Why does Outlook no longer show the original URL on hovering over a link in an email message?

Anonymous
2024-06-01T03:42:17+00:00

Starting in 2019 sometime, Windows Outlook began showing the original URL on hovering over a link in an email message.

Before that, it had only shown the rewritten safelinks version, which is very difficult to read and not at all helpful to someone who's trying to check what's behind that link's display text.

This was a vast improvement, and these days it is essential to be able to quckly check links if people are to have a chance of avoiding phishing traps.

It's particularly important for those users (probably the majority) who wouldn't understand the safelinks URL, and might well assume it's safe because it's a microsoft.com link.

Sadly, though, some time within the last few months my Outlook 365 has reverted to showing the unreadable safelinks URL in both the hover popup and the status bar at the bottom of the Outlook window. I currently have Windows Outlook Version 2404 Build 16.0.17531.20152 Click-to-run.

The safelinks service is good, but there will always be malicious links that get past it, and people need to be able to decide whether or not to click on a link by seeing the actual URL it would go to, not simply assume that safelinks will take care of it.

Has anyone else noticed this?

Outlook | Windows | Classic Outlook for Windows | For business

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-10-17T13:24:16+00:00

    4 months in and people are still experiencing this issue.

    Microsoft Dev's need to up their substandard game, this is bordering on pathetic.

    Having reported other issues with Outlook app recently, and having participated in resolution/testing, yeilding nothing but a closed ticket and no fix on those issues either, I have zero faith in this being fixed any time this year..... or next.

    Probably about time to pass this on to those with enough influence to take Microsoft to task on this, e.g security channel owners and commentators, who may be able to get some pressure applied... because, clearly, "customers security" at Microsoft has taken a back seat on this App.

    I get phishing and ransomware, trojans and all manner of unwanted nasties in emails, regularly, and because of this critical issue, I have no way to even glance at a URL to authenticate... no URLs at all in my current "build" of Outlook... OR worse., no way to tell if "junked" items are junked correctly because I can't see URLs.... leading to steps the average user will not know how to accomplish to varify legitimacy...

    Disgusting shonky substandard rubbish.

    Meanwhile my paid version of Outlook365 works as intended. Just not on my phone,.... thanks Microsoft. Kappa.

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-08-13T14:53:32+00:00

    I have just submitted this issue via the support button in the New Outlook. As Microsoft don't seem to be monitoring this thread, if others wouldn't mind submitting this issue via the Support button as well, I think that would definitely help push things along a bit.

    To do this, just click 'Help' on the top ribbon, then click Support. You can then type a brief description (don't need to submit a dump file or record the screen) and then submit this to Microsoft. Hopefully the more that report this, the more it will highlight the issue to Microsoft.

    Thank you.

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  3. Anonymous
    2024-08-09T15:50:30+00:00

    So with this version

    I have hover over MOST links (the links in the Microsoft Community emails, for example).

    I do NOT have hover in links of some messages (most recently, one of the phishing tests from our infosec peeps). How's that for maddening?

    Also, and most frustrating when I'm trying to make documentation, I lose the hover text when I try to take a screenshot (win-shft-s). How's that for useless?

    Thanks fer nuffin', Microsoft!

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  4. Anonymous
    2024-08-09T15:36:46+00:00

    The New Outlook still does not show any URL on mouse hover for us. We're not prepared to roll out New Outlook to users until it's fixed. Very surprised this hasn't been fixed yet, considering its potential security implications.

    I'm currently using New Outlook 1.2024.625.600 and get zero indication of what a hyperlink URL is before clicking it.

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  5. Anonymous
    2024-07-10T19:53:55+00:00

    Truly, inquiring minds wanna know, because as others have noted, this change flies in the face of everything we teach our users.

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