Unable to run New Outlook (Outlook for Windows)

Try the following in the Run command (Windows key + R):

olk.exe --clearLocalState

From https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook\_com/forum/all/cannot-open-new-outlook/c2350274-e743-4c1b-b581-1bfa324c1059

I completely deleted C:\Users[User]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Olk, and re-installed Outlook, things work now, I just have to sign in every email accounts I previously own. Note this WILL delete all your previous data store in outlook. But since I tried everything I'm glad this work.

I had the same issue with the new Outlook not launching at all. I tried everything; repairing, resetting, uninstalling and reinstalling but nothing worked. Safe Mode wasn’t even an option, since Windows didn’t recognize the command.

What finally worked for me was manually editing the local configuration file. I navigated to:

C:\Users[User]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Olk

Inside that directory, I located a file named "UserSettings.json".

Here’s what I did:

1. Made a backup copy of "UserSettings.json" before making any changes.
2. Opened the file in a text editor.
3. Removed or cleared the following sections:
   • "Identities.IdentityAliases"
   • "Identities.CloudCache"
   • "AccountLocalBackup.Json"

These sections contain cached identity tokens, cloud sync metadata, and locally stored account definitions. In my case, I knew all my data was synced to the cloud, so it was safe to clear out the local state.

After saving the file and restarting Outlook, the sign-in prompt reappeared and everything worked as expected.

Just make sure you back up the original file first, in case you need to revert.

Hope this helps

Unfortuntaely, having tried almost all of the steps (except the last one; no idea what the error code or client ID would be in my case, and that's a solution I want to avoid anyway so please disregard that), it seems it's still not working, and displays the same error as in the screenshot.

Hi Cognoscentus,

Thank you for posting here in Community.

Thank you for sharing the image and the details of the issue you're facing. Let's walk through this together. You've encountered a frustrating error while trying to use the new version of Microsoft Outlook for Windows. The error message, "Microsoft.Exchange.Data.Directory.ADDriverStoreAccessNonLocalException," is preventing you from proceeding, and the usual troubleshooting options like "More Details" and "Troubleshoot" aren't helping.

I completely understand how disruptive this can be—especially when you're expecting a seamless transition to a new Outlook experience. You're not alone in this, and I’m here to guide you through some effective steps to resolve it.

You're attempting to use the new Outlook for Windows but are blocked by a directory access error. The error message suggests a problem with how Outlook is trying to connect to the Exchange directory services. You also suspect that your login alias might be contributing to the issue, and the built-in troubleshooting tools have not provided any resolution.

Recommended Troubleshooting Steps

Here’s a structured approach to resolving this:

1. Confirm Internet Connectivity
   • Ensure your device is connected to a stable and secure network.
2. Restart Outlook and Your PC
   • Sometimes a simple restart can clear temporary glitches.
3. Repair Microsoft Office
   • Go to Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features
   • Select Microsoft Office, click Change, then choose Quick Repair or Online Repair.
4. Create a New Outlook Profile
   • Navigate to Control Panel > Mail > Show Profiles > Add
   • Set the new profile as default and try launching Outlook again.
5. Check Account Alias
   • If you're using an alias to log in, try switching to the primary email address associated with your Microsoft account.
6. Disable Add-ins
   • Open Outlook in Safe Mode: Press Win + R, type outlook.exe /safe, and press Enter.
   • If it opens successfully, disable add-ins via File > Options > Add-ins.
7. Run as Administrator
   • Right-click the Outlook shortcut and select Run as Administrator.
8. Update Windows and Office
   • Ensure both Windows and Microsoft Office are fully updated.
9. Contact Microsoft Support
   • If the issue persists, reaching out to Microsoft Support with the error code and client ID will help escalate the issue.

Let me know how it goes!

Best regards,

Bo | Microsoft Community