If Outlook 2016 hangs at the processing/start screen, odds are you have a conflict with an add-in.  For example, Kaspersky’s anti-spam add-in, which recently caused problems for me.

The link above explains how to fix this problem, but let me distill it for you:

If you are trying to run Outlook now, stop it:

1. Use the tried and true CTRL ALT DEL combination.
2. Select Task Manager.
3. Click “Yes” if prompted: “Do you want this App to make changes to your PC?”
4. At the top of the Task Manager under Apps, select Microsoft Outlook.
5. In the bottom right hand corner of Task Manager, click on “End Task.”

Start Outlook in “safe mode.”

1. Right-click on the Start button.
2. Select Run.
3. In the open box, type Outlook /safe (There is a space after Outlook)
4. Click OK.
5. The choose Profile box opens, click OK.
6. Select the File tab, and choose “Slow and Disabled Add-ins.”
7. Disable the problem add-in (in my case, Kaspersky’s anti-spam feature).
8. Click OK.  Close Outlook.

Restart Outlook as usual.

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