Sometimes Outlook may take a long time to start. When you launch Outlook (if it was completely closed), it loads up its required files, settings, Profile data, and plug-ins. In most cases, it is not more than a few seconds, but sometimes, it can lag and take a more time than expected.
Launch Outlook Faster
One of the ways to make Outlook launch quicker is the basic clean up of computer and to upgrade your computer specifications itself. Removing viruses and malware, cleaning up space, keep the disks where Outlook is installed error-free, defragmenting disks, and uninstalling any unwanted programs that you may have installed. So, basically, you can speed up the launch process by going through all the basic steps of making the overall computer faster and responsive.
But today we are talking about a specific method that can offer much higher gains in the terms of speed without compromising other things. However, it does not apply to every use equally.
To put it simply: disable the add-ins in Outlook.
The first thought that may have popped up in your head is that you cannot do so. Afterall, you installed the plugins because you have some use for them.
But the solution to disable the add-ins in Outlook are mainly for those users who do not have any use of plugins. But it could also be useful for those users who manually installed some third-party plugins that they use.
This way of faster booting up of Outlook is simply this: disable the default add-ins that are turned on by default when you first launch Outlook. Many of those add-ins load at startup and not merely when you want to use them. By turning them off, you considerably improve the speed for Outlook loading. And commonly, most of these default add-ins are not used by many users frequently. If you do need them, you can enable them when the work needs it.
To disable these add-ins:
- Start Outlook, go to File -> Options -> Add-ins tab
- Here you can see all the installed Add-ins, their location (the dll file), and the type of add-in.
- At the bottom, you will see the option for “Manage.” Select “COM Add-ins” and click on “Go.”
- In the ‘Manage’ window, when you click on an add-in, you can see at the bottom of the dialog box if they load at startup. Most of the default add-ins load at the startup
- Simply uncheck the box for the add-ins that you do not need and click “OK” to close the Window.
In the latest versions of Outlook, you will commonly find these add-ins, like:
- Access Outlook for data collection and publishing
- Exchange
- SharePoint Server
- VBA for admins
- OneNote
- Outlook Social Connector
- Skype
- TeamViewer
It’s likely that you do not use any of them or only few of them with the exception of Microsoft Exchange, which you should not disable (read the note below). You can disable the rest by unchecking the box.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The only add-in that you should not disable is Microsoft Exchange Add-in. Even if you are not using Outlook or Microsoft email accounts, Outlook client needs Exchange to properly function to keep your Profile data safe and secure and to maintain the local cache copy of the emails.
You will notice a considerable change in how fast Outlook loads up. Hope this tip has been helpful to you in saving your time every time you need to restart Outlook.