OL97: Error Message: Outlook.exe Is Not a Valid Win32 Application (258794)

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, you must rename the Outlook.exe file, remove Outlook, and then reinstall Outlook:

Rename the Outlook.exe File

1. Click the Start button, point to Find, and then click Files or Folders.
2. Type outlook.exe.
3. Click the letter for your hard disk, click to select the Include subfolders check box, and then click Find Now.
4. When the file has been found, right-click the file name, and then click Rename.
5. Rename the file to "Outlook.old."
6. If you receive a prompt with a warning message, click Yes.

Remove and Reinstall Outlook

1. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2. In Control Panel, double-click Add/Remove Programs.
3. On the Install/Uninstall tab, click either Microsoft Office 97 or Microsoft Outlook 97, and then click Add/Remove.
4. In the Setup Maintenance Program dialog box, click Add/Remove, and then click to clear the Outlook check box.
5. Click Continue to remove only Outlook components.
6. When prompted if you want to remove the shared Windows Messaging component, click Keep to keep these components.
   
   When the remove procedure finishes, you may need to restart your computer.
7. Click the Setup.exe file from your Office 97 or Outlook 97 compact disk to reinstall Outlook.