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. lmacri 2,505 Reputation points
    2023-09-18T16:00:23+00:00

    Hi Michael Chesley Johnson:

    Please note that the MS support article Outlook Unexpectedly Prompts to Reopen Items From Your Last Session was updated on 14-Sep-2023 and now states:

    "This problem is currently scheduled to be fixed in Version 2310 with an estimated release in late October 2023. We will update this topic with more specific information as we get closer to release."

    Kudos to Forum Mod Gabriel Bratton for alerting readers to this upcoming fix in their 18-Sep-2023 post in CSG-08’s My Outlook 2016 “Start Up Options menu” has no drop down submenu.
    ————
    Dell Inspiron 15 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2 build 19045.3448 * Firefox v117.0.1 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.23080.2006-1.1.23080.2005 * Malwarebytes Premium v4.6.2.281-1.0.2131 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7279 * MS Office Home and Business 2019 v2308 Build 16731.20234

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-09-21T10:08:36+00:00

    Just want to add an extra possible fix if the option is not there and the regkey does not work.

    Try to toggle the following option off, restart outlook, and toggle back on:

    "Store my outlook settings in the cloud"

    After disabling and then re-enabling this option, the message went away.

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-09-21T10:36:17+00:00

    Thanks for the recommendation, no longer get this error anymore. It eventually fixed itself up. Must have been a Microsoft bug. Thanks again! Cheers!

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-09-22T09:43:17+00:00

    I fixed it in my 2016 Outlook! :) No more "outlook closed while you had items open" error after months of frustration!!!

    Simply click on on that "try the new outlook" in the top right corner and then cancel the download /update!

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