Microsoft conveniently suggests to use the new Outlook if you encounter the msls70.dll error in classic Outlook

Microsoft confirmed a new issue that is affected classic Outlook and also Word and other Office applications.

When you start an affected app, you may receive the error message “The required file msls70.dll cannot be found in your path. Install Microsoft Outlook again”.

A click on the OK button, the only available button, hides the error message only. Any attempt to launch Outlook on the system is met with the same error message.

Did you know? The new Outlook may transfer third-party logins when using the sync feature.

Microsoft says that it is working on a solution for the issue. In the meantime, it recommends accessing the emails using the new Outlook or the web-based version of Outlook.

Maybe it is just my cynical-self speaking, but the timing seems awfully convenient. When Microsoft launched the new Outlook client, it made it clear that this app would become the only client of Outlook one day.

It put an end to Mail and Calendar in Windows, but also announced that the classic version of Outlook would go away one day. While that day is years away, it is something that Outlook users need to be aware of.

The error message suggests that Outlook cannot find a DLL that it needs to run. Microsoft’s support page offers no explanation for the issue. Did an update cause the error? If not, what caused it and why is the DLL missing?

A thread on Reddit suggests that you could fix the issue temporarily by using online repair.

Here are the required steps (you need an active Internet connection):

1. Open the Start menu.
2. Select Settings.
3. Go to Apps > Installed Apps in the Settings window.
4. Locate Microsoft 365 in the list.
5. Select the three-dots menu.
6. Activate the Modify option.
7. Confirm the UAC prompt that appears.
8. Switch to “Online Repair” and select the repair button.
9. Confirm the action by selecting the repair button on the next screen as well.
10. Wait for the process to complete.

This should fix the startup issue temporarily. Try starting Outlook on the affected device. It should work now.

The process is highlighted in a video on YouTube as well.

There you have it. Use online repair to fix the issue or wait for Microsoft to fix it. No ETA given though at this point.

Do you use Outlook? Or do you prefer a different email client on desktop PCs? Feel free to leave a comment down below!