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Win 11 Microsoft 365 Outlook classic cannot open

J

Julian

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Nov 7, 2025
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Hello, I have a problem with Win 11 Microsoft 365 Outlook (classic) cannot open loading profile.

I have switched on and off restarted but no luck it hangs as you can see the photo.

I am therefore unable to open outlook classic version.

Please help.
Microsoft Outlook (Microsoft 365) loading profile splash displayed on a Windows 11 desktop.


Thank you!
 

Last edited by a moderator:
Julian — that “Loading Profile” hang is a common Outlook (classic) issue and is usually caused by a bad add‑in, a corrupted Outlook profile, or a damaged OST cache file. The good news: your emails are usually still safe on the mail server, and we can fix this without deleting your data.
Below are the safest steps in order (stop when one works).

Step 1: Fully close Outlook (important)​

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc (Task Manager)
  2. End task for:
    • Microsoft Outlook
    • OUTLOOK.EXE
  3. Also end Microsoft Teams (sometimes interferes) and OneDrive temporarily (optional test).
Then try Outlook again once.

Step 2: Start Outlook in Safe Mode (disables add-ins)​

  1. Press Win + R
  2. Type:
    outlook.exe /safe
  3. Press Enter.

If Outlook opens in Safe Mode​

Then it’s almost certainly an add-in:
  1. File → Options → Add-ins
  2. At the bottom: Manage: COM Add-ins → Go
  3. Uncheck all add-ins → OK
  4. Close Outlook and open normally.

Step 3: Reset the Navigation Pane​

  1. Win + R
  2. Run:
    outlook.exe /resetnavpane
Then try opening Outlook normally.

Step 4: Create a NEW Outlook Profile (most reliable fix)​

This does not delete your emails. It simply makes a fresh profile.
  1. Close Outlook.
  2. Open Control Panel (Start menu → type Control Panel)
  3. Go to Mail (Microsoft Outlook)
    (Sometimes shown as Mail or Mail (32-bit))
  4. Click Show Profiles
  5. Click Add… → name it (example: OutlookNew)
  6. Add your email account(s)
  7. Select Always use this profile → choose OutlookNew
  8. Open Outlook.
If this works, you can later remove the old profile from Show Profiles.

Step 5: Rebuild the OST cache (safe for IMAP/Exchange accounts)​

Only do this for .OST files (cache files). Do NOT delete your .PST (your PST is your local mailbox/archive).
  1. Close Outlook.
  2. Go to this folder in File Explorer (copy/paste into the address bar):
    %localappdata%\Microsoft\Outlook
  3. You’ll see one or more .ost files.
  4. Rename them (example: add .old at the end), then start Outlook.
    • Outlook will recreate a fresh OST automatically.

Step 6: Repair Microsoft 365 (if Outlook still won’t open)​

  1. Settings → Apps → Installed apps
  2. Find Microsoft 365 → Modify
  3. Run Quick Repair first
  4. If still broken, run Online Repair (takes longer, but fixes more)

Very important (because of your earlier OneDrive/PST issue)​

Make sure your PST is still NOT in OneDrive. It should be in something like:
C:\Outlook Files\... .pst
If Outlook is trying to open a PST that’s inside OneDrive (or a folder being backed up by OneDrive), it can hang on “Loading Profile” again.

Quick questions (so I can give the exact best next step)​

  1. Does outlook.exe /safe open Outlook or does it still hang?
  2. How many email accounts do you have in Outlook (1, 2, more)?
  3. Are your accounts Outlook.com / Microsoft 365 / Gmail / IMAP?
Reply with #1 (most important) and I’ll tell you the single next step to do.
 

I reached the Safe mode but it doesn't open see
1771933719972.webp
 

Julian — your screenshot shows Outlook still hanging at “Loading Profile” and then popping this error:
“The time limit for logging on was reached while waiting for system resources. Try again.
MAPI 1.0 [000004C2]”
Because it happens even in Safe Mode, this is usually not an add-in. It’s most often a corrupt Outlook profile / OST cache / PST problem, or Outlook is getting stuck trying to open a data file at startup.
Do these steps in order (they’re safe). Stop when Outlook opens.

1) Force-close Outlook completely​

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc (Task Manager)
  2. End task:
    • Microsoft Outlook
    • OUTLOOK.EXE
  3. Also end OneDrive.exe (temporary test)

2) Create a NEW Outlook profile (most reliable fix for Loading Profile)​

This does not delete email from the server.
  1. Close Outlook.
  2. Open Control Panel (Start → type Control Panel)
  3. Set View by: Large icons
  4. Open Mail (Microsoft Outlook) / Mail
  5. Click Show Profiles
  6. Click Add… → name it Test
  7. Add your email account and finish
  8. Choose Always use this profile → select Test
  9. Open Outlook

Important​

When the new profile is created, do NOT add your old PST immediately. First confirm Outlook opens cleanly.

3) Rebuild the OST cache (fixes many MAPI/profile timeouts)​

(OST files are just local caches; they are recreated automatically.)
  1. Close Outlook.
  2. In File Explorer address bar, paste:
    %localappdata%\Microsoft\Outlook
  3. Rename any .ost files to .ost.old
  4. Start Outlook again

4) If you use a PST (archive): test without it, then repair it​

Since you previously had a PST (…Outlook GG.pst), a damaged PST can also hang Outlook.
  • First, make sure Outlook opens without loading that PST.
  • Then run SCANPST.EXE (Inbox Repair Tool) on the PST before adding it back.
If you tell me where your PST is now (example: C:\Outlook Files\...pst) I’ll guide you to the exact repair steps.

5) If still stuck: Repair Microsoft 365​

  1. Settings → Apps → Installed apps
  2. Microsoft 365 → Modify
  3. Run Quick Repair
  4. If not fixed: Online Repair

Quick question (so I pick the right next step)​

In Outlook Data Files, do you still have a PST attached (like C:\Outlook Files\…Outlook GG.pst)?
  • Yes → we’ll test Outlook with a new profile without that PST first, then repair the PST.
  • No → we focus on profile/OST and credential sign-in issues.
Try Step 2 (new profile) first and tell me exactly what happens when you open Outlook with that new profile.
 

I really don’t understand why this has happened to outlook.

I tried your suggestion up to Step 2 but I am unable to create a new profile because my email credential is wrong! Instead, they are correct. I have three emails account:

Ggini1@tin.it always being my main email for in and or out

ggini@ngi.it

and giulianogini@outlook.com that I have never open or used. However, I also tried to create a new profile with giulianogini@outlook.com but again I don’t have the mail server parameters to input to bring to an end and test.

I therefore took my external hard disk that I weekly make Image backup and made a recovery from my last backup image that outlook was working correctly but instead the same thing happen Outlook doesn’t open same symptom.

I tried another three images backup going back from week to week and all images when loaded on the pc give me the same outlook problem that doesn’t open.

I have never ever had in the past years a problem with recover with backup images in emergency it always worked OK why with win 11 now The backup image still has the current problem?

It is very frustrating I cannot work this is a new PC with new software Microsoft 365 and I get this problem already.

What to do next? I don’t have much time available to solve this problem I need a quick way out even if I have to choose another version of outlook from the start or maybe uninstall Microsoft 365 and choose another? But I need to solve it Please help
 

Julian — I understand the frustration. The key clue is this: you restored multiple older disk images (when Outlook used to work), yet Outlook still fails in exactly the same way. That strongly suggests the cause is not your local Windows files anymore, but something that sits outside the image, for example:
  • your mail provider (tin.it / ngi.it) changed login/security requirements (very common: app-passwords / “less secure apps” disabled / IMAP settings changed), or
  • a password/account lock on the server, or
  • Office/Outlook is failing because of Windows/Office sign-in tokens / Credential Manager corruption, or
  • the PST file is damaged and Outlook hangs while opening it.
Let’s get you a quick way to work now, then fix Outlook Classic properly.

A) Quick way to work right now (5 minutes)​

While we repair Outlook Classic, use one of these so you can read/send email immediately:
1) Webmail
  • For your Outlook.com: open a browser and sign in to Outlook on the web (outlook.com).
  • For tin.it and ngi.it, use their webmail pages (whatever you normally use).
2) New Outlook for Windows
  • Open Microsoft Store → install Outlook (new).
  • It often connects more easily than Classic while Classic is broken.
This avoids downtime while we repair Classic.

B) Fix Outlook Classic “Loading Profile” + MAPI 1.0 [000004C2]​

Since Safe Mode also fails, do these in this order.

Step 1 — Remove broken saved passwords/tokens (very common fix)​

  1. Close Outlook.
  2. Open Control Panel → Credential Manager
  3. Click Windows Credentials and Generic Credentials
  4. Remove entries that mention any of these (only these related ones):
    • Outlook
    • MicrosoftOffice / Office
    • MSOID / ADAL / Identity
    • anything referencing tin.it, ngi.it, or outlook.com
  5. Reboot the PC.
  6. Try opening Outlook again.
Why this helps: Outlook can get stuck at “Loading Profile” if it keeps retrying a bad/expired cached credential.

Step 2 — Repair the PST (you can do this even if Outlook won’t open)​

Because you use a PST (…Outlook GG.pst), a damaged PST can hang Outlook at startup.
  1. Make sure Outlook is closed (Task Manager → end OUTLOOK.EXE).
  2. Run SCANPST.EXE (Inbox Repair Tool).
    • Fast way to find it: press Start and search scanpst
    • If not found, tell me and I’ll guide you to the exact folder for Microsoft 365.
  3. When scanpst opens, browse to your PST:
    • C:\Outlook Files\[email]ggini1@tin.it[/email] - Outlook GG.pst
  4. Run the repair (it may take a while on a 7+ GB file).
Then try Outlook again.

Step 3 — Office Repair (quick, then online if needed)​

  1. Settings → Apps → Installed apps
  2. Microsoft 365 → Modify
  3. Run Quick Repair
  4. If still failing: run Online Repair

Step 4 — About “credentials wrong” when creating a new profile​

This is usually not Windows being wrong—typically it means the mail server is rejecting the login.
Please answer these two questions (they’ll pinpoint it immediately):
1) Can you log into tin.it webmail using the same password you’re typing into Outlook?
  • Yes = likely Outlook needs an app password or different authentication method.
  • No = the password is wrong/expired or the account is locked.
2) Do you have 2‑step verification (2FA) enabled on tin.it or ngi.it?
  • If yes, Outlook Classic often requires an app password (regular password won’t work).
If you tell me “Yes/No” to those, I’ll tell you the exact next step.

C) One thing to send me (so I can give you the fastest correct fix)​

When you try to create the new profile and it says the credentials are wrong, what is the exact message text? (A screenshot is fine.)
Also tell me: is ggini1@tin.it set up as POP or IMAP (if you know)? If you don’t know, that’s OK.
If you do Step 1 (Credential Manager cleanup) first and report back whether Outlook starts, we can usually get this solved quickly.
 

Thank you for your response.

Mail provider has not changed anything and there is no two step verification.

I have tried by Webmail and its login in fine without any problems.

Outlook new I haven’t yet download it.

I have only found two anything referencing tin.it and have removed both

I have run SCANPST and it reported having repaired one error successfully.

Office repair I have run both quick and online.

After various steps from what you made me do somehow! I have managed to create a new profile name: Outlook Test with my main ggini1@tin.it and it ended fine, I haven’t as yet setup giulianogini@outlook.com and ggini@ngi.it this later two are not important as my Main one ggini1@tin.it happens to be extremely needed to work.

Ggini1@tin.it is POP ggini@ngi.it is IMAP

giulianogini@outlook.com I have no idea what to insert as originally don’t remember how it was setup I have no parameters so I don’t know how I will be able without the info requested but, in any case, this email isn’t much used!

Outlook keeps not opening by the task bar app, it only opens by Win+R and I select outlook test then it opens fine obviously shows empty as all my data is in the Outlook GG.

I have therefore in the win + r selected set as default the profile Outlook test but as always when I switched on again on opening the task bar app no response it hangs still doesn’t open.

I need all that is currently in my profile Outlook GG to be available on the new profile Outlook test and that the app in the task bar or in the start be able to open as normally done with all apps.

How can I proceed now please?

Thank you
1772036853843.webp

1772036881314.webp

1772036894038.webp

1772036910331.webp

1772036934941.webp
 

Julian — your screenshots explain exactly what’s happening.

What I can see from your screenshots​

1) Windows is still trying to open the old/broken profile “Outlook GG” by default, so when you click the Taskbar/Start Outlook icon it hangs on Loading profile.
2) In your new profile “Outlook Test”, the data file path is still inside OneDrive:
C:\Users\ggini\OneDrive\Documents\Outlook Files\Giuliano [email]ggini1@tin.it[/email] - Outlook Test.pst
That’s a problem for the same reason as before: OneDrive + PST = trouble.
Let’s fix both issues in the quickest, simplest way.

1) Make Outlook open the correct profile from Taskbar/Start​

Do this in Control Panel → Mail (not in the Run box):
  • Close Outlook.
  • Control Panel → Mail (Microsoft Outlook) → Show Profiles
  • Select Always use this profile
  • In the drop‑down choose: Outlook Test
  • Click Apply → OK
Now Outlook from Taskbar/Start should open “Outlook Test” automatically.

If your Taskbar icon still opens the old profile​

Unpin/repin it:
  • Right‑click the Outlook icon on the taskbar → Unpin from taskbar
  • Open Outlook once from Start, then right‑click Outlook → Pin to taskbar

2) Move the “Outlook Test.pst” OUT of OneDrive (important)​

Right now your Test PST is in OneDrive. Move it to C:\Outlook Files.
  • Close Outlook and ensure OUTLOOK.EXE is not running (Task Manager).
  • Go to this folder:
    C:\Users\ggini\OneDrive\Documents\Outlook Files
  • Cut (or Copy) this file:
    Giuliano [email]ggini1@tin.it[/email] - Outlook Test.pst
  • Paste it into:
    C:\Outlook Files
Then start Outlook.
If Outlook asks you to locate the PST, browse to C:\Outlook Files...Outlook Test.pst.
Result: OneDrive stops interfering, and Outlook becomes much more stable.

3) Get all your old mail/data back into “Outlook Test”​

Because ggini1@tin.it is POP, your mail history is stored locally in your old PST (Outlook GG.pst). You just need to attach that PST to the new profile and (optionally) make it the delivery file.

Add your old PST to the new profile​

  • In Outlook (opened as Outlook Test):
  • File → Account Settings → Account Settings → Data Files tab
  • Click Add…
  • Select your old PST (example):
    C:\Outlook Files[email]ggini1@tin.it[/email] - Outlook GG.pst
  • After it appears in the list, select it → click Set as Default (recommended for POP if that PST contains your real Inbox/Sent history)

Make sure new mail goes into the right Inbox​

  • File → Account Settings → Account Settings → Email tab
  • Select [email]ggini1@tin.it[/email] → Change Folder…
  • Choose the Inbox inside the PST you want to use (usually the “Outlook GG.pst” one).

4) Don’t worry about the Outlook.com account​

[email]giulianogini@outlook.com[/email] does not need server parameters (it should auto-configure). But since you don’t use it, it’s fine to leave it out for now.

Quick check (tell me these two things)​

1) After setting Always use this profile → Outlook Test, does Outlook now open from the taskbar?
2) After moving Outlook Test.pst out of OneDrive, does OneDrive stop showing “file in use”?
If you want, post one more screenshot of Outlook Test → Account Settings → Data Files after you add the Outlook GG.pst, and I’ll tell you exactly which PST should be set as default for your POP workflow.
 

Step 1) is ok it now opens fine from the app.
sorry i am not clear with step 2 ? cut meaning delete? and i have to go and find giuliano ggini1@tin.it outlook test.pst and copy and paste here in place of the one i have to cut delete?
 

You did Step 1 perfectly — great.

What “Cut” means​

Cut = Move, not “delete”.
  • Copy = leaves the original where it is and makes a second copy.
  • Cut = removes it from the old folder after it is pasted into the new folder (so it ends up in only one place).
  • Nothing is permanently deleted unless you later empty the Recycle Bin.
Because PST files are important, we’ll do the safe method: COPY first, confirm Outlook works, then delete the old OneDrive copy.

Step 2 (safe version): Move “Outlook Test.pst” out of OneDrive​

0) Close Outlook first (very important)​

  1. Close Outlook.
  2. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc (Task Manager)
  3. If you see OUTLOOK.EXE, click it → End task
  4. (Optional) Click the OneDrive cloud icon → Pause syncing for 2 hours.

1) Find the correct file (easy way)​

You don’t have to search manually.
  1. Open Control Panel → Mail (Microsoft Outlook)
  2. Click Data Files…
  3. Click the line that shows the OneDrive path (it will contain OneDrive)
  4. Click Open File Location…
That opens the exact folder containing your Outlook Test.pst.
You are looking for this file (the name can be long, similar to what you wrote):
Giuliano [email]ggini1@tin.it[/email] - Outlook Test.pst
(If you don’t “see .pst”, that’s OK—Windows may hide extensions. The “Type” column will say Outlook Data File.)

2) Copy it to C:\Outlook Files\​

  1. In that OneDrive folder, right‑click the file → Copy
  2. Go to: This PC → Local Disk (C:) → Outlook Files
  3. Right‑click in empty space → Paste
Wait for it to finish (it may take a little while depending on size).

3) Point Outlook Test to the new location​

Now we tell Outlook to use the PST from C:\Outlook Files\:
  1. Open Outlook
  2. File → Account Settings → Account Settings → Data Files
  3. Select the data file that still points to OneDrive
  4. Click Open File Location… (to confirm it’s the OneDrive one)
  5. If Outlook still points to the OneDrive PST, do this:
    • Click Add…
    • Choose the PST you just copied in C:\Outlook Files\
    • Set it as default if needed
    • Then remove the old OneDrive PST entry (only after confirming Outlook opens fine)
If Outlook pops up a message saying it can’t find the PST, just browse to:
C:\Outlook Files\ and select the PST.

4) Only after everything works: remove the OneDrive copy​

Once Outlook opens normally and your mail is there:
  • Go back to the OneDrive folder and delete the old Outlook Test.pst from OneDrive (or move it to a backup folder outside OneDrive).
This is what stops OneDrive errors permanently.

Quick question (so I guide you exactly)​

When you go to Outlook → Account Settings → Data Files, does the location for the Outlook Test PST still show OneDrive?
If you paste that one line (the Location path), I’ll tell you exactly what to click next (Add/Set Default/Remove) without any guesswork.
 

Yes, you can remove the old OneDrive “Outlook Files” folder and the old “Outlook GG” profile, but not quite yet—because one of your Outlook data files is still pointing to OneDrive in your screenshot.

What your screenshot shows (important)​

In Account Settings → Data Files, you currently have two PST locations:
  • Good (local): C:\Outlook Files Backup From OneDrive\[email]ggini1@tin.it[/email] - Outlook GG.pst
  • Not good (still OneDrive): C:\Users\ggini\OneDrive\Documents\Outlook Files\Giuliano [email]ggini1@tin.it[/email] - Outlook Test.pst
As long as Outlook is using a PST in OneDrive, the “Loading profile” / sync/lock problems can come back.

1) First: get the “Outlook Test.pst” OUT of OneDrive​

Do this carefully:
  1. Close Outlook (and in Task Manager end OUTLOOK.EXE if present).
  2. Go to this folder:
    C:\Users\ggini\OneDrive\Documents\Outlook Files\
  3. Find and Copy (or Move) this file:
    Giuliano [email]ggini1@tin.it[/email] - Outlook Test.pst
  4. Paste it into:
    C:\Outlook Files\
  5. Open Outlook → File → Account Settings → Account Settings → Data Files
  6. Select the data file that still shows the OneDrive path → click Remove
  7. Click Add… and add the PST from C:\Outlook Files\...Outlook Test.pst
After this, your Data Files list should contain NO OneDrive paths.

2) Then: can you delete the OneDrive Outlook folder?​

You can delete this (recommended):​

  • C:\Users\ggini\OneDrive\Documents\Outlook Files\ (the Outlook Files folder inside OneDrive)
Only after Step 1 is complete and Outlook opens normally.

Do NOT delete this:​

  • C:\Users\ggini\OneDrive\ (the whole OneDrive folder)
That is your main OneDrive sync folder (you have ~190 GB there). Deleting it can remove lots of synced files and cause a mess unless you are intentionally uninstalling/turning off OneDrive.
If you don’t want OneDrive at all, tell me and I’ll give the “proper” method (unlink PC / disable backup / uninstall), but don’t just delete the folder.

3) Can you remove the old “Outlook GG” profile?​

Yes—after 2–3 days of stable use on “Outlook Test”, or immediately if you’re confident.
Steps:
  1. Control Panel → Mail (Microsoft Outlook) → Show Profiles
  2. Confirm Always use this profile = Outlook Test
  3. Click Outlook GG → Remove
Note: Removing the profile does not delete your PST file (your Outlook GG.pst stays on disk). Still, keep your backup folder for safety.

Quick confirmation question​

In Outlook → Account Settings → Data Files, after you do Step 1, do you still see any path containing OneDrive?
If you post that updated “Data Files” screenshot, I’ll tell you “Yes, safe to delete the OneDrive Outlook Files folder now” with 100% confidence.
 

Julian — if Outlook is now opening normally after a reboot, that’s a very good sign.

1) Can you remove the OneDrive folder on C:\ ?​

Do NOT delete C:\Users\ggini\OneDrive (the main OneDrive folder).
That folder is your whole OneDrive sync storage (documents, photos, etc.). Deleting it can remove/unsync a lot of your files and create a bigger problem.

2) Can you delete the Outlook Files folder inside OneDrive?​

Yes, but only if Outlook is no longer using any PST from OneDrive.
Please do this quick check first:
  1. Open Outlook (Classic) → File → Account Settings → Account Settings
  2. Go to Data Files tab
  3. Look at the Location column:
    • If you see anything like C:\Users\ggini\OneDrive\... for a .pst, then don’t delete the OneDrive “Outlook Files” folder yet.
    • If no Data File path contains “OneDrive”, then it’s safe to delete only this folder:
      • C:\Users\ggini\OneDrive\Documents\Outlook Files\ (or whatever “Outlook Files” folder you used)
If you’re unsure, post one screenshot of Data Files and I’ll confirm “safe to delete” 100%.

3) Can you remove the old Outlook GG profile?​

Yes, once you confirm you’re happy with the new profile for a day or two.
Steps:
  1. Control Panel → Mail (Microsoft Outlook) → Show Profiles
  2. Ensure Always use this profile = Outlook Test
  3. Click Outlook GG → Remove
This removes the profile settings only. It does not automatically delete your PST file from C:\Outlook Files... (but keep your backups anyway).

Adding your other accounts (quick guidance)​

Add ggini@ngi.it (IMAP)​

Outlook usually auto-detects, but if it asks for manual settings, you’ll need the IMAP server / SMTP server / ports / SSL values from ngi.it (their help page). If you paste what it asks for, I’ll tell you exactly what to enter.

Add giulianogini@outlook.com​

This one normally needs no server parameters:
  • File → Account Settings → New
  • Enter the email + password
  • It should configure automatically.

One last important reminder​

For best stability: no PST files should live inside OneDrive. PST files should stay in something like:
  • C:\Outlook Files\...
If you tell me whether your Data Files list still shows any path containing OneDrive, I’ll tell you exactly what you can delete safely.
 

Windows C: Onedrive empty of pst files all transferred to Outlook files as you can see
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Perfect — those screenshots confirm the important part:
  • Your PST files are now local in C:\Outlook Files\ (good).
  • C:\Users\ggini\OneDrive\Documents\Outlook Files is empty (so OneDrive is no longer touching your PST).

Can you remove the OneDrive “Outlook Files” folder?​

Yes.
You can safely delete only this folder (since it’s empty now):
  • C:\Users\ggini\OneDrive\Documents\Outlook Files
That won’t affect Outlook anymore.

Should you delete the main OneDrive folder?​

No — do not delete the main folder:
  • C:\Users\ggini\OneDrive
That is your whole OneDrive storage. Deleting it can remove/unsync lots of files.
If you don’t want to use OneDrive at all, tell me and I’ll give you the proper method (unlink the PC / disable backup / uninstall OneDrive). But don’t “just delete” the OneDrive folder manually.

Can you remove the old “Outlook GG” profile now?​

Yes, if Outlook Test has been stable after a reboot (as you said).
Steps:
  1. Control Panel → Mail (Microsoft Outlook) → Show Profiles
  2. Confirm Always use this profile = Outlook Test
  3. Select Outlook GG → Remove
This removes the profile settings only. Your PST files in C:\Outlook Files\ stay on disk.

Small recommendation (safety)​

Keep C:\Outlook Files Backup From OneDrive\ for a few days (or until your next backup) — then you can delete it later if everything stays stable.
If you want, tell me whether you’d like help adding [email]ggini@ngi.it[/email] (IMAP) — if it asks for server settings, paste what Outlook asks for and I’ll tell you exactly what to enter.
 

I thought it could be simple! however here we are? i tried 3 times
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That screenshot means Outlook is failing the automatic setup / sign-in for your giulianogini@outlook.com account (it’s not a PST/OneDrive problem anymore). This usually comes down to Microsoft account sign-in tokens/credentials cached in Windows, or Outlook can’t reach Microsoft’s login services cleanly.
Also: since you said you don’t really use the Outlook.com address, you can skip adding it for now and just add ggini@ngi.it (IMAP) later. But if you want Outlook.com added, do this:

1) First confirm the account itself is OK (1 minute)​

In a web browser (Edge/Chrome), sign in here with giulianogini@outlook.com:
  • Outlook webmail (Outlook.com)
If web login works, the account is fine and the issue is local to Windows/Office sign-in.

2) Fix the most common cause: clear Microsoft/Office cached credentials​

  1. Close Outlook.
  2. Control Panel → Credential Manager
  3. Remove entries under Windows Credentials and Generic Credentials that mention:
    • MicrosoftOffice / Office
    • Outlook
    • MSOID
    • ADAL
    • Teams
    • OneAuth
  4. Restart the PC.
Then try adding the Outlook.com account again.

3) Add the Outlook.com account manually (works when auto-setup fails)​

In Outlook (Classic):
  1. File → Account Settings → Account Settings → New…
  2. When it fails and shows Something went wrong, click Change Account Settings
  3. Look for an option like Advanced / Let me set up my account manually
  4. Choose IMAP (manual fallback) and enter:
Incoming (IMAP):
Outgoing (SMTP):
  • Server: smtp-mail.outlook.com
  • Port: 587
  • Encryption: STARTTLS
  • Requires authentication: Yes
  • Username: your full email
Password: your Microsoft account password.
If your Microsoft account ever had 2FA enabled in the past, Outlook may require an app password (even if you think 2FA is off now). If the IMAP method still rejects the password, tell me and I’ll guide you through checking that.

4) If it still won’t add: add the Microsoft account to Windows first​

Sometimes Outlook won’t add an Outlook.com account until Windows itself can sign in cleanly:
  1. Settings → Accounts → Email & accounts
  2. Under “Accounts used by email, calendar, and contacts” click Add account
  3. Add Microsoft account and sign in
  4. Reboot, then try adding it in Outlook again

5) Quick environmental checks (surprisingly common)​

Before retrying:
  • Make sure Date/Time is correct: Settings → Time & language → Date & time → Set time automatically
  • Temporarily disable VPN/Proxy (if you use one)
  • If you have third‑party antivirus/firewall, temporarily pause it while you add the account.

About ggini@ngi.it (IMAP)​

To add this one reliably, you will need the provider’s IMAP/SMTP server names + ports (from ngi.it support page). If you paste what Outlook asks for (or a screenshot of the “manual setup” screen), I’ll tell you exactly what to enter.

Two quick questions (so I give the fastest next step)​

1) Can you sign into giulianogini@outlook.com via webmail in the browser right now? (Yes/No)
2) When Outlook setup fails, does it ask for a password and then reject it, or does it fail before it even asks?
Reply with those two answers and we’ll finish this quickly.
 

I signed in Outlook.com by edge OK no problem . when i insert my email addr
1772046907386.webp
ess and press connect the following in photo appear. but first try on edge OK
 

Signing in on the web with Edge proves the account and password are OK. So this is an Outlook (classic) setup/sign-in wizard issue on the PC (usually cached Microsoft sign-in components, or the auto-setup path is failing).
In the window you showed (email box + Advanced options), do this:

Option A (recommended): Force “manual setup” to bypass auto-detect​

  1. In that Outlook window, click Advanced options (the small drop-down).
  2. Tick Let me set up my account manually.
  3. Click Connect.
  4. If you get a choice, pick Outlook.com / Exchange (best).
If it still fails or doesn’t offer Outlook.com, use Option B.

Option B: Add Outlook.com as IMAP (works even when the wizard is buggy)​

  1. Advanced options → tick Let me set up my account manually → Connect
  2. Choose IMAP and enter:
Incoming (IMAP)
  • Server: imap-mail.outlook.com
  • Port: 993
  • Encryption: SSL/TLS
  • Username: [email]giulianogini@outlook.com[/email]
Outgoing (SMTP)
  • Server: smtp-mail.outlook.com
  • Port: 587
  • Encryption: STARTTLS
  • SMTP authentication: On
  • Username: [email]giulianogini@outlook.com[/email]
Password: your Microsoft account password.
If the IMAP method rejects the password, it usually means IMAP is disabled on the Outlook.com mailbox, or the sign-in is being blocked by cached tokens. In that case use Option C below.
Click to expand...

Option C: Clean Microsoft/Office sign-in cache (very common fix)​

Do this once, then try Option A again:
  1. Close Outlook.
  2. Control Panel → Credential Manager
  3. Remove entries under Windows Credentials and Generic Credentials that contain:
    • MicrosoftOffice / Office
    • Outlook
    • MSOID
    • ADAL
    • OneAuth
    • Teams
  4. Restart the PC.
  5. Try adding [email]giulianogini@outlook.com[/email] again.

Quick question (so I don’t guess)​

When you click Connect on that screen, what happens next?
  • Does it ask for a password?
  • Or does it go straight to “Something went wrong”?
  • Or does nothing happen at all?
Tell me which one, and I’ll give you the exact next click-path (there are slightly different fixes depending on which of those you see).
 

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