Help and Support
 

powered byLive Search

You cannot use the /select switch to start Outlook 2003

Article ID:823923
Last Review:January 6, 2006
Revision:1.4

SYMPTOMS

When you try to use various command-line switches to start Microsoft Office Outlook 2003, you may receive the following error message:
Cannot start Microsoft Office Outlook. The command line argument is not valid. Verify the switch you are using.
For example, you may receive this error if you try to start Outlook 2003 by using the following command-line switch:
Outlook.exe /select outlook:calendar /recycle

Back to the top

CAUSE

This problem occurs because of a security enhancement that helps to prevent potential attackers from passing command-line arguments.

Back to the top

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, do not use the /select command-line switch. For example, replace the command-line switch in the "Symptoms" section of this article with the following command-line switch:

Outlook.exe /recycle outlook:calendar

By default, any switches that are on the command line after all recognized parameters have been processed are processed as /select switches.

Back to the top

STATUS

This behavior is expected in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

Back to the top


APPLIES TO
Microsoft Office Standard Edition 2003
Microsoft Office Outlook 2003

Back to the top

Keywords: 
kberrmsg kbstartprogram kbsetup kbprb kbnofix KB823923

Back to the top

Article Translations

 

Related Support Centers

Other Support Options

  • Need More Help?
    Contact a Support professional by Email, Online or Phone.
  • Customer Service
    For non-technical assistance with product purchases, subscriptions, online services, events, training courses, corporate sales, piracy issues, and more.
  • Newsgroups
    Pose a question to other users. Discussion groups and Forums about specific Microsoft products, technologies, and services.