Error starting Outlook: "Cannot start Microsoft Office Outlook. Cannot open the Outlook window."

When you start Outlook 2007, you receive the following error:

Cannot start Microsoft Office Outlook. Cannot open the Outlook window.

Cause

This problem can occur when file that maintains the Navigation Pane settings becomes corrupted. This file is calledprofilename.xml, where profilename is the name of your Outlook profile. This file is stored in the following folder:

• Windows XP
  
  C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook
• Windows Vista, Windows 7
  
  C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Outlook

A good indication this file is corrupted is when the file size is 0 KB.
Resolution

To resolve this problem, use the following steps.

1. On the Start menu click Run.
2. In the Run dialog box, type the following command:
   
   Outlook.exe /resetnavpane
   
   Note: There is a space between "Outlook.exe" and "/resetnavpane"
3. Click OK.

Note If you are using Windows Vista or Windows 7, you may not see Run on the Start menu. In this situation, use the following steps to locate the Run option.

1. On the Start menu click All Programs.
2. Click Accessories.
3. Click Run.

or use Microsoft Fix it here