How To Stop The New Outlook From Automatically Installing

Anonymous
2024-10-09T19:40:49+00:00

I need help please to stop the new outlook from automatically installing and replacing my windows and calendar app. I have uninstalled the new Outlook 4 times today. Every time I launch the old mail and Calendar app the new outlook automatically installs without my permission. It stops me from using the old app. This is very annoying. I don't want the new app. Is there any way to stop this from happening? Your advice would be appreciated.

Kind regards

Chris

Outlook | Windows | New Outlook for Windows | For business

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2024-10-16T14:59:10+00:00

What worked for me was deleting the new Outlook's executable ("olk.exe") from "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.OutlookForWindows".

Once it's gone, it can't forcibly launch anymore when you open Windows Mail.

You first need to take ownership of the "WindowsApps" folder, then after deleting/renaming the .exe, restore the ownership back to "TrustedInstaller" (to prevent any potential issue down the line).

Useful Links:

Credit for original solution (deleting olk.exe):

https://www.reddit.com/r/Windows11/comments/1g1ffst/block_the_windows_11_outlook_app/

Detailed instructions on changing ownership:

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/restore-windowsapps-permissionss-to/464e65c1-6690-493b-8cf6-c85a5ac5468a

Was this answer helpful?

50+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

89 additional answers

Sort by: Oldest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2025-03-11T17:41:02+00:00

    does not work because after office updates come through you’ll be right back where you were there will be the Olk.EXE right back where it used to be

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2025-03-11T17:50:43+00:00

    I managed to stop it completely...however, a few weeks ago Microsoft pulled mail functionality, and other apps were very glitchy. After all the screwdrivering I couldn't even get new outlook working again. Had to do a full system reset and now sadly using new outlook. They won.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2025-03-11T19:12:36+00:00

    Somehow, the last version of the old Mail app is still working just fine for me. I deleted olk.exe and substituted it with a dummy version of olk.exe made from a renamed empty text file. I did the same for my father in laws PC and Mail is working there as well. I might add that when I launch "Mail" I always get the message to start the "new Outlook". When I click OK, Outlook can't launch and I can continue with "Mail".

    Out of interest, I will see how long the old Mail app will continue to survive on my PC. I know the old "Mail" app is living on borrowed time. When mail stops working, I will probably install Wino Mail from the app store.

    The last few days I was servicing a very old laptop belonging to a friend. The old Mail app worked just fine. When it updated to Outlook, it bogged down the PC which became very slow and almost impossible to use. So I uninstalled Outlook and installed Wino Mail and the laptop worked just fine after that.

    Kind regards

    Chris

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2025-03-12T11:38:08+00:00

    Your lucky you got it working with a "screwdriver", I decided to use a hammer, literally! I am now using an old MAC Book and am going to try and kiss Microsoft good bye forever. It wasn't this issue alone, my bigger problem is that after years of mapping OneDrive as a network drive and not having to use their bloatware app, one day, about 4 years ago under Windows 10, it mysteriously stopped working. Then, To make things worse, after watching diligently to make sure that I wasn't going to be "upgraded" to Windows 11, Last week, I woke up the computer from sleep and whamo, I was on Windows 11 and the option to revert was grayed out!!! I am sick of this company!!

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments