Outlook 2003 (XP) leaves process running after exit. Why?

[Andy Wall]

I run Outlook 2003 SP3 under XP Pro SP3. I use two profiles and it is set to
prompt for a profile on startup.

When I shut it down (File -> Exit or simply clicking the redclose button) if
often leaves a process running and the notification icon remains in the
system tray. The result is that when I want to start Outlook again, it
doesn't prompt for a profile.

How can I ensure Outlook fully shuts down every time?

 

[Russ Valentine]

Some common reasons why Outlook will not shut down completely when you click
either the X or Exit:

1. PDA synchronization software with your PDA in the cradle. (activesync,
iTunes, etc.)
2. WinFax Pro (especially 10.02 in Outlook 2003) - contact their support
for an alleged fix.
3. Franklin-Covey Plan Plus!
4. COM Add-ins.
5. Mail reminder add-ins that keep a stub of Outlook open in the background
to check for new mail and fire reminders.
6. Anti-virus/firewall programs that are set to scan incoming and outgoing
mail.
7. Skype
8. Infuzer
9. Google calendar synch.

Disable all COM addins and remove the integration with your firewall and AV.

Open Outlook in Safe mode and start/stop Outlook every time after adding
back in your add-ins one by one. The first one you have enabled and the
error message occurs again, you know what to do.

 

[Dave Burns]

There's another, more common, reason that Outlook fails to exit when you
close the window: if, in Outlook options, you have it set to use MS Word to
compose messages. It's the default setting and one of the buggiest features
in the entire Office suite.

Check this: when you close Outlook and notice that OUTLOOK.EXE is still
resident in memory, scroll down the processes list and see if WINWORD.EXE is
also stuck. Force both processes to end. Then open Outlook and go to
options -> mail format tab and uncheck the option to use Word to compose
email. Microsoft struggled with this bug in every version of Outlook until
2007.

--Dave

 

[Russ Valentine]

Not common at all, unless you have a corrupt installation or discordant
versions.