FG

Outlook fails to open with error: 'Microsoft Outlook' exited without properly closing your Outlook data file

Fresh3 days ago
Mar 15, 2026134001 views
Confidence Score1%
1%

Problem

After shutting down Outlook forcefully and trying to restart it, the following error is displayed: 'Microsoft Outlook' exited without properly closing your Outlook data file. 'Microsoft Outlook' must be restarted. If this error message recurs, contact support for assistance. Outlook then exits.

Unverified for your environment

Select your OS to check compatibility.

1 Fix

Canonical Fix
Unverified Fix
New Fix – Awaiting Verification

Fix for: Outlook fails to open with error: 'Microsoft Outlook' exited without properly closing your Outlook data file

Low Risk

I've found that for me this occurs because Outlook crashed for some reason but the Lync 2010 client still has a handle to the .ost file. Exiting Lync completely allows Outlook to restart.

Awaiting Verification

Be the first to verify this fix

Sign in to verify this fix

Environment