How to Resolve Outlook Error Invalid XML File Issue – Causes and Symptoms

Outlook is an email application software by Microsoft that enables its users to send and received emails on their desktop computers. Microsoft Outlook is a part of the Microsoft Office package. The Outlook is also available as a standalone version. It is a commercial application that’s easily available worldwide. However, many active users use this application daily. That’s why, we get a lot of errors and bugs every day. Recently, an Outlook user from New York City sends their error message to our team.

New York City User Problem: – Hi, I am using Microsoft Outlook 2013 and when I am trying to open Outlook, I am getting an error message.
“Cannot Start Microsoft Outlook. Invalid XML, the view cannot be loaded”
Does anyone know how can I start Outlook again and resolve these issues ?

Also, we get a similar query from London.

London User Problem: – I am using Outlook 2010 edition as my primary email client on Windows 10. Last night I was using Outlook and then shut down my computer. The next morning, I keep getting an error message when open Outlook 2010.
“Cannot start Microsoft Office Outlook. Cannot open the Outlook window. Invalid XML, the view cannot be loaded.”
After it, I tried to re-open Outlook but, unfortunately, I couldn’t get it to work. I have lost access to my important Outlook emails, contacts, events, and calendar information. All items are valuable to me. Please help me!

Through this article post, you will get a method to solve this “Outlook invalid XML error” and will enable you to run Microsoft Outlook once again without any problem. So, keep reading this blog to know all the causes and symptoms of this Outlook invalid XML file.

How to Fix Microsoft Outlook Invalid XML Error – Quick Fix Solution

In order to resolve the Outlook invalid XML issue first, you know the current version of your Outlook. Thereafter, follow the below steps to solve Outlook error invalid XML: –

• Step-1. First to resolve Invalid XML error, Open Windows RUN utility.
• Step-2. After that, type command ‘/resetnavpane’ with Your Outlook.exe file.
• Step-3. Type “Outlook.exe /resetnavpane” in the search box.
• Step-4. Finally, click on the Ok button and restart Outlook to check.

If you are not understanding these step-by-step procedures, follow the write-up to find out the full details of resolving the invalid XML Outlook error.

In Detailed Solution – The Outlook ‘Invalid XML’ File Error Message

Outlook users experiencing an “invalid XML” error must be explicitly aware of a fact; This problem has occurred with some XML files that are associated with MS Outlook. However, the exact cause of the problem in the XML file is unknown. But, there is definitely a solution to resolve this problem.

There is nothing to worry about ‘invalid XML’!! You should be aware of the fact that these issues are related to some XML files associated with your Outlook profile.

In most cases when Microsoft Outlook is not start up and shows the ‘Invalid XML’ error. It is usually because there is a problem with the XML file for navigation pane settings.

When you open Outlook, you will see a navigation panel on the left which shows you the current profile. When you change something in your account, it is stored in some places. This storage location depends on the operating system you use.

On Windows XP and Lower Editions: –

(C:\) <Windows Drive>\ Documents & Settings Folder \ <Windows User Name> \ Application Data \ Microsoft \ Outlook \

On Windows 7 and Higher Editions: –

(C:\) <Windows Drive>\ Users \ <Windows User Name> \ AppData \ Roming \ Microsoft \ Outlook \

Your setting file is stored at this location and here will be named yourprofilename.xml, where ‘yourprofilename’ is used to denote the corresponding Outlook profile name.

In this article, you will find a way to solve this error easily. Here, we explain all the facts about the “Microsoft Outlook Invalid XML” error. We will help you to run Microsoft Outlook again and use your email, contacts, calendar information without any errors.

Is There any Fastest Solution to Fix Outlook Invalid XML Error!!

Yes, there is. If you are getting major problems with the ‘Invalid XML’ error, and you cannot be fixed this error. Then is another way being available to open your emails, contacts, calendar information of Outlook again. Microsoft Outlook stores its user’s mailbox data in two files. One is Outlook Offline Storage Table (*.OST) and the other is Personal Storage Table (*.PST). Both files are containing all your Outlook profile information including your emails, contacts, calendar, events, etc. details. So, if you are getting any issues with the Outlook error invalid XML file. Then you can use Turgs OST Converter for Offline Storage Table file conversion. Or use Turgs PST Converter for Personal Storage Table file conversion.

** For More Details Visit on Linked Pages or Free Contact to Our Technical Support Team.

Causes & Symptoms of “Cannot start Outlook Invalid XML” Error

The main reason behind this problem is obvious and it is easily recognized. For example, when you click on Outlook icon, and before the startup Outlook displays the error message like – Cannot start Microsoft Office Outlook. Invalid XML, that’s mean your Outlook profile XML file was corrupted.

When you run Outlook in compatibility mode, it is destroyed or damaged if you are using a profile created in an earlier version of Outlook or a PST file. In all the mentioned cases Outlook can cause a problem and thus print the message “Unable to open Microsoft Outlook“.

You will Get Different ‘Invalid XML’ Error Message on Different Outlook Versions

Outlook 2003: “Cannot start Microsoft Office Outlook. Unable to open the Outlook window. Invalid XML, the view cannot be loaded.”
Outlook 2007: “Cannot open your default e-mail folders. The information store could not be opened.”
Outlook 2010: “Microsoft Outlook has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience.”

In the following section, we will explain the complete procedure to solve Outlook invalid XML error.

Solved “Cannot Start Microsoft Outlook. Invalid XML, The View Cannot Be Loaded” Error

The process of the resolve invalid XML file is divided into multiple methods. Some command ways are mentioned in the below section: –

How to Fix Microsoft Outlook Error Invalid XML File ?

1. Repair or Reset Outlook Navigation Pane File.
2. Reinstate or Delete Outlook Navigation Pane File.
3. Turn Off Outlook Compatibility Mode.
4. Restore the Previous Version of Outlook.exe File.
5. Restore Outlook OST and PST File to External Application or Outlook.

How to Repair Outlook Navigation Pane File ?

1. Open Run utility and type outlook.exe /resetnavpane command.
2. Click on OK button.

3. Restart Your Computer.

How to Reinstate Outlook Navigation Pane File ?

1. Open Run utility on Windows 7 Operating System.
2. Type command “%appdata%\Microsoft\Outlook”.
3. Click on Ok Button and open the Outlook Default folder.
4. Here, delete the Outlook.xml file.

5. Restart Microsoft Outlook.

How to Turn Off Outlook Compatibility Mode ?

1. Open your Microsoft Outlook installation location.
2. And, open start menu and type outlook.exe in search.
3. Right-click on Outlook.exe file and open properties option.
4. Click on the “Turn off Compatibility Mode” option.

How to Restore the Previous Version of Outlook.exe File ?

1. Open your Microsoft Outlook installation location.
2. And, open start menu and type outlook.exe in search.
3. Right-click on Outlook.exe file and choose “Restore Previous Versions” Option.

Final Word

When opening Microsoft Outlook and get error messages are quite common in Outlook versions. But, finding the reason behind the error is not an easier task. In this article, we will explain the complete solution of Outlook error “Cannot Start Microsoft Outlook. Invalid XML, the view cannot be loaded”. The above information will guide you how to restore the Outlook again when you will get this error. Lots of users get this message “Cannot start Microsoft Outlook invalid XML” in all versions of Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, etc. Also, they get error codes in the Windows 7 Operating system more than Windows 10. So, you can use a reliable method as suggested in the above section to solve Outlook invalid XML error.