Microsoft warned users of problems where Outlook searches might fail and that recent emails might not appear in search results if they’re stored locally in PST or OST files. Windows platforms affected by this known issue (first acknowledged earlier this month) include client versions of Windows 10 and server versions, as well.

Client: Windows 11, version 21H2; Windows 10, version 21H2; Windows 10, version 21H1; Windows 10, version 20H2; Windows 10, version 1809; Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019 Server: Windows Server, version 20H2; Windows Server, version 1809; Windows Server 2019

Known Issue Rollback

Microsoft has addressed this issue on affected Windows 10 devices using either out-of-band Windows updates released on Monday or by using the Known Issue Rollback (KIR) feature. Users who receive the fix via KIR may have to wait for other computers on their network to update until the update reaches their system.

Admins can now resolve issues

Windows administrators can use policy settings and scripts to resolve this issue on enterprise-managed computers. The following group policies are available for enterprise environments (please restart your computer after configuring the Group Policy): Windows 10, version 20H2, Windows 10, version 21H1 and Windows 10, version 21H2, Windows 10, version 1809, Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019, and Windows Server 2019

Roll out

Microsoft has already started rolling out a fix for the Outlook search issue that occurs in Windows 10 devices, but it is also working on a resolution for the problem in Windows 11. As a temporary solution, Microsoft recommends that Windows 11 users who have not yet received the patch via Windows Update and those whose systems have been compromised by the Outlook search bug mitigate it by disabling Windows Desktop Search and using Outlook’s built-in search engine.  In December, reports surfaced that some Outlook users experienced search issues in the Microsoft 365 version of Outlook, the current version of the app, as well as in Outlook 2019 and 2016 after upgrading to Windows 11. In June 2021, Microsoft began rolling out Windows 11 previews; shortly after, users noticed that the application was misbehaving. The issues also reportedly impacted emails and other items stored locally in PST or OST files, such as POP and IMAP accounts.

Switch to Outlook’s built-in search engine

Microsoft recommends that users switch to Outlook’s built-in search engine, which is unaffected by the issue: The built-in search index in Windows 11 will remain intact even if the index itself is deleted. Have you experienced any challenges with your Outlook account and have you received the new update yet? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below. 

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