Outlook can be started from the command line simply by typing Outlook.exe. There are many command line switches that can be used to perform specific tasks, or open Outlook to specific windows.

Many of these command line switches can be very useful in performing everyday tasks more effeciently. Here are my top 10 Outlook command line switches in no particular order.

• /sniff - Locates and new appointments in your inbox and adds them to your calendar.
• /profile profilename - Loads Outlook with the specified profile. /cleanreminders - Dismisses any old reminders to prevent them from reappearing.
• /rpcdiag - Displays RPC connection status, very useful when troubleshooting RPC over HTTPs issues.
• /cleanviews - Restores the Outlook views to default which is very useful when a user has customized the menus and is now lost.
• /nocustomize - Simlar to /cleanviews, but only resets the view to default for the current instance.
• /nopreview - Opens Outlook with all preview panes closed. This is handy when you suspect the Inbox contains a virus.
• /cleanrules - Removes all client-side and server-side rules for the mail profile.
• /checkclient - Checks if Outlook is the default mail/contacts/calendar client and prompts you if it is not.

Now I did say top 10, but number 10 performs multiple functions. The /safe switch can perform 5 different tasks and is very useful for troubleshooting Outlook issues.

• /safe - Opens Outlook without any add-ins, Reading Pane closed and toolbar customizations removed.
• /safe:1 - Opens Outlook with the Reading Pane turned off.
• /safe:2 - Opens Outlook normally but does not check mail at startup.
• /safe:3 - Opens Outlook with all add-ins turned off, however they will still be listed in the Add-In Manager.
• /safe:4 - Opens Outlook without loading the Outcmd.dat and *.fav file.

There are many more Outlook command line switches to make working with and troublshooting Outlook more efficient.