Volume 29 Issue 6

App Search bar in Outlook?

Users with Outlook 2016 and 2019 currently have a large App search box at the top of the message list.

This is a bug in the latest update. You have two options: tolerate it for a few more days until the fix is released or roll back to an older version.

This bug is expected to be fixed in the update scheduled for release next week. If the app search box is in your way and preventing you from searching, turn the reading pane off or move the reading pane to the bottom. (View tab > Reading Pane)

If you don’t want to wait, you can rollback your installation:

Open File, Office Account, Update Options and click on Disable Updates, otherwise the update will be installed again overnight.

Next, create an appointment in your calendar for 7 - 10 days to remind yourself to check for updates.

Tip: open the appointment, type 7d in the date field then press Enter.

Start typing cmd on the Start screen or in the task bar search field to find the Command Prompt. When it comes up, click Run as Administrator

Copy then right-click to paste this line into the command prompt window and press enter. Then wait. The current version of Office will be removed and the older one installed.
"C:\Program Files\Common Files\microsoft shared\ClickToRun\officec2rclient.exe" /update user updatetoversion=16.0.17126.20132

A text file with the correct, unadulterated file path is here

I have screenshots in this article.
Uninstall Updates in Office 'Click to Run'

Microsoft article on the bug:
Outlook unexpectedly has an App Search bar above the message list

New Outlook: Share Contacts between Accounts?

A user had a question about contacts in new Outlook:

I have multiple email accounts in the new Outlook for Windows. Only one account has contacts in its Contacts folder. When I’m writing an email, how do I access the Contacts folder that has all of my contacts? Only the Contacts folder from the current account appears when I click To. I’m not able to view or use the contacts in the other accounts.

You’ve discovered one major drawback of the new Outlook, especially if you used classic Outlook previously and used one Contacts folder and shared it with all your accounts.

Accounts in new Outlook are siloed. Nothing in an account can be shared with your other accounts. You can't even move email between accounts. While this can be a security feature, keeping work and personal accounts totally separate with no chance of blending them, it means you have calendar, contacts, and tasks spread between your accounts instead of stored in one account.

If you want to maintain one contacts folder, the solution to sharing contacts is copy and paste. Copy the address and paste into the new message. The other option: export the contacts, sort them, and import into the account you use with the address. Or go back to classic Outlook.