Troubleshooting Outlook: How to Disable ADAL, Re-add Accounts, Turn Off Add-ins, and Run SFC/DISM Codes
Disable the Authentication Directory Authentication Library or ADAL using Regedit
Occasionally, you may need to disable the Authentication Directory Authentication Library (ADAL) due to technical issues in MS Outlook. Doing this requires using the Registry Editor, commonly called 'regedit.' Please note that using the Registry Editor can lead to serious issues if not done correctly. We recommend creating a system restore point and backing up your Registry before you proceed.
- Open Registry Editor
First, press the Windows key. It will launch a search box on your screen. Type 'regedit' into the search box and hit Enter. This action will display a list of results. Click 'Registry Editor' from the search results to open it.
- Backup the Registry
Before you proceed with any changes, it's a good idea to backup the current state of your Registry. This way, you can ensure that you will be able to restore the Registry to its pre-edit state if anything goes wrong later.
- Locate the Required Section on the Registry Editor Page
Once you're in the Registry Editor, use the left-hand panel to navigate to the required section. The specific path to follow is HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Common\Identity. Copy and paste this path into the 'address bar' at the top of the Registry Editor.
- Create New DWORD (32-bit) Value
When you're on the correct page, right-click in the space on the right-hand side. A drop-down menu will appear. Scroll down to 'New' and then click 'DWORD (32-bit) Value.'
- Rename the New Value
Once you've created the new DWORD value, right-click it and select 'Rename.' Name this new value 'EnableADAL.'
- Adjust the 'EnableADAL' Value
Double-click on this newly named 'EnableADAL' value. A box will open where you can adjust this value. You should set the value to '0' (Zero).
- Save the Changes
After setting the 'EnableADAL' value to '0,' click 'OK' in the box to save the changes. This action will turn off the ADAL feature in MS Outlook.
- Restart your computer
For the changes to take effect, it's best to restart your computer. When you start up again and open MS Outlook, the ADAL feature should be disabled.
If you still encounter issues, we recommend enabling the Multi-Factor Authentication to secure your account.
Delete and re-add the mail account from the Outlook app
Some errors in Outlook may necessitate removing and re-adding your email account. In this guide, we walk you through the process step-by-step. But before you begin, please ensure you have the login credentials for the account you're about to remove: your email ID and password.
- Open the Control Panel using the Run box
Press Windows + R to open the Run box. Once the box opens, type "control" and click 'OK.' The action automatically opens the control panel.
- Reorder the Control Panel view
The default view of the Control Panel can be pretty overwhelming. Arranging the view into small icons can make it easier to locate your desired function. To do this, select the view by option at the Control Panel's top-right and choose 'Small icons.'
- Open Mail (Outlook Setup) (32-bit)
From the array of visible icons, select "Mail (Microsoft Outlook Setup) (32-bit)" and open it.
- Access Email Accounts and Select the Desired Email ID
Click the "Email Accounts..." button. A window will open, displaying all your added accounts. Select the problematic account you wish to remove and proceed by clicking on 'Remove.'
- Confirm Account Removal
You'll receive a security prompt warning you about the risks of account removal. Since you know the consequences, ignore the warning and select 'Yes' to remove the email account.
- Navigate to the Data Files tab
After removing the email account:
- Navigate to the "Data Files" tab in the Mail Setup.
- Identify and select the data file associated with the just-removed email account.
- Tap 'Delete.'
- Confirm the Deletion of the Associated Data File
You'll again see several prompts cautioning about the potential impact of deleting data files. Ignore these, confirm your intention to delete them, and proceed.
- Add the Email Account Back
Once the email account and associated data file are deleted, you can add the account back. Navigate to the "Email Accounts" option and click "New" to begin the setup process. Follow the on-screen instructions and set up the account again using your email ID and password.
Restart your Outlook to see if the problem persists. If necessary, applying these steps again can yield better results in fixing the original issue.
Turn off the add-ins in the MS Outlook
If you're experiencing problems with Microsoft Outlook, an add-in may be causing the issue. Add-ins may enhance Outlook's functionality, but they can also cause problems if they're incompatible or outdated. We will walk you through the process to disable them.
- Load the Microsoft Outlook
Begin by opening Microsoft Outlook on your computers or laptops. You can locate the Microsoft Outlook desktop shortcut or access it from the "Start" menu or applications list.
- Navigate to the "File" Menu
Once Outlook loads, navigate to the "File" menu in the top left corner of your Outlook dashboard. Click it to expand the drop-down menu.
- Open "Options"
Choose the "Options" button from the drop-down menu – usually located towards the end of the list. Clicking this option will open the "Outlook Options" window.
- Access the "Add-ins" tab
In the "Outlook Options" window, you will see a series of tabs in the left-hand panel. Find and click on the one labeled "Add-ins."
- Set to "COM Add-ins" and Click "Go"
At the bottom of the "Add-ins" page, you will see a drop-down menu next to the word "Manage". Click this menu and set it to "COM Add-ins," then click the "Go" button.
- Uncheck All Add-ins in the Box
Navigate to the check boxes next to the listed add-ins in the "COM Add-ins" box. Uncheck all of these boxes to disable each add-in one by one.
- Confirm Changes and Restart Outlook
Once you've unchecked all the boxes, click "OK" to close the dialogue box and confirm your changes. Upon saving these settings, restart Microsoft Outlook for the changes to take effect.
If you find that your issue has been resolved, you can try enabling your add-ins one at a time to identify which one was causing the problem. After identifying the problem, you can keep it disabled or update it to prevent future issues.
Run the SFC, DISM codes
If you are experiencing complications with your system, particularly with the Microsoft Trusted Platform Module (TPM), running System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) scans can be helpful. These built-in command-line tools check for and repair system file corruption, ensuring your system is running smoothly.
- Open the Command Prompt
Begin by going to the search box located in the Taskbar of your system. Type 'cmd' and press Enter. This action will show the 'Command Prompt' in your search results.
- Run as Administrator
Right-click on 'Command Prompt' from these search results. A drop-down menu will appear. Select 'Run as administrator' to launch the Command Prompt with administrative privileges. Running the command prompt as an administrator ensures you have the necessary rights and permissions to perform system-level commands.
- Enter System File Checker (SFC) Scan Code
In the Command Prompt window, copy and paste the following command code, which will initiate the SFC scan:
sfc /scannow
Press Enter to execute the command. The scan will start, and it may take a while to complete – it's crucial not to interrupt it. A percentage will indicate the scan progress; wait until it reaches 100%.
- Enter Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) Code
After the SFC scan completes, copy and paste the following command to run the DISM scan:
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Press Enter to perform the command. As with the SFC scan, the DISM scan may take some time, and it's vital not to interrupt it. Wait until the process is finished before proceeding.
- Close the Command Prompt and Restart
Once both scans have been completed successfully, you can close the Command Prompt window. To do this, type 'exit' and press Enter, or click on the 'X' at the window's top-right corner. Finally, restart your computer. The implemented changes will take effect after this reboot.
Running these scans can help ensure the integrity of your system files and correct any errors found. Remember, should you continue to experience issues, you may need further technical assistance.