Office Apps Not Opening

Fix PowerPoint Not Opening and Outlook Issues in Office Home & Student 2021

Chanuka Geekiyanage Oct 14, 2026 871 views

Question details

The user is experiencing application launch and synchronization issues where PowerPoint links fail to open, and Outlook displays an empty inbox or an unexpected account identifier.

How to Fix PowerPoint Link Errors and Outlook Issues in Office Home and Student 2021

Product: Microsoft Office Home and Student 2021
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to open presentations via ms-powerpoint links and checking emails in Outlook after installing the Office Home and Student suite.
Observed behavior: Word and Excel function normally, but PowerPoint fails to open via links, and Outlook shows no emails or incorrect account information.

Before you start

Verify your Microsoft Office license type in your Microsoft account, as Office Home and Student 2021 does not officially include the Outlook desktop client.

Solution 1Recommended

Launch PowerPoint directly and repair file associations

Bypass invalid ms-powerpoint link errors by opening the application directly from your system menu and re-establishing the correct default app settings.

Link errors often occur when the system or browser loses the proper application association. Opening the program directly ensures the executable is working properly.

Open PowerPoint directly

Click the Windows Start menu, type 'PowerPoint' into the search bar, and click on the application executable to launch it.

Access default apps settings

Open Windows Settings, navigate to 'Apps', and select 'Default apps'.

Repair file association

Scroll down to 'Choose default apps by file type', find '.pptx' and '.ppt', and set Microsoft PowerPoint as the default application.

Application Verification: Always try launching the application directly from the Start menu first to isolate if the issue is strictly a broken hyperlink or a corrupted software installation.

Solution 2

Verify Outlook installation and account settings

Since Office Home and Student 2021 lacks Outlook, confirm which email client you are using and verify the server synchronization settings.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Use WPS Office as a Free Alternative for Your Documents

If you are struggling with missing applications or link errors in Office Home and Student, WPS Office provides a free, lightweight, and easy-to-use alternative. It offers high compatibility with Microsoft formats and includes everything you need in one familiar interface.

1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS website and download the free WPS Office installer.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the setup file and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the lightweight installation.
3. Open your presentations: Launch WPS Presentation and seamlessly open your existing .pptx files without worrying about broken links.

Fully compatible with Microsoft PowerPoint (.pptx), Word, and Excel formatsAll-in-one suite includes Writer, Spreadsheet, and Presentation in a single windowFree to use without complex account licensing or missing application issuesLightweight installation with a familiar, easy-to-navigate user interface

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Office Home and Student 2021 include Microsoft Outlook?

No, Microsoft Office Home and Student 2021 only includes Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. To use Outlook, you must purchase it separately, subscribe to Microsoft 365, or use the free Outlook web version.

How do I fix the ms-powerpoint link error?

This error happens when the system cannot find the application tied to a link. You can resolve it by opening Windows Settings > Apps > Default apps, and manually assigning PowerPoint as the default program for presentation file types.

Why is my Outlook inbox completely empty?

An empty inbox typically means the application is failing to synchronize with your email server, or you are signed in with a different account profile. Open your Account Settings, verify your IMAP/Exchange details, and ensure you are logged into the correct email address.

Office App Problems