Outlook should provide a "Cancel" option on closing.

[Guest]

Outlook is the only application I use that does not have a cancel option when
the close box is clicked. It is easy to inadvertently select the close box
instead of the maximize/restore down box and then there is no choice but to
close Outlook and re-open it.

----------------
This post is a suggestion for Microsoft, and Microsoft responds to the
suggestions with the most votes. To vote for this suggestion, click the "I
Agree" button in the message pane. If you do not see the button, follow this
link to open the suggestion in the Microsoft Web-based Newsreader and then
click "I Agree" in the message pane.

http://www.microsoft.com/office/com...4c959ef10&dg=microsoft.public.outlook.general

 

[Chuck Davis]

I personally dislike having to reaffirm every action that I take on the
computer. When you close Outlook, nothing is lost. The applications that I
use (dozens) don't make me re-affirm my decision to close the application
UNLESS there is a document or file that has been modified and I am asked
whether I want the changes saved or not.

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

Many people have asked for something similar. There is a sort of a workaround if you have a POP3 or IMAP4 account in your mail profile. Display your Outbox, then choose File | New | Post in Folder. Give the post a subject of "Do Not Delete," then save it. Now, whenever you close Outlook, you'll be prompted that there's an unsent message in your Outbox, so you'll have a choice of exiting or not.

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers