Microsoft Outlook 365 is a powerful email client used by millions of individuals and businesses worldwide. Still, like any software, it may encounter issues and throws up error messages occasionally, without any specific reason. Resetting Outlook 365 can help resolve issues, such as corruption, performance issues, or unexpected behavior.
However, not every time you can reset the account and combat the corruption issues. Thus, you can choose other alternatives like Convert OST into PST file format, repairing Outlook using an inbox repair tool, and rebuilding the Outlook profile. In this blog post, we will provide a detailed guide on how to reset Microsoft Outlook 365 to its default settings along with the reasons why you may need it.
How to Reset Outlook Account to default settings in Windows 10?
Resetting Outlook’s default setting is not a time-consuming process and you do not need any expertise to perform the process:
Step 1: Close Outlook 365 Before proceeding with the reset process, it’s crucial to ensure that Microsoft Outlook 365 is completely closed. Close any open Outlook windows or processes running in the background.
Step 2: Open the Control Panel
Navigate to the Control Panel on your Windows computer. You can access the Control Panel by searching for it in the Start menu or by pressing the Windows key + X and selecting “Control Panel” from the menu.
Step 3: Access Mail Settings Within the Control Panel, locate the “Mail” icon and double-click on it to open the Mail Setup – Outlook window. This window allows you to configure Outlook profiles and email accounts.
Step 4: Show Profiles in the Mail Setup – Open MS Outlook window, click on the “Show Profiles” button. This will display a list of all Outlook profiles configured on your computer.
Step 5: Create a New Profile. If you prefer to keep your existing Outlook profile intact, you can choose to create a new profile before resetting Outlook to default settings. Click on the “Add” button to create a new profile and follow the on-screen instructions to set it up.
Step 6: Remove Existing Profile. If you decide to start fresh with a new profile, you can delete your existing Outlook profile. Select the profile you wish to remove from the list and click on the “Remove” button. Follow the prompts to confirm the deletion.
Step 7: Set Default Profile. If you have multiple Outlook profiles configured on your computer, you can set a default profile that Outlook will use by default. Select the desired profile from the list and click on the “Set as Default” button.
Step 8: Close the Control Panel. Once you have made the necessary changes to Outlook profiles, click on the “OK” button to close the Mail Setup – Outlook window. You can then close the Control Panel.
Step 9: Launch Outlook. After resetting Outlook to default settings, launch the application to verify that the changes have taken effect. Outlook will prompt you to set up a new profile or select an existing one, depending on the actions you performed earlier.
Step 10: Test Outlook Functionality Once Outlook is open, test its functionality to ensure that it is working correctly. Send and receive emails, manage contacts, and check calendar appointments to confirm that Outlook is functioning as expected.
Why do you Need to Reset the Outlook Default Setting?
The malfunctioning of MS Outlook is the primary basis for resetting Outlook to its default setting. However, it may be necessary for several other reasons, as listed below:
Corruption or Errors: Over time, Outlook’s configuration files or data may become corrupted, leading to OST file errors or unexpected behavior. Resetting to default settings can help resolve these issues by creating a fresh, error-free configuration.
Performance Issues: If Outlook is running slowly or experiencing performance issues, resetting to default settings can often improve performance. This removes any unnecessary customizations or configurations that may be contributing to the slowdown.
Configuration Errors: Incorrect configuration settings, such as misconfigured email accounts or profiles, can cause problems with sending and receiving emails, syncing calendars, or accessing contacts. Resetting to default settings ensures that all configurations are set to their original, default values, which can help resolve these issues.
Security Concerns: In some cases, Outlook may become compromised due to security breaches or malware attacks. Resetting to default settings can help eliminate any malicious configurations or settings that may have been added by attackers, restoring the application to a secure state.
User Preferences: Sometimes, users may inadvertently change settings or configurations in Outlook that they later wish to revert. Resetting to default settings allows users to return Outlook to its original configuration, eliminating any unwanted changes.
Resetting Microsoft Outlook 365 to its default settings can help resolve various issues and ensure optimal performance. However, remember to back up any important data before making changes to Outlook profiles. However, if you do not want to reset the default settings then simply recreate the Outlook profile or try using the inbox repair tool to fix minor issues.
Conclusion: Resetting Microsoft Outlook 365 to its default settings can be a troubleshooting step to resolve various issues related to corruption, performance, configuration errors, security, or user preferences. It provides a clean slate for the application, allowing users to start fresh and potentially resolve any issues they may be experiencing.
