Outlook 2003 is behaving like spyware!

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ron Polak
  • Start date Start date
R

Ron Polak

Hello.

Since installing Outlook 2003 (official release version) I have noticed a
couple of annoying behaviour characteristics that so far no-one has been
able to adequately explain. This begs the question "Is Outlook 2003
spyware?".

1. After closing Outlook the task manager shows it still running. Why?
What's it doing? What's preventing it from closing?

2. Probably related to #1, after closing Outlook, double-clicking on the
system tray icon produces a message saying "Outlook is not responding". This
only appears if "Show Network Warnings" is ticked, otherwise it does
nothing. What's going on here?

This sound really fishy to me. If it was any other application that remained
running after telling it to shutdown, or provided no means of removing the
systemtray icon without closing the process from task manager, it would be
branded as malware at least.

I await a definitive and comprehensive explanation with interest.

Ron Polak


BTW, I also have some questions about MS Picture Manager (as supplied with
Office System 2003) but cannot find any related newsgroups. Can anyone point
me in the right direction?
 
Outlook will stay resident under the following conditions. (I'm there are
others, but this is a starting point)

1) ActiveSync or PDA sync software installed that can use Outlook data
2) Fax software (e.g. WinFax)
3) Using Word as your e-mail editor and word is still open at the time
outlook closes
4) Poorly written third party addins


the microsoft.public.office.misc group might be a good starting point if
there isn't a dedicated group for this tool.
 
4) Poorly written third party addins

Well, that's one cause. I had Outlook 2000 and 2002 (don't remember
back to Outlook 98) and each would sometimes hang when they were
supposed to exit. They just didn't manage to complete their close
process to get to an exit command so Windows never unloaded them. And I
didn't have ANY plug-ins in Outlook. You have to use Task Manager to
kill them. Same defect occurred with Word.

I'm not surprised this didn't yet get fixed in Outlook 2003. A bug that
just keeps rolling through each new version.
 
I am seeing identical behaviour to that described by Ron
Polak and it's getting on my nerves. So let's go through
the points below:

1. I have PDA Sync software and I sync with Outlook. So,
what you are saying is that when I ask Outlook to close it
is determined for me that I don't know what I'm doing so
it remains running. This didn't happen with Outlook 2002
and should be sorted now!

2. I Use WinFax, the same point as above is applicable.

3. I sometimes use Word as my e-mail editor but it isn't
open independently of Outlook.

4. I have one add-in that worked perfectly with Outlook
2002 and seems to work perfectly with 2003 though I can't
swear to this.

So, if I choose to own a PDA, use WinFax (or other Fax
software), or use Word as my e-mail editor then Outlook
will not close down correctly - some would call this a bug!

Whilst we're here, anyone know how to select and keep the
Folder view? I don't want to see the Favourite Folders
and then have them repeated beneath - waste of space.

Anyone know how to permanently get rid of the SystemTray
icon (I don't want to hide it I want to remove it)?

Yes, I know I've asked these questions previously.

Regards
AC
 
Comments will be inline...

AC said:
I am seeing identical behaviour to that described by Ron
Polak and it's getting on my nerves. So let's go through
the points below:

1. I have PDA Sync software and I sync with Outlook. So,
what you are saying is that when I ask Outlook to close it
is determined for me that I don't know what I'm doing so
it remains running. This didn't happen with Outlook 2002
and should be sorted now!
Click to expand...

As with all new versions of software put out, sometimes the 3rd parties
(including MS's ActiveSync) need to be updated to deal with the under the
hood changes when a new revision comes out. I know that I had to update
ActiveSync because the version I had just didn't like Outlook 2003. Again,
it isn't Outlook making the determination on whether it can close, it is
that 3rd party application that isn't dealing with the shutdown request and
causing Outlook stay resident.
2. I Use WinFax, the same point as above is applicable.
Click to expand...

Symantec's WinFax is known to cause issues for Outlook 2003. Since Symantec
isn't revising this product anymore, about the best one can do is uninstall
WinFax and reinstall it that it doesn't integrate with Outlook. I believe
one of the other Outlook MVPs has covered this in previous posts in this
group, but I'm sure I can catch the attention of one of them if you need
additional information.
3. I sometimes use Word as my e-mail editor but it isn't
open independently of Outlook.
Click to expand...

Word caches an instance of Outlook so the interface appears snappy when a
user selects File | Send To | Mail Recipient. Word will only release this
instance once it closes. Problem is, that it happens so intermittenly and
such a bugger to reproduce that it is very difficult to chase down the exact
cause.
4. I have one add-in that worked perfectly with Outlook
2002 and seems to work perfectly with 2003 though I can't
swear to this.
Click to expand...

I'm thinking you will know after a bit if the addin is supposed to do
something and it doesn't. Again, there really isn't any clear cut list of
what does and doesn't work in this new version. We just kinda find out as
it comes up and correct it very quickly if happens to be a product that we
wrote.
So, if I choose to own a PDA, use WinFax (or other Fax
software), or use Word as my e-mail editor then Outlook
will not close down correctly - some would call this a bug!
Click to expand...

True, but should Microsoft be held liable for a 3rd parties refusal to
update a product so it works properly with the new version? In my eyes no
because Microsoft does give public betas and is a perfect opportunity for
companies like Symantec to get a copy and begin testing their addins,
plugins, or intergration features.
Whilst we're here, anyone know how to select and keep the
Folder view? I don't want to see the Favourite Folders
and then have them repeated beneath - waste of space.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure if you are describing the folder list that is on the right or
you have a custom view for a folder that isn't sticking, but since you
mentioned Favourite Folders I'm going to go with the folder list option on
the left. Try shutting Outlook down when the folder list is
selected/visible. Quick testing shows that if I have the shortcuts pane
selected at Outlook shutdown that at next startup I get the Favorite/Mail
pane. Would have to do additional testing to see how the other panes behave
when shutting down/restarting Outlook.
Anyone know how to permanently get rid of the SystemTray
icon (I don't want to hide it I want to remove it)?
Click to expand...

I don't think the icon can be removed.
 
Many thanks for all the info. In an effort to get a clear
baseline I disabled the Outlook add-ins and reinstalled
Office. I installed everything i.e. 'All Available from My
Computer' EXCEPT 'Alternative User Inputs' from Office
Tools (I don't need speech or handwriting recognition).

The good news is that I can now shut-down Outlook without
problem. Outlook also now remembers that I want
the 'Folder View' on the left hand side, not the Folders
and the Favourite Folders.

I haven't used WinFax since installing Office 2003 so
there's the next nightmare when I get some time!

I have e-mailed the producers of the add-ins for
information.

Regards and thanks again
AC
 
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