Deploying/Installing an outlook addin

Question

I am trying to install my Outlook Addin on client computers.

Unfortuantely, the Add-in can never be \'Enabled\' it is always shown in the Disabled add-in section.

Answer 1

Here is a short check list on how to troubleshoot possible issues with Outlook Addin

(of course not everything is covered)

Is the plugin properly registered on the client machines?

Check registry entries (HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Office\Outlook\Addins) and regasm.exe

Also make sure Make Assembly COM Visble located in Project Properties -> Assembly Information is checked

Have you deployed all dependencies together with the plugin assembly?

Its important esspecially when you build your own setup (either through WIX or installshield, ...).

Is there an error in the plugin while starting Outlook?

Check event viewer for Outlook errors and warnings

It can also "disappears" when version number / GUID of the plugin assembly has changed or there is a conflict

Try to fix it by deleting the CLSID keys in registry

REM 64bit entry in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
reg delete HKCR\CLSID\{GUID} /f 

REM 32bit entry in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
HKCR\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{GUID}

and re-register the assembly through regasm.exe