Is your sturdy Classic Outlook suddenly in a tantrum, crashing every time you try to open or create an email? You are not imagining. A nasty bug, probably brought with the recent June 2025 Office updates, has been going around demeaning users’ Outlook and killing productivity altogether.
But perhaps everyone is being too hasty. Microsoft has indeed posted updates, including a workaround to help affected people; maybe they don’t want everybody to die?
Ready to resolve by overshadowing those annoying crashes and resume your email for operation? Follow the steps illustrated below to remedy those crashes of Classic Outlook.
Why is Classic Outlook Crashing?
User beware! The infamous crashes? Unlike all the usual things blamed for this, the cursor points squarely at an insidious bug lying scattered amongst the June 2025 security updates for Microsoft Office. The demon targets the Forms Library alone, shutting down Microsoft Outlook, which cannot access this important component. The door’s locked; Outlook has been left out in the cold.
Trying to straighten out Microsoft 365 after a recent update? If you have upgraded to Version 2504 (or thereabouts), especially on a VDI, you’re not alone. More and more users are experiencing problems.
Microsoft has also confirmed this issue and is presently investigating. Hence, you can expect a permanent fix soon.
Searching for that main antagonist behind crashing Outlook? That would be the Application Log under the Event Viewer in Windows. The log should show application fault entries, such as: “Uh oh! OUTLOOK.EXE stumbled (version 16.0.14334.20090), leaving a timestamp of 0x683fe030 as its digital footprint.” Such clues reveal precisely the moment something went awry in Outlook.
Should you face other issues, you can check out our guide on common Outlook issues and solutions for more tips.
Workaround to Fix Outlook Crashes
Pending the permanent fix or patch, Microsoft has urged users to manually create a FORMS2 folder as a temporary fix:
Are Office apps eating into your precious memory? Slam the brakes on them all, etc. Now, conjure the magic Run box. You may want to hit thatWindows+Rshortcut or get into the Start menu and seek out the Run command.
Input the following and clickEnter:%localappdata%\Microsoft. This opens where Microsoft storesapp data.
In the folder, right-click, selectNew ->Folder, and name itFORMS2.
After this, close Outlook and reopen to see that the crashes are gone.
This workaround tricks Outlook into bypassing the buggy Forms Library, hence fixing Classic Outlook crashes for most users.
Note: Always back up important data before you start any data-related fixes to prevent Outlook data file errors.
Other Options to Consider If the Issue Persists
Crash like a meteor, the Outlook? Before resigning yourself to email oblivion, try this: Go to your Account Settings and look for “Cached Exchange Mode Settings,” then untick “Download Shared Folders.” It may just be the clutch that keeps Outlook going!
In the meantime, keep your productivity humming by switching to the New Outlook app or Outlook web.
Be one step ahead in the race! Perhaps the solution to the issue may appear in an Office update any time now. In the nick of time for its arrival, jump into Outlook and go toFile >Office Account >Update Optionsand then the shiningUpdate Nowbutton!
You should also check Microsoft’s support page for more troubleshooting tips for Outlook crashes.
Outlook giving you tantrums again? Before you through your computer out the window, give these quick fixes for a classic crash a try. We are promising that Microsoft will come up with a patch for this bug soon, but meanwhile, try these steps and let us know via comments if they worked for you! Still struggling with Outlook? This might just prove to be your saving grace: [link to guide on fixing Outlook].
Thanks for reading How to Fix Classic Outlook Crashes When Opening or Starting Emails
