The following articles were included in our Exchange Messaging Outlook (EMO) newsletter published on August 29, 2024.
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Today's Highlights »
- Highlighting Outlook Folders
- Change the Mailing Address Fields in Outlook classic
- Updates on Classic Outlook Bugs
- Cancelled meeting remains on Attendees Calendars
Highlighting Outlook Folders
Sorry for getting your hopes up. :) We can’t yet use colored fonts or colored folder icons in Outlook but we can add emojis to the folder names, which might make them more noticeable.
1. Right click on a folder name and choose Rename Folder.
2. Position the cursor where you want the emoji then press Windows key + . (period/dot) to open the emoji picker dialog.
3. Find the emoji you want to use and click on it.
Emojis display as black and white line drawings in classic Outlook but are displayed in full color in new Outlook (and Outlook on the web).
You can also use emojis in your display name for POP and IMAP accounts in classic Outlook. Open the File tab, then select the account name at the top of the page (if you have more than one account). Click on Account Settings > Account Name and Sync Settings. Edit the “Your name” field. As with folder names, press Windows key + . (period) to open the emoji dialog.
If using an Outlook.com account, you need to change your display name in your Microsoft account profile at https://account.microsoft.com/profile/. Click Edit name, press Windows key + . (period). The emoji will be used on all mail you send through the outlook.com mailbox.
As with folder names, the emoji in display names will be black and white in classic Outlook, and colored emoji in new Outlook and Outlook on the web. Most web mail and mobile clients should display the colored emoji.
Change the Mailing Address Fields in Outlook classic
When you add a physical address to an Outlook contact, it should be set as the mailing address. If you add a second address and want to use it as the mailing address, you need to check the box to use the address as the mailing address.
Sometimes, syncing with a mobile device will change which address is the mailing address. While you can open each contact and change the mailing address, it's a lot faster to use PowerShell.
I have a PowerShell script (and VBA for anyone who prefers using VBA) that will change which address – Business, Home, or Other – is used for the mailing address.
If you need to move the address to a different address field, I have code that shows how to do that too.
As currently configured, the PowerShell script uses the selected contacts folder, but it could be changed to use the default contacts folder. Changing which address is used for the mailing address is as simple as changing a number.
For scripts that you might only need to use once or will only be used occasionally, PowerShell is better than VBA because you don't need to change Outlook's macro security settings. To use, open PowerShell IDE and paste the code into it. Select the contacts folder in classic Outlook then click Run. Yes, it is that simple.
Get the PowerShell at
Updates on Classic Outlook Bugs
Classic Outlook has had a few bugs plaguing users over the last few weeks. The reminders dialog and "Search <0w>" bugs are fixed, while the “gmail bug” and ucrtbase.dll error have workarounds available. The msls70.dll error is still under investigation.
Reminders dialog not displaying correctly is fixed in Current Channel Version 2408 (Build 17928.20114), as well as in the beta and preview versions. The monthly enterprise channel will get the fix in October 2024. If you don't have that build, some users fixed it by switching to the Calendar, then closing and reopening Outlook.
Search <0w> bug: Since early this year, users have been reporting seeing “Search <0w> “ in the search bar. This is finally(!) fixed in Insider's build and expected in the current channel in late September. Users who want the fix now can switch to an insider build. Microsoft 365 consumer versions should have the option to use Beta or Preview versions on the Update Options button in File > Office Account in Outlook (or File > Account in any office app.
If you don't have that option, you can use a registry key to change the channel you are on. I have the instructions in this article:
Get Office Insider Builds (slipstick.com)
Unable to sign into Gmail accounts is fixed in Insider builds: Users receiving either of those errors when trying to add a Gmail account to Outlook: “The browser or app may not be secure.” will need to upgrade to Office Insider to for the fix. No information on when it will be fixed in current channel release.
Classic Outlook unexpectedly closes at start up on faulting module ucrtbase.dll: To fix this error, you need to restart Outlook using the /cleanrules command. Yes, it will delete all of your rules. Sorry.
1. Close Outlook.
2. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog. type or paste the following into the Open field and press Enter or click OK to restart Outlook. (There is a space before /)
outlook.exe /cleanrules
A new bug where Outlook errors on startup “The required file msls70.dll cannot be found in your path” does not yet have a workaround or a fix.
Cancelled meeting remains on Attendees Calendars
A few users report they cancelled a meeting but due to apparent sync issues in classic Outlook, the meeting was not cancelled and deleted from the attendees calendars.
A user asked “I cancelled a meeting that I scheduled. But the invitation to the meeting remains in the attendee’s calendar. “
The easiest solution if there are only a few attendees is to tell them it was cancelled. However, if the attendee list is long, you can try asking one of the attendees to save the meeting invitation as an iCalendar (.ics) file then import it into your calendar using File > Open & Export > Import/Export > Import an iCalendar (.ics) or vCalendar file (.vcs).
Now try cancelling the meeting.
If it doesn't work, you’ll need to send an email to all attendees to let them know it was cancelled.
New & Updated Outlook Support Articles
Outlook Desktop is unable to apply labels with encryption
Classic Outlook errors on startup “The required file msls70.dll cannot be found in your path”
Classic Outlook reminders dialog not drawing properly and Dismiss button missing
Classic Outlook unexpectedly closes at start up on faulting module ucrtbase.dll
Outlook icon on the Start menu is not updated to Outlook (Classic)
Outlook, Word, or OneNote unexpectedly close when typing
Print to PDF is blocked if Mandatory Labeling is enabled
Teams Meeting add-in is missing in Outlook Desktop after updating to New Teams
Unable to sign in or add a Gmail account to classic Outlook
Other Resources
Microsoft 365 Roadmap for New Outlook for Windows | Microsoft 365
Exchange Online Message Recall Updates - Microsoft Community Hub
Ads in New Outlook
When you have a Microsoft 365 subscription, you should not see ads in your message list in new Outlook if the account, if the account with the subscription is set as the primary account.
Change the Mailing Address Selector Using PowerShell
How to use PowerShell to bulk change the Mailing Address selector in classic Outlook's contacts.