outlook 2007 shutting down without error (windows 8)

Hi,

I have recently changed my computer and moved to a Windows 8 Pro Desktop.  Installed MS Office 2007 on it.  We use Office 365 account synced to Outlook's desktop version via Microsoft's Exchange Server.

I have 2 problems:

1. When I open Outlook, it always asks for my password.  There is no check-box available where I can tick  "Save Password".  Its not there in the settings options either.  A bit annoying that every time I open Outlook (in normal or Safe Mode), I need to enter the password. 

2. The bigger issue - Whenever I click on an email (random email) to view in the Reading Pane Outlook closes, sometimes without an error and sometimes it shows "Microsoft Office Outlook has stopped working".  It does not generate an error code or does not even restart.  This happens for any random email.  After a few tries it may decide to let me read the email or just continues to keep shutting down.  There is no pattern to it.  However if I open Outlook in Safe Mode and click on the email - there is no problem.  All works well.  I would have continued to use Outlook in Safe Mode, however cannot, as a lot of the functions are restricted, especially the search function.  I have disabled all the add-ins and still get the below error as logged by Windows event viewer:

Will appreciate any help I can get with this.

Cheers
jaimin