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Failed to launch Outlook

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Posted on by CG-13060857-0

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I have a Cloud flow running a desktop flow that is to open outlook create an email and send the email however about 30% of the time it fails to launch outlook and I can't figure out why.

I have added into the flow a termiate process OUTLOOK.EXE before it tries to launch in case it is already running and that might mess it up but still on the odd few occasions it fails with the exact same error.

It is running the outlook classic. Here is the error. Any help would be apreciated.

Kind Regards,

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Power Automate Desktop

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eetuRobo 4,522 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at

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Can you paste the error here since your Flow Error.txt file doesn't seem to load.

Is the flow attended or unattended run? If its unattended check the screenshot of the failed run to see if there is some popup that might make the outlook opening fail. Usually when ever I open the old Outlook it gives annoying reminder popup for meetings that have already been days or weeks ago. Maybe that blocks the outlook instance or something similar.

I advise using the Office 365 Outlook premium -actions if you have premium license. Or if your desktop flow only does the email sending then consider not using Power Automate Desktop flow at all but only Cloud flow since that would make the flow more reliable. But of course if you need to do something more with the desktop flow than just sending the email or if there is some local files you need to send then I understand why that wouldn't be an option.

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Riyaz_riz11 4,122 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at

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Hi,

1. Terminate Outlook (safely)

Terminate process: OUTLOOK.EXE

Good to leave this in, but add a 1–2 second delay afterward to allow system cleanup.

2. Launch Outlook with Retry Logic

Instead of a simple Launch Outlook, use a loop with error handling:

Repeat 1 to 3 times: Try: Launch Outlook (or Launch Application: OUTLOOK.EXE) Wait 3 seconds Check if Outlook window is open (or use 'Wait for window' action) Exit loop if successful Catch: Delay 5 seconds

You can implement this with:

Loop (Repeat x times)

Try/Catch

Wait for window (Window title: "Inbox" or "Outlook")

If window exists condition

3. Activate Outlook Window

Use this after launching:

Focus Window: Outlook

or

Activate Window: Title contains 'Inbox'

4. Add Logging and Error Notification

Log message on success/failure

Optionally, use a notification (email/log file/Teams alert) if Outlook fails even after retries

5. Ensure Outlook Profile Loads

Some environments (like RDP/VMs) load Outlook profile slowly. Add:

Wait for window: title contains "Inbox" (timeout: 30 seconds)

If I have answered your question, please mark it as the preferred solution ✅ . If you like my response, please give it a Thumbs Up 👍. Regards, Riyaz

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