How to Create a New Outlook Profile in Windows 10/11

Learn how to solve Outlook freezing, not opening, or perpetually asking for a password by creating a new profile.

Microsoft Outlook for Windows

Creating a new Outlook profile will often fix Outlook freezing, not opening, or continually prompting for a password.

To create a new profile:

1. Select the Windows icon in the lower-left (or lower middle) of the screen.
2. Select Control panel.
3. Click the View by drop down list on the right and set to Large icons.
4. Locate and click on Mail (...), such as Mail (32 -bit) or Mail (Microsoft Outlook 2016).
5. Select Show Profiles...
6. Click add and name the new profile (E.g. 'Test 1' (to distinguish from the original)).
7. An Add Account window should open. The email account should automatically fill in, otherwise update as required.
8. Select Next.
9. Select Allow.
10. Select Finish.
11. Select Apply.
12. Select OK.
13. After the new profile has been created, ensure that Prompt for a profile to be used is selected.
14. Close Outlook, then reopen Outlook.
    • If prompted, select the new profile.

If the new profile works as desired, set outlook to use this profile always by:

1. Open Control panel.
2. Select Mail (...) > Show Profiles... ,
3. Select Always use this profile, then select the new profile your created.
4. Select Apply, then OK.

If you have any issues with these steps, contact the IT Help Desk at helpdesk@jmu.edu or 540-568-3555.  In the interim, you can access Outlook on the web at outlook.office.com.