{
  "id": 12393541,
  "title": "Classic Outlook clings to stale search results as Microsoft works on a fix",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/classic-outlook-clings-to-stale-search-results-as-microsoft-works-on-12393541",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-06T14:10:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Register Software",
    "slug": "the-register-software",
    "url": "https://www.theregister.com/software/2026/10/06/classic-outlook-clings-to-stale-search-results-as-microsoft-works-on-a-fix/5301313"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Microsoft is urging Outlook users to move away from the classic version and adopt the new one, but a search bug is hurting the classic client's chances. This issue prevents results from updating when mailbox items are moved or altered, causing Microsoft to send users back to Windows Desktop Search for a workaround. When items are moved from search results to another folder, they remain listed and cause errors upon clicking. Changes to categories or read/unread status may also be impacted. The problem specifically affects Server-Assisted Search for mailboxes in online mode. Microsoft has developed a fix involving a registry change to disable server-assisted searching, forcing Classic Outlook to revert to Windows Desktop Search. However, a fix is not yet available, with Microsoft stating that the issue is being escalated as a hotfix for the Outlook team, though there is no estimated time of arrival. Microsoft confirms that Classic Outlook will be phased out, with the opt-out phase beginning in 2027, at which point enterprise users will be automatically migrated to New Outlook unless administrators block the migration. Users will still have the option to revert to Classic Outlook if desired. Despite this, Microsoft has nonetheless packed Classic Outlook with Copilot via a ribbon button, along with additional bugs like the malfunctioning Quick Steps function. Microsoft also admitted to another issue that prevented users from accessing voicemail audio attachments, which was fixed in a later build but the server-assisted search problem remains unresolved. A recent update for Outlook on the Web and New Outlook aims to make the new tools resemble Classic Outlook, but this superficial resemblance does not restore the missing functionality. Users should not expect their specific Classic Outlook bugs to transfer to the new client.",
  "summary": "Moved messages linger and throw errors when clicked, leaving Windows Desktop Search as the workaround",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Register",
        "title": "Classic Outlook clings to stale search results as Microsoft works on a fix",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/classic-outlook-clings-to-stale-search-results-as-microsoft-works-on",
        "published": "2026-10-06T14:10:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}