How To Start Outlook In Safe Mode? Follow The Easy Steps

By Thomas G. Bass | November 12, 2019

Windows users often face several problems with Outlook and couldn’t open it properly. In this situation, it becomes necessary to launch the Outlook in Safe Mode. 

Safe mode enables the users to run the Outlook with limited features and functionality. Basically, it is a start-up operation mode for executing certain applications on the Operating System. 

After encountering an error, you may receive the message “Do you want to start Outlook in safe mode?” This can appear on the screen when an error occurred in the previous session of Outlook. 

To launch Outlook in Safe Mode, we will discuss a few methods. 

Easy Hacks to Start Outlook in Safe Mode

There are three ways to start Outlook in Safe Mode. You can perform them by following the below-discussed methods: 

Procedure 1: Using Ctrl Key

It is an easier and faster way to open Outlook in Safe Mode. Here’s how to do this: 

  • First of all, look for the Outlook email client shortcut icon on the desktop. Click twice on it by holding the Ctrl key from the keyboard. 

Note: If you are unable to locate the shortcut icon of the Outlook email client, then go to the Start menu and type ‘outlook” in the search bar. Hold the Ctrl key and click on the ‘Outlook’ option appearing as the search result. 

  • Afterward, a warning message will pop-up that says “You’re holding down the Ctrl key. Do you want to start Outlook in safe mode?”  
  • Click on the Yes button to launch the MS Outlook in Safe Mode. 

Now, you will see that the Outlook is opened in Safe Mode. Since the title bar will be showing “Microsoft Outlook (Safe Mode).” 

But, if this method failed to open Outlook in Safe Mode, then you can move on to the next procedure. 

Procedure 2: Using the Command Line

Besides, you can use the command line to open the Outlook in Safe Mode as well. To do this, you can perform the below steps:

  • In the beginning, press the R and Win key both at the same time to open the Run command box. 
  • Afterward, type “outlook.exe /safe” in the box and press Enter to proceed. 
  • It will navigate you to the “Choose Profile” window. Select the ‘Default Outlook’ option and tap on the OK button to open the profile. 

Now, Outlook will start to run in Safe Mode. Otherwise, you can perform the next method stated below. 

Procedure 3: Create an Outlook Shortcut Icon

If you are required to open the Outlook application in Safe Mode frequently, apply this trick. You can create a shortcut icon on the desktop for faster access. 

How to Create a Shortcut Icon for Outlook Application? 

To create an Outlook shortcut on your desktop, here are the steps:

  1. First and foremost, right-click on an empty space on your desktop. 
  2. Afterward, click on the New option and then select Shortcut from the list. 
  3. Now, enter the full path to locate “Outlook.exe” and use the ‘/safe’ switch. Click on the Next button to continue. 
  4. The full path of the Outlook application depends on the OS version that you are using: 

    • For Windows x86 version (32 bit), mention the path: “C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office<version-number>.”
    • For Windows x64 version (64 bit), mention the path: “C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office < version-number>.” 

  1. Now, use the full path of the outlook.exe along with the command “C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office16\outlook.exe /safe.” 
  2. Click on the OK button to create the shortcut icon. 

Additional Information: 

There are some supplementary keys to run Outlook apps in Safe Mode in versions 2007/2010. They are: 

  • /safe:1 – to run Outlook by disabling the reading area. 
  • /safe:2 – to run Outlook with no mail check at startup. 
  • /safe:3 – to launch Outlook by disabling the client extensions.
  • /safe:4: – to open Outlook without loading the ‘outcmd.dat’ file. 
Posted in Outlook