Can’t open Outlook with QuickBooks open – SOLUTION

After upgrading from QuickBooks 2006 to 2008 (stupid Intuit), I wanted to synchronize my contacts from QuickBooks to Outlook 2000 like I’ve always done.  When I tried, it made me download a sync application and install it (the 2006 version had a small, built-in sync program).  I had to close Outlook for it to install, but when I went to open Outlook, it wouldn’t open.  I finally uninstalled the sync app and closed all my programs and then Outlook opened.  That scared me…

Then I noticed other things..  If I tried to use a right-click Sent To – Mail Recipient or a built-in email function, it wouldn’t work.  Many times I couldn’t get my Outlook to open again, even with the sync app gone.  I finally figured out that with QuickBooks 2008 open, Outlook won’t open and many of it’s functions are messed up.  There aren’t any add-ins for QB in Outlook.

I finally figured out the solution: Edit menu, Preferences, Send Forms, My Preferences tab, change “Send E-mail Using” to QuickBooks E-mail from Outlook.  This will disentangle the programs.  Errr.

(This is an excerpt from my full post about QuickBooks mandatory upgrades.)