will be listed in COM Add-ins, but a few may be listed under Exchange Client Extensions, which on the dropdown with COM Add-ins.

Office 2007 SP2 addresses the problem and forces Outlook to close. his should eliminate most of the problem with Outlook not closing and the need to check the *.pst file on the next start. Download it from The 2007 Microsoft Office Suite Service Pack 2 (SP2)

 

Other Causes

Setting Outlook's "Empty deleted items when closing" option can also cause Outlook to close slowly. Disable it in File, Options, Advanced (Outlook 2010 and newer) or in Tools, Options, Other tab (Outlook 2007 and older).

If the 'Empty deleted' setting is set via GPO, you'll need to disable it.

In addition, a corrupt *.SRS (send and receive profile file) appears to keep Outlook 2003 open (we don't believe it affects newer versions of Outlook). Find and rename the SRS for the profile. It's a hidden file found at C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook. Paste this line into the Windows Explorer Address bar: %USERPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook
To learn more about the files contained in this directory, see Outlook Backup and Dual-Boot.

 

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More Information

Mail Issues with Microsoft Outlook
The Outlook window closes, but the application continues to run when you try to exit Outlook MSKB

OUTLOOK.EXE continues running after you exit Outlook was last modified: November 19th, 2021 by Diane Poremsky
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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.

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rsbrux (@guest_219820)
October 25, 2022 12:28 pm
#219820

You don’t list Google Workspace Sync for Microsoft Outlook (GWSMO) in your list of suspects, but I’m pretty sure that it’s the culprit in my case. It is supposed to close when Outlook does, but when Outlook is hung, it is still sitting in the taskbar. Sometimes it says (on mouseover) “Connection to Google is temporarily unavailable”. Unfortunately, I am dependent on it, and can’t just disable the add-in. I have gotten used to waiting for the inevitable error message and clicking “Shut down anyway”. Outlook sometimes (but seldom) complains the next time I start it, but it doesn’t appear to have corrupted anything. Any better suggestions?

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Yadin Elam (@guest_219605)
August 8, 2022 6:04 am
#219605

Hi Diane, I'm using Outlook 2016 and the 2 accounts I have linked to outlook are set as IMAP but there is no IMAP in the registry.

no imap.jpg
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Diane Poremsky(@diane-poremsky)
Author
Reply to  Yadin Elam
August 8, 2022 3:20 pm
#219608

You need to add the key if its not in the registry.

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Lee Anderson (@guest_219518)
July 8, 2022 1:05 am
#219518

Thanks Diane. This was starting to drive me nuts as I didn't have any add-ins running and had to constantly kill the process to shut outlook down. As I have an IMAP account your tip to edit the registry worked a treat!

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Richard (@guest_219154)
February 5, 2022 9:14 pm
#219154

Hello to all I have a new Outlook glitch, which up until the last few days, has run pretty reliably. For the last 48 hours, Outlook will now only sync email accounts just the once (when the app is opened for the first time). It will send/receive emails, and the software itself continues to run fine, with the exception that any other automatic email sync's subsequently fail - when they run every 30 mins or so. What happens, is that the Send/Receive dialogue box just sits there as if it's waiting. Beside every email account is the "down" arrow, indicating that it is attempting to download email from that email account, and the Progress field simply states "Processing"... and not one of the email accounts sync's at all. That's all it does from sync 2 onwards. Eventually, the sync attempt ends having done nothing. Any emails that have been written and "sent" are simply sitting in the Outbox awaiting transmission. The only way to send/receive new email, is fully shut Outlook down completely and restart it, to get the first-time sync after opening the app. There is a secondary, new problem also. Outlook does not fully shut down properly now… Read more »

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Brian John Luckham (@guest_218940)
December 3, 2021 11:01 am
#218940

All add-ins are listed as inactive apart from Outlook Change Notifier, which is disabled.
Outlook reports "No Active Application Add-ins"

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Brian John Luckham (@guest_218934)
December 2, 2021 4:45 pm
#218934

I use btinternet.com for my email; erratic at best, but I've had the address for 20+ years and don't want the hassle of changing all of my consumer accounts etc.
Other add-ins are:
Outlook Social Connector 2016
OneNote Notes About Outlook Items
Microsoft VBA for Outlook
Microsoft Exchange Add-in
Microsoft Access Outlook Add-in for Data Collection and Publishing
AVG Antivirus Add-In
4Team Outlook Premium Support

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Brian John Luckham (@guest_218931)
December 2, 2021 10:52 am
#218931

The regedit file doesn't appear to work with Microsoft 365. I have also disabled the AVG email scanner, to no effect.

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Diane Poremsky(@diane-poremsky)
Author
Reply to  Brian John Luckham
December 2, 2021 11:06 am
#218932

The AllowLOGOUTWithoutOK reg setting should work with Office 365 software - down to Office 2016. But it only applies to IMAP accounts. (It works for me.)

What other addins are installed?

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José (@guest_218896)
November 19, 2021 11:09 am
#218896

Outlook 365 remains open in background (shutting down for several minutes) after having closed it. This make impossible to re-open it or to shutdown the computer, need to wait for several minutes before (or to kill the process in task manager or force shutdown the pc). I have unchecked all the add-ins without success. Any other solution ?
Thanks
José

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Diane Poremsky(@diane-poremsky)
Author
Reply to  José
November 19, 2021 2:16 pm
#218897

What type of email account do you have configured in Outlook? POP, IMAP, Outlook.com, or Microsoft Exchange?

There is a known issue with IMAP accounts - outlook doesn't close properly when you have an imap account and there is a registry key to use as a workaround.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\IMAP
DWORD: AllowLOGOUTWithoutOK
Value: 1

If you have an IMAP account and don't want to edit the registry, I have a ready-to-use registry file available
https://www.slipstick.com/doit/AllowLOGOUT.reg 

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deb (@guest_219213)
Reply to  José
April 18, 2022 6:43 am
#219213

I am using Outlook 2016 with exchange server in Windows 10. I have to keep ending task to get it to ask for my other profile. Is there a fix for this for exchange email? It does not do this on my other machine just on one of them.

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Diane Poremsky(@diane-poremsky)
Author
Reply to  deb
April 18, 2022 4:44 pm
#219214

so just an Exchange account in the profile? Do you have any other applications - such as sync utilities - accessing Outlook data?

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