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How to Stop the Autodiscover.xml Account Popup in Microsoft Office
Question details
The user needs to stop a repetitive autodiscover.xml credential prompt that prevents Outlook and other Office applications from functioning properly.
- Product
- Microsoft Office, Outlook
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Opening Outlook or other Office applications with a Microsoft 365 Personal subscription.
- Observed behavior
- A popup repeatedly asks for an account email address to open autodiscover.xml. It rejects personal accounts, blocks Outlook from opening, and persists even after reinstalling Office.
Before modifying your credential settings, locate your current Microsoft account email and password, and ensure all Office applications (especially Outlook) are completely closed.
Remove Obsolete Account Entries in Windows Credential Manager
Clearing old work or school account credentials often resolves the persistent autodiscover.xml prompt caused by authentication conflicts.
Microsoft Office sometimes caches old credentials from previous work or school accounts. When Outlook attempts to authenticate, it might use these obsolete credentials instead of your current Microsoft 365 Personal subscription details, triggering the autodiscover loop.
Ensure Outlook and all other Microsoft Office applications are completely closed so that credential files are not in use.
Click the Windows Start menu, type 'Credential Manager' into the search bar, and press Enter to open the utility.
Click on the 'Windows Credentials' tab and scroll down to the 'Generic Credentials' section.
Look for any credentials containing 'MicrosoftOffice', 'Outlook', or the outdated email address. Click the dropdown arrow next to the entry and select 'Remove' to delete it. Restart your computer and open Outlook.
Suppress the Autodiscover Redirect Warning via Registry Editor
Use this method if clearing credentials fails and the autodiscover redirect warning continues to loop during Outlook startup.
Switch to WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Experience
Tired of dealing with persistent credential popups and autodiscover errors in Microsoft Office? WPS Office offers a lightweight, free alternative that bypasses complicated Exchange account sync issues while maintaining excellent file compatibility.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free software for your operating system.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the setup file and follow the quick on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
- 3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office and instantly open your existing Microsoft Office files without any format conversion required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the autodiscover.xml popup keep appearing?
This usually happens when Outlook attempts to connect to an Exchange server using cached, outdated, or conflicting credentials (often from a previous work or school account) instead of your current Microsoft 365 Personal account details.
Will reinstalling Microsoft Office fix the autodiscover loop?
No, reinstalling Office typically does not resolve this issue because Windows preserves your credential caches and registry settings even after the application is uninstalled.
What is the purpose of autodiscover.xml in Outlook?
Autodiscover.xml is a configuration file used by Microsoft Exchange servers to automatically set up client profiles in Outlook. It defines server names, connection ports, and security settings based on your email address.
