How to Force Quit Outlook on Windows When It's Unresponsive or Frozen

Common Causes for Outlook Freezing on Windows

Outlook, despite its popularity, can sometimes encounter freezing issues on Windows systems. Several factors can contribute to this frustrating problem, including:

• Outdated Software: Running outdated versions of Outlook or Windows can lead to compatibility issues and performance problems.
• Problematic Add-ins: Certain add-ins, while enhancing Outlook's functionality, may cause conflicts or slowdowns.
• Corrupted Outlook Data Files: Damaged PST or OST files can hinder Outlook's operation and trigger freezing incidents.
• Insufficient System Resources: A lack of available memory or processing power can impact Outlook's performance, especially when handling large mailboxes or attachments.
• Background Processes: Other applications running in the background can compete for system resources, potentially affecting Outlook's responsiveness.

How to Close Unresponsive Outlook on Windows

If Outlook becomes unresponsive and freezes, there are several methods to force its closure:

Using Task Manager to End Outlook Task on Windows

Step 1. Open Task Manager: Right-click on the taskbar and select "Task Manager" or use the Ctrl+Shift+Esc shortcut.

Step 2. Locate Outlook Process: In the Processes tab, find the "Outlook" process.

Step 3. End the Task: Right-click on the "Outlook" process and select "End Task."

Closing Outlook with Command Prompt

Step 1. Open Command Prompt: Search for "Command Prompt" in the Start menu and run it as an administrator. Or you can press the Windows key + R. In the pop-out Run dialogue, type "cmd" in the search box and press Enter.

Step 2. List All Tasks on Your Device: Type tasklist in the Command Prompt.

Step 3. Terminate Outlook Process: Type the following command and press Enter:

taskkill /IM outlook.exe /F

How to Stop Outlook from Freezing on Windows

To prevent future freezing issues, consider the following tips:

Updating Outlook and Windows for Better Performance

• Check for Updates: Regularly update both Outlook and Windows to benefit from bug fixes and performance improvements. Microsoft often releases updates that address specific issues and enhance overall performance.
• Install Latest Patches: Apply all available patches and security updates to ensure optimal system stability. These updates often include critical security fixes and performance optimizations.

Disabling Add-ins that Cause Freezing

• Identify Problematic Add-ins: Temporarily disable add-ins one by one to pinpoint the culprit. You can do this by going to File > Options > Add-ins. Select COM Add-ins and click Go. Or at the top of Outlook, in the "Tell me what you want to do" search box, type "Com".  The list will populate and then you should click on "COM Add-ins".

• Disable  or Delete Unnecessary Add-ins: Remove or disable add-ins that you don't frequently use. Having too many add-ins running can slow down Outlook and increase the risk of freezing.

Optimizing Outlook Settings for Smooth Operation

• Adjust Outlook Settings: Customize Outlook settings to suit your preferences and optimize performance. For example, you can adjust how often Outlook checks for new mail, the number of days to keep messages in the Deleted Items folder, and the size of the offline data file.
• Reduce Mailbox Size: Regularly archive old emails to reduce the size of your mailbox and improve Outlook's responsiveness.
• Limit Attachments: Avoid sending large attachments as they can slow down Outlook and increase the risk of freezing.
• Disable Unnecessary Features: Disable features like automatic spell-checking or grammar checking if you don't need them.
• Use Outlook's Search Function: Instead of scrolling through long lists of emails, use Outlook's powerful search function to quickly find what you need.

Troubleshoot When Outlook Won’t Quit or Close

If Outlook refuses to close even after using the above methods, try these additional techniques:

• Restart Windows to Shut Down Outlook: If Outlook is completely unresponsive, restart your computer to terminate all running processes, including Outlook.
• Use Safe Mode to Prevent Outlook from Freezing: Boot your computer into Safe Mode to start Windows with minimal drivers and services. Once in Safe Mode, try closing Outlook normally or using the Task Manager.

Bonus Tip: How to Manage and Back up Outlook Emails

This article addresses the question “How to force quite Outlook on Windows?”. If you’re considering backing up your Outlook, MultCloud can be extremely useful. Trusted by over 3 million users, MultCloud is a multi-cloud management tool that facilitates the transfer or synchronization of files between various cloud services.

For instance, you can save your Outlook emails as PDFs to your computer or cloud drives, such as Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox, in bulk. MultCloud also enables you to access and manage all your cloud or Email accounts via a single application. Currently, it supports more than 30 different cloud services, including Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, Box, Google Photos, iCloud Photos, FTP, WebDav, and more.