Can't reduce outlook mail window

The frustration of a stuck window!

There are a few possible reasons why the Outlook mail window might not be reducing in size. Here are some troubleshooting steps to help you resolve the issue:

  1. Check if the window is maximized: Make sure the Outlook mail window is not maximized. If it is, try clicking the maximize button (usually represented by two arrows pointing outward) to restore it to its normal size.
  2. Check for any add-ins: Some add-ins might be interfering with the window's behavior. Try disabling any recently installed add-ins to see if it resolves the issue. You can do this by going to File > Options > Add-ins, and then disabling any add-ins that you suspect might be causing the problem.
  3. Reset Outlook's window settings: Outlook stores its window settings in a file called "outlook.exe.config". You can try resetting this file to its default settings. To do this, follow these steps:
    • Close Outlook.
    • Go to the folder where Outlook is installed (usually "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Root\Office16" for Office 2016).
    • Look for the file "outlook.exe.config" and delete it.
    • Restart Outlook.
  4. Check for any conflicts with other applications: Sometimes, another application might be interfering with Outlook's window behavior. Try closing any other applications that you suspect might be causing the problem, and then try reducing the Outlook window again.
  5. Update Outlook: Make sure you're running the latest version of Outlook. You can check for updates by going to File > Office Account > Update Options > Update Now.
  6. Reset Outlook's settings: If none of the above steps work, you can try resetting Outlook's settings to their default values. To do this, follow these steps:
    • Close Outlook.
    • Go to the folder where Outlook is installed (usually "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Root\Office16" for Office 2016).
    • Look for the file "outlook.exe.config" and delete it.
    • Go to the "AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook" folder and delete the "outlook.ini" file.
    • Restart Outlook.

If none of these steps resolve the issue, you may want to try seeking assistance from Microsoft Support or a professional IT consultant.