OL97: Unable to Start Outlook Minimized

ID: Q169563

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Outlook 97

SYMPTOMS

When you right-click the Microsoft Outlook 97 shortcut on the desktop and then click Properties, there is a Run Minimized option on the Shortcut tab. If you select this option and then start Outlook using the shortcut, Outlook starts in a normal window.

CAUSE

This occurs if you are using the Rules Wizard. The Rules Wizard prevents the Run Minimized feature from working in Microsoft Outlook 97 version 8.0.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Outlook 97. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

MORE INFORMATION

The only condition under which Outlook 97 "may" be started minimized is if the following two conditions are true:

Rules Wizard add-in must be disabled.
Change the window state from maximized to any other state (such as Restore) prior to closing Outlook. When Outlook is re-opened, it will open minimized.

There is a third step required if you want Outlook 97 to start minimized with NO user intervention. If you do not wish to be forced to interact with Outlook by choosing a profile on startup, then this last step will eliminate the request for interaction:

If there is more than one profile, then Outlook must be set to "Always start in this profile" To make this setting use the following steps:

1. On the Tools menu, click Options.

2. On the General tab in the section titled Startup Settings, click to

   select "Always use this profile", and then click to select the profile
   to be used when Outlook starts.

The Rules Wizard is a free utility that allows you to create and edit natural-language rules to manage incoming and outgoing e-mail messages. It is available on the Microsoft Web site at:

   http://www.microsoft.com/office/enhoutlook.asp

NOTE: Because the Microsoft Web site is constantly updated, the site address may change without notice. If this occurs, link to the Microsoft home page at the following address:

   http://www.microsoft.com/

Additional query words: startup

Keywords          : MsgInbxA 
Version           : WINDOWS:97
Platform          : WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbbug

Last Reviewed: September 23, 1998