I have been using various versions of Exchange and Outlook over the past 10 - 15 years. Until recently I have been using POP3 and SMTP as incoming and outgoing servers through my ISP and have had little or no problems configuring both. I obtained a new domain and added an email address, all worked fine with POP3 and SMTP. I have 3 devices on which I can receive mail, a laptop, a smart phone and a small notepad. When I set up the mail client on the two mobile devices I set them so they would leave mail on the server utilizing POP3/SMTP. While the mobile devices left mail on the server, the laptop configuration was set to pull mail from the server, which, again, worked just fine for me.
Then one of my computer friends suggested I try IMAP for my new account as I have 3 devices, and can receive mail on any one of the three and he says they would sync with each other. I was a bit nervous but though what the heck, what's the worst that could happen. Using the settings provided by my ISP I set up IMAP on my laptop. I verified the settings, checked the other email addresses and downloaded any and all mail. The server gave me what I asked for. I reviewed the mail, sorted it, and deleted the junk mail. OK, time to exit Outlook and restart the application..... Disaster struck!
When I open Outlook it hangs on the "Loading Profile" screen. I've tried to open it in Safe Mode and the same thing happens. I have uninstalled the entire office suite, ran a defrag utility and reinstalled Office, the same result happens, hangs at the "Loading Profile", I am unable to get into Outlook at all to change any of the settings or return to POP3/SMTP and resolve this issue.
Until I set up IMAP as the client for my new domain everything worked. utilizing POP3/SMTP. However, now that I setup IMAP I am unable to receive or send/reply to mail on the laptop using any of my email accounts other that ones unassociated with Outlook.
I am able to receive mail on both the smart phone and notepad but, I don't have access to my address book and can't send new email.
With all of the above in mind, how do I get into Outlook and reset all of the accounts so they once again work properly? Is there a related file or dll that maintains the user profile that can be deleted without putting all of Outlook in jeopardy?
Thank You
Jim