Note: This update was re-released January 11, 2011 (still as KB 2412171). It's highly recommended that users install this one, even if they aren't experiencing problems with the December version of the update.
The December 14, 2010 update (KB 2412171) which was automatically installed using Windows updates, causes a number of problems, including slowness switching folders, missing archive feature, and problems with authentication.
Other problems may be related to this update... so if something suddenly stopped working between December 14 and before the 17th (2010), uninstall the update. The bad update was removed from automatic updates no later than Dec 17, so issues cropping up after this date are probably not the result of the bad update.
This update was removed from Windows updates and is temporarily unavailable for download. Once the issue is resolved, a new version of the update will be made available. The new version will be pushed out using automatic updates. Because it is now removed from Windows update, its no longer necessary to Hide it on windows update.
If you want, you can disable installation of automatic updates and set it to alert you before installing them.
Uninstall Updates
To remove the update, go to Control Panel, Programs and Features (Windows 7/Vista) or Add or Remove Programs (Windows XP). You'll need to enable the option to show updates, then locate the update and click Remove (or Uninstall). You may also want to use System restore to revert to before the update was installed. If the update can't be removed, you'll need to use System Restore to remove it.
Block certain automatic updates
After you uninstall the problematic updates, Automatic updates will keep reinstalling the Update (unless Microsoft removes it from Automatic Updates). You need to go to the update site and hide this update.
- Uninstall the update
- Go to the Start menu and click the link for Windows Update.
- Let it search for updates it thinks you need then review the list.
- Right click on the updates you don't want installed and mark it hidden. If the update is enabled (checked) for installation, hiding it will remove it from the installation list.
Change Automatic Update Settings
Note: I highly recommend using the automatic install option for most users, experience tells me that most users will not install updates at all if they are not installed automatically. For this reason, I recommend hiding updates you don't want installed, not disabling automatic updates.
However, you can change automatic update settings to download but let you choose whether to install.
In Windows 7, go to Control panel, Windows updates and click Change settings. In Windows XP, go to Control panel, Automatic updates to change your selection.
More Information
Description of the Office Outlook 2007 update: December 14, 2010 (KB 2412171)
Microsoft Outlook 2007 may experience Send/Receive or performance issues after a recent update has been installed on the computer