Outlook Classic "Process Already Running" Error: 2026 Guide to Fixing POP Accounts
Welcome back to my digital home. It is Huzi here. Today, we are addressing a problem frustrating many: the Outlook Classic "Process Already Running" error for POP accounts after the January 2026 updates.
The "Useful Info First" Summary: The Immediate Fixes
- The Task Manager Fix: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc. End processes named
outlook.exeorolkad.exe. - The Control Panel "Mail" Trick: Go to Control Panel > Mail > Show Profiles > Add. Create a new profile there to bypass the failing in-app wizard.
- Disable Add-ins: File > Options > Add-ins. Uncheck "Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant".
- Repair Installation: Settings > Apps > Installed Apps > Microsoft 365 > Modify > Quick Repair.
Understanding the Digital Storm
The January update brought a push to move users away from the "Classic" interface. For those of us in Pakistan who value ownership, POP3 accounts are a sanctuary. The error happens because the new update's background integrity checks hang like a cart stuck in mud.
Navigating the Control Panel
Think of the Outlook app interface as the reception desk. If it's confused, go to the manager's office: the Mail applet in the Control Panel. Choose "Manual setup" to input your settings directly, bypassing the broken automated wizard.
The Add-In Dilemma
The Support and Recovery Assistant is designed to help, but in the 2026 update, it acts like an over-enthusiastic guard, blocking Outlook thinking it's a security risk. Disabling it is often the quickest way to unlock the door.
The Future of Outlook Classic
There is a dignity in sticking with what works. By repairing the Classic version and keeping your POP accounts alive, you are saying your data belongs to you on your machine.
“O Allah, never let the world forget the suffering of our brothers and sisters in Palestine. Shower them with Your mercy, steady their hearts with patience, and replace their every tear with the light of peace. O Most Merciful, be their protector, their healer, their unbreakable hope. Ameen, ya Rabb al-ʿālamīn.”
