If you are using the Microsoft Outlook application on Windows 11, you may have noticed that the search does not work correctly; when recently received, the search ignores emails.
If you are using the Microsoft Outlook application on Windows 11, you may have noticed that the search does not work correctly when recently received; the search ignores emails.
On a separate support page, Microsoft explains that you can see that indexing is slow or even paused in the Indexing Options of the Control Panel. The issue affects users with POP, IMAP, or offline Exchange accounts. However, the problem does not occur among users with Microsoft 365 accounts or connected Exchange accounts.
The main difference between the two user groups is that different search functions are used. In the first case, the local Windows Search service is used for mail indexing, and in the second case, the Service Search service is used. The problem is related to the local service.
How to fix search issue in Microsoft Outlook on Windows 11
Microsoft is looking into this issue. On the support page, the company suggested a workaround, which is to switch from Windows search to Outlook’s built-in search:
- Use the keyboard shortcut Win+ R to open the Run command window.
- Type
regedit.exeand click OK to launch Registry Editor.
- Confirm the User Account Control prompt.
- Follow the path (you can paste the address in the field or navigate manually using the sidebar structure):
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows
- Right-click Windows and select New > Key.
- Name the section Windows Search.
- Right-click Windows Search and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
- Specify a name PreventIndexingOutlook.
- Double click PreventIndexingOutlook and change its value to 1.
- Exit Registry Editor.
- Restart your computer.
Outlook will now use its search, and the issue should be resolved. Note that you may need to revert the change after Microsoft fixes the problem. All you need to do is set the value to 0 or remove the PreventIndexingOutlook key entirely. Deletion is performed by right-clicking on the key and selecting Delete from the context menu.
Built-in Outlook Search displays the following message indicating that Windows Search is no longer used:
Search performance will be degraded because Group Policy has disabled the Windows Search service.
Conclusion
This is not the first time Microsoft Outlook users have experienced search issues. The support page will include the same offer updated in April 2022. The problem that Microsoft is describing is similar to what users are facing now.
At that time, users did not see recent search emails after installing Windows 10 updates or upgrading devices to Windows 11. Microsoft eventually fixed the issues and included the fixes in cumulative updates.
