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
    2023-08-10T21:08:51+00:00

    A really big AMEN TO THAT!!!!

    The one that really got me when I went to Win11 was naming the right hand bottom toolbar as the "right-hand taskbar overflow area"... Now really, who the heck really cares, but someone at an unnamed software company decided to spend some time coming up with a new name when they could have been fixing some other nagging problem, like why after a couple updates ago whenever I click on the 'settings' button, the icon in the taskbar comes up all black, ditto for the icon in the 'taskbar overflow area' for my usb stick - all black.

    Oh well... That other big company named after a fruit has it's own problems (much to the contrary of family members that keep on telling me to ditch MS OS and go to IOS), like why after the latest update about 10 days ago I couldn't connect to my wifi anymore - that one took about 2 days, finagling various settings on my device, multiple reboots of my router, and lots of time in research to get back to 'normal'.

    I realize it is very easy to criticize but often very difficult to compliment. Just wish I had more occasions to offer compliments....

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-08-10T14:29:24+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.

    FYI: To open Outlook or any Office app in safe mode: hold down the Shift key while clicking the shortcut to open the app. A box will open asking you if you want to start that app in safe mode. Quick and easy.

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-08-10T14:24:59+00:00

    I just downloaded the latest version 8/8/23 and it's working fine

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  4. 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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