When you say only in safe mode, what happens if you try to run it in 'normal'
mode?
If that doesn't work, try disabling all your add-ins (from Safe mode) then
restarting Outlook (in 'normal' mode). If that works, try re-enabling
add-ins and restarting, until you find the culprit.
Sure,
Following a restart to ensure we begin cleanly, I open Outlook. When it
starts, it starts in the Safe Mode ... no popups, etc. (Safe Mode) is in the
title bar.
What happens if you search your hard drive for the Outlook.exe file and
double-click that? Do you get the same? If that works OK then it sounds
like your shortcut might be incorrect.