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Issue: Cannot Start Microsoft Outlook 2010  

Are you not able to open up Microsoft Office Outlook 2010? We have given some best solutions to fix the issue cannot start Microsoft Outlook 2010.

Cannot Start Microsoft Outlook 2010 

Why does the error occur?

You could see this error when you try to open Outlook and it keeps loading for a while before the error pops-up. Microsoft has come out with findings that this happens because of a corrupted Outlook profile file.

However, the other reasons would be, attempting to run Outlook in Compatibility mode, using a profile file with the extension ‘.pst’ or ‘.ost’, which was created in an older version of Outlook.

To fix the issue cannot start Microsoft Outlook 2010, perform the solutions suggested here.

Solution 1: Repair your Outlook 2010 files

The Outlook Inbox Repair tool will help you to restore Outlook data files (.pst and .ost) that have been corrupted when uninstalling or reinstalling Outlook. 

  • Navigate to the following location: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14.
  • Select and open the "SCANPST.EXE" file.
  • Now, click on Browse and select your Outlook .pst file to be scanned.
  • Click on the Start button.
  • The repair process begins. In case an error is found, click the Repair button. 
  • Once it is done, try to start Outlook once again to see if the error still persists.

Solution 2: Reset the navigation pane

File corruption is also one of the reasons for this problem. Repairing the Navigation Pane will help you to open Outlook 2010 again.

  • Close Outlook 2010.
  • From the Start menu, select Run.
  • Enter the following command in the Run dialog box: outlook.exe /resetnavpane.
  • Click the OK button.
  • The problem should automatically be resolved and the Navigation pane will be reset to defaults. 
  • Still, if you cannot start Microsoft Outlook 2010, perform the remaining solutions given on this page.

Solution 3: Turn off Compatibility mode in Outlook

  • Open the File Explorer on your computer.
  • Go to the following location: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office 14\ or C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office 14\
  • Right-click on OUTLOOK.EXE and click the Properties.
  • Select the Compatibility tab and see if any of the options is selected. In case selected, click to deselect the option.
  • Click the Apply button to confirm the changes, then exit by pressing OK.
  • Restart Outlook 2010 and see if the problem is fixed or not.

Solution 4: Start Outlook in Safe Mode

Sometimes an extension or plug-in you installed could create a problem in opening the Outlook 2010. This can be undone by running Outlook in Safe Mode, which will disable your software's non-default elements.

  • Open Run from the Start menu.
  • Type Outlook /safe and click OK.
  • The Choose Profiles dialog box will appear. Now, click OK without making any changes to the default parameters selected.
  • If required, type in your password and click Accept.

If Outlook opens in Safe Mode, then the add-ins are the cause of the problem. So you can eliminate this issue by deleting the add-ins one by one until the problem is resolved.

  • After launching Outlook in safe mode, click the File menu, select Options, and then click Add-ins.
  • Click the View and manage Office Add-ins option.
  • See that the Manage box shows COM Add-ins, then click Go.
  • Clear all selected checkboxes one by one and then click OK.
  • Exit from Outlook and restart Outlook in normal mode.
  • Again, you can enable the required add-ins alone.
  • Now, you can fix the issue of cannot start Microsoft Outlook 2010.