Stop changing the display of email addresses to names on outlook. This is supporting CYBERSECURITY Criminals.

Reported
Anonymous
2023-12-01T19:38:31+00:00

When I type an e-mail address to someone, Outlook changes it to the name in my contacts instead of leaving it alone as the actual e-mail address.

For example, I received an email from an unknown contact (a scammer) whose email address is **removed for privacy reasons**@gmail.com and outlook displays my CEO's name instead of the scammer's email address. How and why is my CEO's name displayed from an email address that has random letters??

The way Outlook is currently displaying names instead of email addresses makes people extremely vulnerable to scams, phishing, malware, and other cybersecurity threats.

Furthermore, I am not the first person to raise this issue. Please see this same issue raised at this link: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook_com/forum/all/show-the-actual-e-mail-address-instead-of-the-name/09baa36a-b494-456c-901f-475032c72b8d?page=1  Microsoft needs to address this issue and stop giving responses on forums that are unrelated to issue at hand. Instead please ESCALATE this issue to appropriate party responsible for making decisions and TAKE ACTION immediately.

Outlook | Web | Outlook.com | Settings

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  1. Anonymous
    2025-05-21T20:38:52+00:00

    Just a reminder to everyone already subscribed to this thread or that comes across it in the future to VOTE for the feedback item on this issue, and tell everyone you know to do the same. Posting here doesn't do much good, but voting for the feedback item does.

    There was an earlier link on the first page of this thread, but it no longer works, so use this link.

    I note in the feedback item that two years ago Microsoft said "We're considering this", but that hasn't translated to action yet; votes will up the priority of this absolutely necessary change.

    VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-05-13T15:59:44+00:00

    How is this still not solved.

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-05-10T12:44:07+00:00

    This is an infuriating change that Microsoft has made. We must be able to see the full name as well as email address of anyone sending us an email, as well as recipients that we are emailing. This was always the norm until just recently. Please restore this valuable feature! It is urgent Microsoft!

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  4. Anonymous
    2025-03-24T18:21:31+00:00

    Major security risk. Microsoft is really helping criminals break into computer systems and steal millions of dollars from innocent victims. FIX IT, Microsoft!

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  5. Reported
    Anonymous
    2023-12-02T15:15:22+00:00

    Hello! Sanjana Chowdhury

    Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community

    I understand your concern regarding the display of email addresses in Outlook. Outlook automatically displays the name associated with an email address if it is saved in your contacts. However, you can change this setting by going to Outlook.com settings, selecting "View all Outlook settings," clicking on "Compose and reply," and then selecting "Always show email address." This will display the actual email address instead of the name associated with it.

    Regarding the issue you mentioned with the scammer's email address displaying your CEO's name, it is possible that the scammer has spoofed your CEO's email address. This is a common tactic used by scammers to make their emails appear more legitimate. It is important to always verify the sender's email address before responding to any emails, especially if they are requesting sensitive information or money.

    I will pass along your feedback regarding this issue to the appropriate team for further review. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.

    Thank you,

    Vince

    Microsoft Community Moderator

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