How to Fix Outlook Opening in Browser Instead of Desktop App

If your New Outlook starts in a browser tab rather than opening in a desktop window, leaving only a tiny envelope icon or “stub” window, you’re not alone. This is a common issue caused by local cache corruption, authentication token problems, or misconfigured shortcuts. Fortunately, several reliable fixes exist to restore the proper native desktop experience.

1. Clear the OLK Cache to Restore Native Launch

The New Outlook app stores a local cache, including an embedded web view. Corruption here can force the app to open in a browser. Clearing the cache does not delete email or calendars—it rebuilds automatically on next launch.

Steps:

1- Close New Outlook and all web browsers. Also close the small envelope/stub window if visible.

2- Open File Explorer and enter: %localappdata%\Microsoft\Olk Press Enter.

3- Delete the entire Olk folder. Alternatively, remove subfolders like cache, EBWebView, Feedback, and logs.

4- Launch New Outlook from Start. Sign in if prompted. The app should now open in its own desktop window.

2. Re-authorize New Outlook by Resetting OneAuth

If clearing the OLK cache doesn’t resolve the browser redirect, resetting the local authentication tokens often fixes the issue.

Steps:

1- Close New Outlook and all browsers.

2- Open File Explorer and navigate to: %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneAuth

3- Delete the OneAuth folder. This signs you out locally; your email profiles remain on the server.

4- Open New Outlook and sign in again, completing any MFA prompts. Verify that it launches natively.

3. Repair or Reset New Outlook via Windows Settings

Windows offers built-in tools to repair or reset apps without reinstalling.

Steps:

1- Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps, locate Outlook, and select Advanced options.

2- Click Repair. Test New Outlook after completion.

3- If issues persist, select Reset. You’ll need to sign in again and re-add accounts.

4- If necessary, uninstall and reinstall New Outlook from the Microsoft Store. Launch immediately after install to test.

4. Fix Shortcuts That Open Outlook in a Browser

Sometimes taskbar or Start menu shortcuts are misconfigured, pointing to Outlook on the web.

Steps:

1. Unpin all Outlook icons from the taskbar.
2. Press the Windows key and type Outlook. Right-click Outlook (New) and choose Pin to taskbar.
3. For Classic Outlook: right-click the Start menu entry, select Open file location, then repeat. Right-click the executable and Pin to taskbar.

This ensures shortcuts target the correct desktop executable.

5. Check Windows Default Apps and Protocols

Incorrect protocol/file associations can redirect Outlook to a browser.

Steps:

1- Open Settings > Apps > Default apps.

2- Search for MAILTO and set it to Outlook (New or Classic).

3- Ensure Outlook is the default for email-related file types like .eml, .msg, and calendar files such as .ics.

6. Classic Outlook Opening a Browser Window

In environments where Outlook on the web (OWA) is disabled, Classic Outlook may launch a browser. Ensure Office updates are applied:

1. Update Microsoft 365 Apps fully and restart Outlook.
2. If OWA is blocked by policy, coordinate with your IT admin to adjust Exchange and client settings.

7. Recurring Browser Redirects After Restart

If the issue returns, it usually indicates a cache/auth problem, shortcut error, or a conflict with embedded web components.

Steps:

1. Repeat OLK cache clearing and relaunch twice.
2. Reset OneAuth and sign in again.
3. Ensure the embedded web runtime isn’t blocked by security software; coordinate with IT for runtime updates.
4. As a last resort, fully uninstall and reinstall New Outlook, then recreate the taskbar shortcut.

How OLK and OneAuth Work

• OLK cache: Stores local UI and embedded web data. Deleting it forces Outlook to rebuild these files.
• OneAuth: Contains local authentication tokens. Removing it forces a fresh sign-in.

Your emails, calendars, and server-side data remain intact throughout this process.

Temporary Workarounds

• Use Classic Outlook for immediate native access while troubleshooting.
• If Classic Outlook is impacted by policies, use Outlook on the web temporarily.

Conclusion

Most New Outlook browser launch issues are resolved by clearing OLK, resetting OneAuth, and repairing shortcuts. Following these steps restores the desktop client experience without data loss. For recurring problems, app repair, reset, or reinstall usually ensures stability.