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Category shortcuts don’t work (Fixed)

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› Outlook › Category shortcuts don’t work (Fixed)

Last reviewed on September 15, 2021     4 Comments

Applies to: Outlook 2019 (Win), Outlook 2016 (Win)

The color category shortcuts (Ctrl+Function keys) are fixed in Office 365 Version 1902 Build 11328.20146, released March 5 2019. If you reverted to an older build, check for updates.

After installing the January 2019 Office 365 update, users discovered the category shortcuts (Ctrl+Function keys) either don’t work or apply the wrong category to the item.
category shortcuts
Microsoft is aware of the issue and it is expected to be fixed in an update in late February 2019. If waiting for the update is not workable, you can roll back to the previous build.

First, you need to turn off updates, otherwise the bad update will be reinstalled overnight. It is recommended that you create an appointment on your calendar to turn updates back on in about a month.

Use the following steps to install the older version in either 32 or 64 bit click to run.

  1. Type cmd on the Start menu to find the Command Prompt
  2. Right click on the Command Prompt, choose Run as Administrator.
  3. Copy then paste this line in the command prompt to go back to the Jan 14 2019 build.
    "C:\Program Files\Common Files\microsoft shared\ClickToRun\officec2rclient.exe" /update user updatetoversion=16.0.11126.20266
    Command to rollback office 354
  4. This will cause an update to start installing.

It’s not necessary to reboot when it’s done installing.

If you want to roll back to an older build, look for older build numbers at Update history

More Information

Uninstall Updates in Office 'Click to Run'

Category shortcuts don’t work (Fixed) was last modified: September 15th, 2021 by Diane Poremsky
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About Diane Poremsky

A Microsoft Outlook Most Valuable Professional (MVP) since 1999, Diane is the author of several books, including Outlook 2013 Absolute Beginners Book. She also created video training CDs and online training classes for Microsoft Outlook. You can find her helping people online in Outlook Forums as well as in the Microsoft Answers and TechNet forums.

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James Truxon (@guest_212948)
March 18, 2019 8:51 am
#212948

I've also seen this functionality come back to life -- version 1902, build 11328.20146 -- I had to unset and re-assign my category shortcut keys, but they're back to working like a charm at this point. Windows 10 / Outlook 2016. awesome!!

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Mick (@guest_212883)
March 6, 2019 5:39 pm
#212883

I just installed the latest Office 365 update and this problem has been fixed! The color category shortcuts (Ctrl+Function keys) feature for Outlook is back. Office 365 update is Version 1902 Build 11328.20146.
Happy.

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carla (@guest_212880)
March 6, 2019 2:11 pm
#212880

Thank you! I haven't seen an update yet, have you?

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Diane Poremsky(@diane-poremsky)
Author
Reply to  carla
March 6, 2019 8:13 pm
#212885

It's fixed in the build that came out yesterday (March 5 2019)

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