Microsoft tackles Classic Outlook search bug ahead of phase-out

Microsoft is encouraging Outlook users to transition from the classic version to the new one, but a persistent search bug in the older client is complicating the shift. The issue causes search results to fail to update after items are moved or changed, with moved messages lingering in results and generating errors when clicked. Changes to categories or read/unread status may also be affected, leaving Windows Desktop Search as the recommended workaround.

The problem impacts Server Assisted Search for mailboxes operating in online mode. Microsoft has proposed a registry tweak to disable server-assisted searching and revert to Windows Desktop Search, though this is only a temporary fix. The company has acknowledged the issue and confirmed that a hotfix is in development, but there is no estimated timeline for its release.

Classic Outlook is slated for phase-out, with Microsoft planning to end its default support by 2027 and remove the option to revert to it by 2029. Despite this, Microsoft has integrated Copilot into Classic Outlook, alongside fixing issues like inaccessible voicemail audio attachments. The voicemail problem was resolved in build 16.0.20430.2000 and later, but the search bug persists.

Recent updates to Outlook on the Web and New Outlook aim to mimic the appearance of Classic Outlook, providing a familiar interface to ease the transition. However, these changes are superficial and do not restore missing functionalities or eliminate existing bugs.