Keep Getting "Outlook closed while you had items open. Reopen items from last session?" Even Though It's Not True

Anonymous
2023-07-05T13:34:20+00:00

This just started happening. Whenever I open Outlook, I get the message "Outlook closed while you had items open. Reopen items from last session?" even though this is not true -- I did not have items open when I closed Outlook. Using Windows 11. Screenshot of what version of Outlook I have:

Outlook | Windows | Classic Outlook for Windows | For business

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Anonymous
2023-07-07T17:46:51+00:00

I'm on build 2306. Is this the reg key in question?

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\Preferences
DWORD: ReopenWindowsOption
Value: 1

Yes.

Some users that updated to 2306 have reported that the key was not already in the Registry and had to add it and the value.

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-08-07T18:44:34+00:00

    I noticed last night when closing down my pc, about 10 or so minutes after I closed Outlook, I checked Task Manager and Outlook was still running in the background so manually closed it, and of course this morning I got that "Reopen..." message again upon restart.

    I'm not trying to sound like an expert since I'm not, but perhaps a part of the problem is in Outlook's shutdown process in that it isn't fully shutting down, or at least there's some value somewhere that isn't getting updated when Outlook does close so it defaults to the "Reopen items.." message.

    Yes, I did add that ' /restore' to my shortcut so I shouldn't get those messages again - hoooray, something will consistently work correctly for a change!!!!

    And yet again, thanks to all who figured this out AND publicized it. Hopefully the next update will go like most of the rest, i.e., smoothly since I really don't want to resort to those big hammers I have out in the garage!

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-08-09T23:30:05+00:00

    I found opening outlook in different modes cleared the error.

    Its not as academic as registry keys changes etc and probably similar to tapping it with a hammer.

    1st open with the restore switch: Windows Key + R and in the dialogue box type, "Outlook /restore" (obviously without the "").

    Then close the program.

    2nd, open in Safe mode: Windows key + R and in the dialogue box type, "outlook /safe" (obviously without the "").

    Then close the program and open in normal mode with the normal shortcut/icon.

    It is OK so far, I have only tested it (by opening and closing the program many times for 30 mins), so I am crossing fingers.

    Update:
    I didn't realise that some others had already suggested /restore switch.
    Anyway, its all still working, which is great.

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-08-10T07:57:46+00:00

    Windows Key + R and in the dialog box type "Outlook.exe /resetnavpane also fixed the issue.

    Alas temporarely!

    Meanwhile I chatted six (6!) times with a Microsoft support employee and each one told me that the issue has been resolved definitely...

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-08-10T08:30:42+00:00

    Microsoft do not appear to live in the real world. I mean, how many of us really care about new emojis or another tweak to Word or Outlook? Probably a tiny percentage. Everyone else just wants stable software with bells and whistles that work. I wish they would stop tinkering and perfect what we already use.

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