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

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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

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-10-22T23:03:52+00:00

    I took this one step further. Let the new outlook install. Then delete everything out of that directory, but NOT the directory itself. Then make it read only. Windows will be unable to install it.

    I just tested this, clicking the "try the new outlook" just makes it blink once. This is the way we used to keep **** from installing.

    You will need to change the permissions on the WindowsApps directory as "TrustedInstaler" owns it

    C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.OutlookForWindows_1.2024.1017.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-10-24T01:47:12+00:00

    It is not working at all, after deleting the file, it will appear when you reopen the mail

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  3. Anonymous
    2024-10-24T07:16:36+00:00

    Thank you Jamie for letting us know. There were 4 different possible solutions shared on this thread. It's possible that different solutions might work for different PC's. Or a combination of solutions might work. (1- deleting .json files and denying user write permissions, 2- deleting olk.exe, 3- Python script for auto uninstall, 4- Installing dummy new outlook)

    I realised that in my case, the "olk.exe" file also reappeared but the new outlook would still not launch.

    But previously I had gone to username]\AppData\Local\Packages\microsoft.windowscommunicationsapps_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState\Migration\settings.json

    and deleted all the .json files. Then I changed the security settings of the "Migration" folder and denied the current user (me) from write privileges. (Credit Jimmy W. post)

    This did not work for me but deleting .olk.exe worked.

    So possibly you need to do BOTH things. ie. delete .json files, deny write privileges of the Migration folder,

    Then go to "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.OutlookForWindows" and delete "olk.exe" and afterwards restore the owner to "Trusted Installer"

    _________________________

    If that doesn't work, I also have another suggestion you might try.

    1- Close the new outlook.

    2- Go to "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.OutlookForWindows" and rename "olk.exe" to "old_olk.exe".

    3 Create a new text document on your desktop and rename it to olk.exe

    4- Copy the dummy olk.exe file into "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.OutlookForWindows"

    It might help.

    Please let us know how you get on.

    Kind regards

    Chris

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  4. Anonymous
    2024-10-25T01:15:29+00:00

    I had this problem too. this should fix your issues. It's open source so you can look through the files incase you don't trust me

    https://github.com/SempaiRock/OutlookRemover/tree/main

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