Command line switches for Outlook 365, 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, and previous

Outlook comes with lots of command line switches and parameters which can be very handy for troubleshooting and (limited) automation.

This guide contains an overview of all available command line switches per Outlook version and how they can be used.

• Using command line switches
• Creating shortcuts with command line switches
• Command line switches overview

Using command line switches

You can directly execute command line switches in the following way:

1. Open the Run command by pressing the Windows Logo + R on your keyboard.
   Alternative ways are: 
• Windows 7
  Open the Start Menu and use the Search field to type in for the next step.
• Windows 8
  Open the Start Screen and directly start typing. This will automatically open the Search Pane which also allows for commands.
• Windows 10
  Type in the Search field (Cortana) or open the Start Menu and directly start typing. This will automatically open the Search Pane which also allows for commands.
• Windows 11
  Open the Start Menu and directly start typing. This will automatically open the Search Pane which also allows for commands.
2. In the box you opened in step 1, type; outlook.exe
3. Press the SPACEBAR once, and then type a forward slash mark (/) followed by the switch you want to use (see the list below). For example, if you want to use the CleanReminders switch, the command you type in the Open box should look like this:
   outlook.exe /cleanreminders
4. To run the command, click OK or press ENTER.

Starting Outlook with the cleanreminders switch in Windows 7.
(note the space in the command above).

Starting Outlook with the cleanreminders switch in Windows 10.

Creating custom shortcuts with command line switches

You can also create a shortcut which includes one or more switches so you can automate tasks or start Outlook in a certain folder like the Calendar;

1. Search for the location of outlook.exe:
   • Windows 7
     Open the Start Menu and in the Search field type: outlook.exe
   • Windows 8, Windows 10, and Windows 11
     Open the Start Screen and directly type: outlook.exe
   • All Windows versions
     You can also browse to the path of outlook.exe.
     Examples:
     • Outlook 2010 on a 32-bit version of Windows
       C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office14\Outlook.exe
     • Outlook 2013 32-bit on a 64-bit version of Windows
       C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office15\Outlook.exe
     • Outlook of Office 365 on any version of WindowsC:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\office16\Outlook.exe
2. Right-click on Outlook.exe, and then on the shortcut menu point to Send To, and then click Desktop (create shortcut).
   • Windows 8, Windows 10, and Windows 11
     Right click on the outlook.exe search result and choose “Open File Location”. This will open a new Explorer window with outlook.exe highlighted. Right click on this file and choose: Send To-> Desktop (create shortcut).
3. Go to the Desktop (keyboard shortcut Windows+D).
4. Right-click the shortcut you just created, and from the shortcut menu click Properties.
5. On the Shortcut tab, locate the Target box. It contains the path for outlook.exe.
6. Press the SPACEBAR once to type a space after the path, and then type;
   /select outlook:calendar
   The full command should now look like this;
   "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\office16\Outlook.exe" /select outlook:calendar
7. Click OK.
8. On the desktop, double-click the Outlook shortcut you created.

Creating a custom shortcut with the command line to start
Outlook in the Calendar folder (click on the image to enlarge).

Command line switches overview

The overview of commands below are taken from various local and on-line help files of all Outlook versions and from KB articles discussing them. In the right column you’ll find to which Outlook version the command applies.