Avast prevents Outlook 2007 from starting

[4me2play]

New laptop came with McAfee AV... I removed it and loaded the latest Avast instead. Now, my Outlook 2007 will no longer start. The program gets to the point where it accesses Avast for a quick check, then pukes... Gives me a message... "Cannot start Microsoft Office Outlook. Cannot open the Outlook window"

Seems like there is a conflict between Avast and Outlook... but, what to do to fix it???

[Lisandro]

Generally, an Outlook switch corrects this (maybe /resetnavpane).
See http://www.outlook-tips.net/howto/commandlines.htm

This article provides the steps to remove SecurityCenter from your computer.
http://ts.mcafeehelp.com/faq3.asp?docid=71525
Also for direct download: http://download.mcafee.com/products/licensed/cust_support_patches/VSCleanupTool.exe
and http://download.mcafee.com/products/licensed/cust_support_patches/MCPR.exe (2007)

Sometimes, McAfee won't be completely removed if, before, you do not uninstall Avast, including the use of its "Uninstall Application" if necessary (www.avast.com/eng/faq-install-uninstall-avast.html).

[4me2play]

I'll look at the referenced links this evening... (I'm at work now)... But, when I "uninstalled" McAfee, I did it through the uninstall function (Control Panel, Add or Remove Programs) in Windows. And, thought that it would get everything... maybe it didn't.

Once complete, I rebooted the machine. Then, loaded Avast...

Anyway, maybe your linked info will resolve the problem. I hope so... I really like Avast (except for the new "voice"... I kinda liked the old one.)

Thanks for your help.

[Lisandro]

I really like Avast (except for the new "voice"... I kinda liked the old one.)

You can configure avast sounds.

[4me2play]

  YIPPEE!!!  Success!!!

I cleared McAfee using their uninstaller, as you had instructed. I did that a couple of times, actually... Still no joy, Outlook wouldn't load... So, I unloaded Avast... still no joy.

Finally, I went to Outlook and reset the navpane. That worked!!! Yippee!

So, I reinstalled Avast... and, now everything is working!!  I am happy, happy!!

Thank you for your excellent guidance.

---> Dave

[Lisandro]

Thank you for your excellent guidance.

You're welcome. Feel free to come back any time you need help or just to change experiences

[jgcrews]

Just a quick comment --

Most likely neither McAfee nor avast! caused the issue with Outlook failing to start properly.  I've experienced that same message (using both 2003 and 2007) a few times over the years and have also seen it on friends' PCs.

The "/resetnavpane" switch always does the trick so keep that in mind.