CliffB

You are 'The Man'!

This is farther into Windows stuff than I usually go ... profilename.xml was
not something of which I was aware.

Outlook.exe /resetnavpane appears to have resolved the problem.

Thanks VERY Much!

CliffB

"Dan Thomas" wrote:

> Ok mate, I got it going...
>
> Now this is a bit vague because I was trying to reset everything but the
> process was:
>
> 1) Removed my ost (yes I'm using exchange) - well I renamed it
> outlook.ost.old in C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook and
> renamed my archive folder in C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Local
> Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook
> 2) Uninstalled all addins
> 3) found this page and started playing with no success
> http://www.microsoft.com/communities...6865&p=1&ntf=1
>
> ... UNTIL I ran Outlook.exe /resetnavpane
>
> Clears and regenerates the Navigation Pane for the current profile. Removes
> all Shortcuts and Favorite Folders. Has the same effect as deleting
> profilename.xml in your user directory.
>
> After this, I was able to get back into outlook!
>
> The only clue as to why this may have worked is because when I got the
> problem, another XML file on my machine (required to run one of my
> development programs) had also become corrupted - I can only guess that
> perhaps the profilename.xml possibly became corrupted in a similar kind of
> way...
>
> I'm really sorry I cannot give any more detail: I've been effectively
> button-mashing (ok, running varous command-line switches mainly to do with
> "cleaning" stuff) but it only worked once this switch was executed.
>
> It may be a combination or specifically this switch, but I hope this
> provides a little bit of a clue...
>
> -- Dan
>
> "CliffB" wrote:
>
> > Since I have a second machine, I have been living with the issue on my Vista
> > machine. I have not heard any 'fixes' although it seems there are more
> > reports like ours.
> >
> > Resisting a complete rebuild ...
> >
> > Cliff
> >
> > "CliffB" wrote:
> >
> > > Unable to start Outlook; rcv dialog "Cannot Start Microsoft Office Outlook;
> > > Cannot open the Outlook Window". Error occurred AFTER a Norton 2009 "idle
> > > time scan" hang DURING an Outlook send/receive that was apparrently hung due
> > > to Norton.
> > >
> > > I have attempted several published fixes including Scanpst,
> > > DeleteOutlookProfiles, running Outlook with /safe switch (same error),
> > > uninstall/reinstall Outlook, turning Norton 2009 off during my process, etc.
> > >
> > > On reinstall (after running DeleteOutlookProfiles), I create a new profile
> > > and a new Outlook PST ... still receive the "cannot open..." error.
> > >
> > > Any further suggestions - hopefully short of resorting to my recovery image?
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > >
> > > Cliff

CliffB

You are 'The Man'!

This is farther into Windows stuff than I usually go ... profilename.xml was
not something of which I was aware.

Outlook.exe /resetnavpane appears to have resolved the problem.

Thanks VERY Much!

CliffB

"Dan Thomas" wrote:

> Ok mate, I got it going...
>
> Now this is a bit vague because I was trying to reset everything but the
> process was:
>
> 1) Removed my ost (yes I'm using exchange) - well I renamed it
> outlook.ost.old in C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook and
> renamed my archive folder in C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Local
> Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook
> 2) Uninstalled all addins
> 3) found this page and started playing with no success
> http://www.microsoft.com/communities...6865&p=1&ntf=1
>
> ... UNTIL I ran Outlook.exe /resetnavpane
>
> Clears and regenerates the Navigation Pane for the current profile. Removes
> all Shortcuts and Favorite Folders. Has the same effect as deleting
> profilename.xml in your user directory.
>
> After this, I was able to get back into outlook!
>
> The only clue as to why this may have worked is because when I got the
> problem, another XML file on my machine (required to run one of my
> development programs) had also become corrupted - I can only guess that
> perhaps the profilename.xml possibly became corrupted in a similar kind of
> way...
>
> I'm really sorry I cannot give any more detail: I've been effectively
> button-mashing (ok, running varous command-line switches mainly to do with
> "cleaning" stuff) but it only worked once this switch was executed.
>
> It may be a combination or specifically this switch, but I hope this
> provides a little bit of a clue...
>
> -- Dan
>
> "CliffB" wrote:
>
> > Since I have a second machine, I have been living with the issue on my Vista
> > machine. I have not heard any 'fixes' although it seems there are more
> > reports like ours.
> >
> > Resisting a complete rebuild ...
> >
> > Cliff
> >
> > "CliffB" wrote:
> >
> > > Unable to start Outlook; rcv dialog "Cannot Start Microsoft Office Outlook;
> > > Cannot open the Outlook Window". Error occurred AFTER a Norton 2009 "idle
> > > time scan" hang DURING an Outlook send/receive that was apparrently hung due
> > > to Norton.
> > >
> > > I have attempted several published fixes including Scanpst,
> > > DeleteOutlookProfiles, running Outlook with /safe switch (same error),
> > > uninstall/reinstall Outlook, turning Norton 2009 off during my process, etc.
> > >
> > > On reinstall (after running DeleteOutlookProfiles), I create a new profile
> > > and a new Outlook PST ... still receive the "cannot open..." error.
> > >
> > > Any further suggestions - hopefully short of resorting to my recovery image?
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > >
> > > Cliff

Middle Child

Your suggestion: 'UNTIL I ran Outlook.exe /resetnavpane' worked very well for
me.
Thank you very Much!

"Dan Thomas" wrote:

> Ok mate, I got it going...
>
> Now this is a bit vague because I was trying to reset everything but the
> process was:
>
> 1) Removed my ost (yes I'm using exchange) - well I renamed it
> outlook.ost.old in C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook and
> renamed my archive folder in C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Local
> Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook
> 2) Uninstalled all addins
> 3) found this page and started playing with no success
> http://www.microsoft.com/communities...6865&p=1&ntf=1
>
> ... UNTIL I ran Outlook.exe /resetnavpane
>
> Clears and regenerates the Navigation Pane for the current profile. Removes
> all Shortcuts and Favorite Folders. Has the same effect as deleting
> profilename.xml in your user directory.
>
> After this, I was able to get back into outlook!
>
> The only clue as to why this may have worked is because when I got the
> problem, another XML file on my machine (required to run one of my
> development programs) had also become corrupted - I can only guess that
> perhaps the profilename.xml possibly became corrupted in a similar kind of
> way...
>
> I'm really sorry I cannot give any more detail: I've been effectively
> button-mashing (ok, running varous command-line switches mainly to do with
> "cleaning" stuff) but it only worked once this switch was executed.
>
> It may be a combination or specifically this switch, but I hope this
> provides a little bit of a clue...
>
> -- Dan
>
> "CliffB" wrote:
>
> > Since I have a second machine, I have been living with the issue on my Vista
> > machine. I have not heard any 'fixes' although it seems there are more
> > reports like ours.
> >
> > Resisting a complete rebuild ...
> >
> > Cliff
> >
> > "CliffB" wrote:
> >
> > > Unable to start Outlook; rcv dialog "Cannot Start Microsoft Office Outlook;
> > > Cannot open the Outlook Window". Error occurred AFTER a Norton 2009 "idle
> > > time scan" hang DURING an Outlook send/receive that was apparrently hung due
> > > to Norton.
> > >
> > > I have attempted several published fixes including Scanpst,
> > > DeleteOutlookProfiles, running Outlook with /safe switch (same error),
> > > uninstall/reinstall Outlook, turning Norton 2009 off during my process, etc.
> > >
> > > On reinstall (after running DeleteOutlookProfiles), I create a new profile
> > > and a new Outlook PST ... still receive the "cannot open..." error.
> > >
> > > Any further suggestions - hopefully short of resorting to my recovery image?
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > >
> > > Cliff

ChadH

i am running Outlook 2007 and ran into this issue today for no apparent
reason. I rebooted my machine after a short internet outage, and BAM! "Cannot
open outlook..."

Under deadline, I Frantically started Googling the problem finding that most
people were donig uninstalls, system restores, and many other time consuming
cannibalistic things to try and fix the issue.

Then I found this post... within 10 seconds of reading and typing
Outlook.exe /resetnavpane i was back in business without the headache of
smoking 1/2 my machine to fix the problem.

Dan... the next time I am out at the pub, i will raise a glass for you my
friend.

Thank you very much.

ChadH

"Dan Thomas" wrote:

> Ok mate, I got it going...
>
> Now this is a bit vague because I was trying to reset everything but the
> process was:
>
> 1) Removed my ost (yes I'm using exchange) - well I renamed it
> outlook.ost.old in C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook and
> renamed my archive folder in C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Local
> Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook
> 2) Uninstalled all addins
> 3) found this page and started playing with no success
> http://www.microsoft.com/communities...6865&p=1&ntf=1
>
> ... UNTIL I ran Outlook.exe /resetnavpane
>
> Clears and regenerates the Navigation Pane for the current profile. Removes
> all Shortcuts and Favorite Folders. Has the same effect as deleting
> profilename.xml in your user directory.
>
> After this, I was able to get back into outlook!
>
> The only clue as to why this may have worked is because when I got the
> problem, another XML file on my machine (required to run one of my
> development programs) had also become corrupted - I can only guess that
> perhaps the profilename.xml possibly became corrupted in a similar kind of
> way...
>
> I'm really sorry I cannot give any more detail: I've been effectively
> button-mashing (ok, running varous command-line switches mainly to do with
> "cleaning" stuff) but it only worked once this switch was executed.
>
> It may be a combination or specifically this switch, but I hope this
> provides a little bit of a clue...
>
> -- Dan
>
> "CliffB" wrote:
>
> > Since I have a second machine, I have been living with the issue on my Vista
> > machine. I have not heard any 'fixes' although it seems there are more
> > reports like ours.
> >
> > Resisting a complete rebuild ...
> >
> > Cliff
> >
> > "CliffB" wrote:
> >
> > > Unable to start Outlook; rcv dialog "Cannot Start Microsoft Office Outlook;
> > > Cannot open the Outlook Window". Error occurred AFTER a Norton 2009 "idle
> > > time scan" hang DURING an Outlook send/receive that was apparrently hung due
> > > to Norton.
> > >
> > > I have attempted several published fixes including Scanpst,
> > > DeleteOutlookProfiles, running Outlook with /safe switch (same error),
> > > uninstall/reinstall Outlook, turning Norton 2009 off during my process, etc.
> > >
> > > On reinstall (after running DeleteOutlookProfiles), I create a new profile
> > > and a new Outlook PST ... still receive the "cannot open..." error.
> > >
> > > Any further suggestions - hopefully short of resorting to my recovery image?
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > >
> > > Cliff

MikeDE

Dan,
You sure saved my sanity with this solution. Great find. Thanks!



"Dan Thomas" wrote:

> Ok mate, I got it going...
>
> Now this is a bit vague because I was trying to reset everything but the
> process was:
>
> 1) Removed my ost (yes I'm using exchange) - well I renamed it
> outlook.ost.old in C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook and
> renamed my archive folder in C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Local
> Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook
> 2) Uninstalled all addins
> 3) found this page and started playing with no success
> http://www.microsoft.com/communities...6865&p=1&ntf=1
>
> ... UNTIL I ran Outlook.exe /resetnavpane
>
> Clears and regenerates the Navigation Pane for the current profile. Removes
> all Shortcuts and Favorite Folders. Has the same effect as deleting
> profilename.xml in your user directory.
>
> After this, I was able to get back into outlook!
>
> The only clue as to why this may have worked is because when I got the
> problem, another XML file on my machine (required to run one of my
> development programs) had also become corrupted - I can only guess that
> perhaps the profilename.xml possibly became corrupted in a similar kind of
> way...
>
> I'm really sorry I cannot give any more detail: I've been effectively
> button-mashing (ok, running varous command-line switches mainly to do with
> "cleaning" stuff) but it only worked once this switch was executed.
>
> It may be a combination or specifically this switch, but I hope this
> provides a little bit of a clue...
>
> -- Dan
>
> "CliffB" wrote:
>
> > Since I have a second machine, I have been living with the issue on my Vista
> > machine. I have not heard any 'fixes' although it seems there are more
> > reports like ours.
> >
> > Resisting a complete rebuild ...
> >
> > Cliff
> >
> > "CliffB" wrote:
> >
> > > Unable to start Outlook; rcv dialog "Cannot Start Microsoft Office Outlook;
> > > Cannot open the Outlook Window". Error occurred AFTER a Norton 2009 "idle
> > > time scan" hang DURING an Outlook send/receive that was apparrently hung due
> > > to Norton.
> > >
> > > I have attempted several published fixes including Scanpst,
> > > DeleteOutlookProfiles, running Outlook with /safe switch (same error),
> > > uninstall/reinstall Outlook, turning Norton 2009 off during my process, etc.
> > >
> > > On reinstall (after running DeleteOutlookProfiles), I create a new profile
> > > and a new Outlook PST ... still receive the "cannot open..." error.
> > >
> > > Any further suggestions - hopefully short of resorting to my recovery image?
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > >
> > > Cliff

FishSlapper

Dan, you are a steely-eyed, missile man! I was approaching 24 hours of being
into this problem (i.e. "Cannot open the Outlook Window"), when I found this
thread. I am running Outlook 2007/Vista 32/Ultimate/, and started getting
that message after a system hang yesterday. Like Cliff and others, I had
tried EVERYTHING to get this fixed, but nothing solved the problem, until I
found your post, Dan. So, as you suggested, I ran: "Outlook.exe
/resetnavpane" and it fixed my Outlook problem too! Thank you very much for
posting the problem (Cliff) and the solution (Dan).

Regards,

Nurgle

Dan,

Same issue this morning, out of the blue, no reason why, works fine on my
wife's log in,cannot open on mine. used your resetnavpane and all sorted!

many regards

"MikeDE" wrote:

> Dan,
> You sure saved my sanity with this solution. Great find. Thanks!
>
>
>
> "Dan Thomas" wrote:
>
> > Ok mate, I got it going...
> >
> > Now this is a bit vague because I was trying to reset everything but the
> > process was:
> >
> > 1) Removed my ost (yes I'm using exchange) - well I renamed it
> > outlook.ost.old in C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook and
> > renamed my archive folder in C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Local
> > Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook
> > 2) Uninstalled all addins
> > 3) found this page and started playing with no success
> > http://www.microsoft.com/communities...6865&p=1&ntf=1
> >
> > ... UNTIL I ran Outlook.exe /resetnavpane
> >
> > Clears and regenerates the Navigation Pane for the current profile. Removes
> > all Shortcuts and Favorite Folders. Has the same effect as deleting
> > profilename.xml in your user directory.
> >
> > After this, I was able to get back into outlook!
> >
> > The only clue as to why this may have worked is because when I got the
> > problem, another XML file on my machine (required to run one of my
> > development programs) had also become corrupted - I can only guess that
> > perhaps the profilename.xml possibly became corrupted in a similar kind of
> > way...
> >
> > I'm really sorry I cannot give any more detail: I've been effectively
> > button-mashing (ok, running varous command-line switches mainly to do with
> > "cleaning" stuff) but it only worked once this switch was executed.
> >
> > It may be a combination or specifically this switch, but I hope this
> > provides a little bit of a clue...
> >
> > -- Dan
> >
> > "CliffB" wrote:
> >
> > > Since I have a second machine, I have been living with the issue on my Vista
> > > machine. I have not heard any 'fixes' although it seems there are more
> > > reports like ours.
> > >
> > > Resisting a complete rebuild ...
> > >
> > > Cliff
> > >
> > > "CliffB" wrote:
> > >
> > > > Unable to start Outlook; rcv dialog "Cannot Start Microsoft Office Outlook;
> > > > Cannot open the Outlook Window". Error occurred AFTER a Norton 2009 "idle
> > > > time scan" hang DURING an Outlook send/receive that was apparrently hung due
> > > > to Norton.
> > > >
> > > > I have attempted several published fixes including Scanpst,
> > > > DeleteOutlookProfiles, running Outlook with /safe switch (same error),
> > > > uninstall/reinstall Outlook, turning Norton 2009 off during my process, etc.
> > > >
> > > > On reinstall (after running DeleteOutlookProfiles), I create a new profile
> > > > and a new Outlook PST ... still receive the "cannot open..." error.
> > > >
> > > > Any further suggestions - hopefully short of resorting to my recovery image?
> > > >
> > > > Thanks,
> > > >
> > > > Cliff

wiggler

Dan Thomas = Genius...

"MikeDE" wrote:

> Dan,
> You sure saved my sanity with this solution. Great find. Thanks!
>
>
>
> "Dan Thomas" wrote:
>
> > Ok mate, I got it going...
> >
> > Now this is a bit vague because I was trying to reset everything but the
> > process was:
> >
> > 1) Removed my ost (yes I'm using exchange) - well I renamed it
> > outlook.ost.old in C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook and
> > renamed my archive folder in C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Local
> > Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook
> > 2) Uninstalled all addins
> > 3) found this page and started playing with no success
> > http://www.microsoft.com/communities...6865&p=1&ntf=1
> >
> > ... UNTIL I ran Outlook.exe /resetnavpane
> >
> > Clears and regenerates the Navigation Pane for the current profile. Removes
> > all Shortcuts and Favorite Folders. Has the same effect as deleting
> > profilename.xml in your user directory.
> >
> > After this, I was able to get back into outlook!
> >
> > The only clue as to why this may have worked is because when I got the
> > problem, another XML file on my machine (required to run one of my
> > development programs) had also become corrupted - I can only guess that
> > perhaps the profilename.xml possibly became corrupted in a similar kind of
> > way...
> >
> > I'm really sorry I cannot give any more detail: I've been effectively
> > button-mashing (ok, running varous command-line switches mainly to do with
> > "cleaning" stuff) but it only worked once this switch was executed.
> >
> > It may be a combination or specifically this switch, but I hope this
> > provides a little bit of a clue...
> >
> > -- Dan
> >
> > "CliffB" wrote:
> >
> > > Since I have a second machine, I have been living with the issue on my Vista
> > > machine. I have not heard any 'fixes' although it seems there are more
> > > reports like ours.
> > >
> > > Resisting a complete rebuild ...
> > >
> > > Cliff
> > >
> > > "CliffB" wrote:
> > >
> > > > Unable to start Outlook; rcv dialog "Cannot Start Microsoft Office Outlook;
> > > > Cannot open the Outlook Window". Error occurred AFTER a Norton 2009 "idle
> > > > time scan" hang DURING an Outlook send/receive that was apparrently hung due
> > > > to Norton.
> > > >
> > > > I have attempted several published fixes including Scanpst,
> > > > DeleteOutlookProfiles, running Outlook with /safe switch (same error),
> > > > uninstall/reinstall Outlook, turning Norton 2009 off during my process, etc.
> > > >
> > > > On reinstall (after running DeleteOutlookProfiles), I create a new profile
> > > > and a new Outlook PST ... still receive the "cannot open..." error.
> > > >
> > > > Any further suggestions - hopefully short of resorting to my recovery image?
> > > >
> > > > Thanks,
> > > >
> > > > Cliff

JGJBC

Dude, you ARE the man! Thank you so much! I'm running McAfee, and hadn't
installed anything and all of a sudden got the message, too. Tried most
everything then came to MS's site and found your post, ran the outlook.exe
/resetnavpane and BAM! Outlook was working again! Again, thanks so much. I,
too, was resisting a full rebuild.

John

"Dan Thomas" wrote:

> Ok mate, I got it going...
>
> Now this is a bit vague because I was trying to reset everything but the
> process was:
>
> 1) Removed my ost (yes I'm using exchange) - well I renamed it
> outlook.ost.old in C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook and
> renamed my archive folder in C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Local
> Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook
> 2) Uninstalled all addins
> 3) found this page and started playing with no success
> http://www.microsoft.com/communities...6865&p=1&ntf=1
>
> ... UNTIL I ran Outlook.exe /resetnavpane
>
> Clears and regenerates the Navigation Pane for the current profile. Removes
> all Shortcuts and Favorite Folders. Has the same effect as deleting
> profilename.xml in your user directory.
>
> After this, I was able to get back into outlook!
>
> The only clue as to why this may have worked is because when I got the
> problem, another XML file on my machine (required to run one of my
> development programs) had also become corrupted - I can only guess that
> perhaps the profilename.xml possibly became corrupted in a similar kind of
> way...
>
> I'm really sorry I cannot give any more detail: I've been effectively
> button-mashing (ok, running varous command-line switches mainly to do with
> "cleaning" stuff) but it only worked once this switch was executed.
>
> It may be a combination or specifically this switch, but I hope this
> provides a little bit of a clue...
>
> -- Dan
>
> "CliffB" wrote:
>
> > Since I have a second machine, I have been living with the issue on my Vista
> > machine. I have not heard any 'fixes' although it seems there are more
> > reports like ours.
> >
> > Resisting a complete rebuild ...
> >
> > Cliff
> >
> > "CliffB" wrote:
> >
> > > Unable to start Outlook; rcv dialog "Cannot Start Microsoft Office Outlook;
> > > Cannot open the Outlook Window". Error occurred AFTER a Norton 2009 "idle
> > > time scan" hang DURING an Outlook send/receive that was apparrently hung due
> > > to Norton.
> > >
> > > I have attempted several published fixes including Scanpst,
> > > DeleteOutlookProfiles, running Outlook with /safe switch (same error),
> > > uninstall/reinstall Outlook, turning Norton 2009 off during my process, etc.
> > >
> > > On reinstall (after running DeleteOutlookProfiles), I create a new profile
> > > and a new Outlook PST ... still receive the "cannot open..." error.
> > >
> > > Any further suggestions - hopefully short of resorting to my recovery image?
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > >
> > > Cliff

Target Drone

Thank you very, very much!

I don't know why the "Office diagnostics" can't solve this, nor why so many
people seem to be hitting this bug recently (perhaps a Vista 64 update made
it hiccup?) But whatever, you found the magic and shared it with the rest of
us, so thanks again!

John

"Dan Thomas" wrote:
>
> ... UNTIL I ran Outlook.exe /resetnavpane
>
> Clears and regenerates the Navigation Pane for the current profile. Removes
> all Shortcuts and Favorite Folders. Has the same effect as deleting
> profilename.xml in your user directory.
>
> After this, I was able to get back into outlook!
>