Ian FitzGerald

I figured out what my problem was, and I figured I'd post in hopes that someone else might be saved from hours of frustration. A few days after I started having this problem with Outlook I noticed than when I was trying to shut down my computer I'd always have to "End Task" on windowsSearch.exe (or something similar... I can't remember the exact name) or the computer would never shut down. Then I remembered that Outlook had prompted me to install a Windows Desktop Search add-in so that it could index all of my e-mails so that I could find things faster. I went to Tools->Trust Center and went to the Add-Ins tab. Sure enough, Windows Search Email Indexer was listed as an add-in. So, I went to Add/Remove Programs from the control panel and uninstalled Windows Desktop Search (it will give you a list of the programs that were installed after Windows Desktop Search, and says that removing it may stop them from functioning, but I think it's more of a scare tactic to keep it installed than anything else - besides, you'll be reinstalling Windows Desktop Search anyway.) I rebooted, then reinstalled Windows Desktop Search when Outlook prompted me again. Voila! It works!

Hi, I am having this exact same problem. I am using Outlook 2007 with Business Contact Manager on Windows XP Professional. I have tried the "Office Diagnostics" and it identified and supposedly fixed a problem with installation package 16, but it didn't fix my problem. I have all of the latest Office and Windows updates. It can start in safe mode with no problem, and there are no items listed under Help->Disabled Items. If anyone could help us with this very frustrating problem I'd be very grateful!