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Outlook for Mac 2011 initializes but actual program won't open

ddublu

ddublu

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Jun 26, 2011
1,369
73
Thinking that it's just not visible somewhere on my screens...I run three external panels along with my rMBP display and was working away from them when this started...plugged all back in and Outlook starts but then the actual program isn't anywhere to be found. Suggestions?
 
ddublu said:
Thinking that it's just not visible somewhere on my screens...I run three external panels along with my rMBP display and was working away from them when this started...plugged all back in and Outlook starts but then the actual program isn't anywhere to be found. Suggestions?
Click to expand...

I've noticed the same behavior with Skype. But when I tried to reinstall Skype, it claimed the app was damaged and refused to even launch it.
 
same here...cant see the app. I can create a new email, but can't view my inbox
 
digitalfx said:
same here...cant see the app. I can create a new email, but can't view my inbox
Click to expand...

Most signs would point to a rebuild but I don't think that's going to solve the problem. Giving it a shot anyway. I have had this issue with PPT in the past where it minimizes a window off screen somewhere and clicking window---zoom would bring it back. Window--zoom is not an option in the outlook menu bar across the top.
 
ddublu said:
I rebuilt but what do you mean about deleting data?
Click to expand...

FOLLOW AT YOUR OWN RISK- If on an exchange server or Office365, your data resides elsewhere and is duplicated on your computer:

Close Outlook
Go to documents/microsoft user data/
delete the folder Microsoft 2011 Identities

restart Outlook

then go to preferences and add your accounts back.

then wait for the file to rebuild...depending on how big it is, it might take several days...but Outlook should now run.
 
Last edited:
digitalfx said:
Close Outlook
Go to documents/microsoft user data/
delete the folder Microsoft 2011 Identities

restart Outlook

then go to preferences and add your accounts back.

then wait for the file to rebuild...depending on how big it is, it might take several days...but Outlook should now run.
Click to expand...

Does that not delete all of my mail data stored on my computer?
 
digitalfx said:
YES.
Sorry, this is assuming you are on an exchange server, or Office365.

what type of email account do you have?
Click to expand...

I have 3 exchange accts and a gmail acct. For some reason, I've always moved older files off of the server and to my computer under "on my computer". Maybe this is reverse from what it should be but won't 10's if thousands if emails on the server under my inbox bog it down?
 
ddublu said:
I have 3 exchange accts and a gmail acct. For some reason, I've always moved older files off of the server and to my computer under "on my computer". Maybe this is reverse from what it should be but won't 10's if thousands if emails on the server under my inbox bog it down?
Click to expand...

The exchange accounts are no big deal, it will rebuild them as all the data resides on your exchange server. Yes, it could take days to rebuild, but at least you get Outlook working again. Mine usually takes about 3 days to rebuild everything.

Not sure how gmail account works, I don't use Outlook for my gmail accounts.

EDIT: oops, yea I just read your post again...yes you will lose the "on my computer" mail.

This is exactly why I keep all mine inside Exchange server. It will depend on how you are set up...but I have 10's of thousands of emails in my file which is over 40gb's and no issues. Some will tell you this is crazy, but it works for me.
 
ddublu said:
I have 3 exchange accts and a gmail acct. For some reason, I've always moved older files off of the server and to my computer under "on my computer". Maybe this is reverse from what it should be but won't 10's if thousands if emails on the server under my inbox bog it down?
Click to expand...

try just renaming the data folder. Outlook should work now.
 
digitalfx said:
try just renaming the data folder. Outlook should work now.
Click to expand...

Yikes. I ended up reverting back to Mavericks. Problem is the most recent backup was from March. I am having to reinstall office now as it wouldn't let me "activate" outlook (or word, ppt, excel). Not having outlook was the biggest issue with keeping Yosemite. If I can get it to work and maybe move all mail to exchange server I may go back.
 
Hm, the workaround doesn't work for me.

If I erase: ~/Documents/Microsoft User Data/Office 2011 Identities

I still can't get a main window to appear in Outlook. If I bring up Preferences I still see my Exchange account there.

I tried also deleting: ~/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/Office/Preferences/Office 2011/Outlook Preferences

..but I get the same result.

Just curious if anyone else has seen this result or can spot anything I'm doing wrong before I go digging and deleting more stuff.

Also, we might want to report in this thread: https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=19204150#post19204150

Thanks
 
Deleted my profile then re-added it, seemed to fix it for a while, but now its happening again.

Anyone have a permanent fix for this?
 
Been working just fine since DP1. However, outlook takes forever to open [ ~ 15 secs ] even under DP3 .. Had to rebuild once, but been okay since.
 
M5RahuL said:
Been working just fine since DP1. However, outlook takes forever to open [ ~ 15 secs ] even under DP3 .. Had to rebuild once, but been okay since.
Click to expand...

You running exchange mailbox? or local?

I might create a new user account and see if that fixes it.
 
Runs fine under a new user account.

Hmmm.

Even tried deleting everything microsoft related in the user library account. Setup a new mailbox, outlook preferences etc.. same problem.

Looks like the fix is to migrate to a new user account. Probably about time given i've been using this profile since 10.6. :)
 
I was able to get Outlook's Main Identity file to work finally. Used digitalfx suggestion. Copied Main Identity to another folder. Deleted. Rebooted. Started Outlook which created a new Main Identity. Closed app. Deleted new identity. Emptied trash. Add old Identity back into folder. Rebooted. Started up Outlook again and it recognized it. Whew. Thx digitalfx!
 
ShredderAK said:
I was able to get Outlook's Main Identity file to work finally. Used digitalfx suggestion. Copied Main Identity to another folder. Deleted. Rebooted. Started Outlook which created a new Main Identity. Closed app. Deleted new identity. Emptied trash. Add old Identity back into folder. Rebooted. Started up Outlook again and it recognized it. Whew. Thx digitalfx!
Click to expand...
Won't work for me. :( Outlook won't create a new identity. When I've had a look around, I'm going to downgrade to Mavericks (again) as I did when the Y-B3 had this same problem.
 
unstable

Well, that was the process for me, but when I quit and tried to reopen it didn't open main window. So went through process again and it's up and running. So, will try and see if i don't have to reboot my mac. :eek:
 
ShredderAK said:
Well, that was the process for me, but when I quit and tried to reopen it didn't open main window. So went through process again and it's up and running. So, will try and see if i don't have to reboot my mac. :eek:
Click to expand...
Managed to open the main window with a new identity after force quitting the Microsoft database demon via Activity monitor and then following your procedure. But when I repeated this adding back my identity from Time Machine, Outlook failed to open the main window.:mad:

Well past bedtime here now, so I'll leave my Mac downgrading to Mavericks from Time Machine while I sleep! :(
 
Outlook

Have tried all of the above and nothing has worked, any help would be great
 
Forgot the other thing I did with delete or change the plist name: com.microsoft.Outlook.plist from HD/Users/user/Library/Preferences

hsotnicam8002 said:
Managed to open the main window with a new identity after force quitting the Microsoft database demon via Activity monitor and then following your procedure. But when I repeated this adding back my identity from Time Machine, Outlook failed to open the main window.:mad:

Well past bedtime here now, so I'll leave my Mac downgrading to Mavericks from Time Machine while I sleep! :(
Click to expand...
 
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