Fixed in Version 2406 Build 17726.20000 that will be released to Current Channel in late June 2024.
Microsoft is updating the indicator bar used to identify out of office messages in Outlook to have an X pattern, rather than solid. This pattern is used in classic Outlook, new Outlook, Outlook on the web, Outlook mobile. The indicator is going to remain the purple color.
However, users with Outlook 2016 or Outlook 2019 may see the bar the same color as the calendar or category, if a category is assigned.
While Microsoft is still working on a fix, they have a registry key that will restore the old look.
You need to add the DWORD DisableAestheticPatterns to the preferences key in the registry andset the value to 1.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\Preferences DWORD: DisableAestheticPatterns Value:1
Use Command line
To add the key using a command line, press Windows key + R then paste this line in the Open box and press Enter or click Ok:
REG ADD HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\Preferences /v DisableAestheticPatterns /t REG_DWORD /d 1
![Use a command line to add the registry key](https://b76191.smushcdn.com/76191/images/2024/outlook/run-command.png?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
Edit the Registry
- Start typing regedit on the Start menu and open the Registry Editor when it comes up.
- Browse to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\Preferences (Tip: you can paste it in the address field under the menu in the registry editor then press Enter to go right to it.)
- Right click on the Preferences key and choose New > DWORD.
- Paste DisableAestheticPatterns as the DWORD name.
- Right click on the new value and choose Modify. Change the value to 1.
- Close the Registry Editor.
- Restart Outlook.
After the key is set and you restart Outlook, the Out of Office appointments have the purple bar.
Do it for me
I have a ready to use registry file available for download. Double-click to run the .reg file.
DisableAestheticPatterns.reg
If you prefer to download a zip file containing the .reg file:
DisableAestheticPatterns.reg.zip