This browser is no longer supported.
Upgrade to Microsoft Edge to take advantage of the latest features, security updates, and technical support.
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(128, 8%, 22%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3EA%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
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?
Using classic Outlook for Windows in business environments
Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.
I also just noticed that in the new Outlook client on Windows 11. It's a big security issue! Million of people around the world are trained to check the URL first that pops up before they click on a link in their E-Mail...
Yes, I too am very upset that Microsoft nolonger displays the URL of a hyperlink when hovering over it in the reading pane of Outlook (new Outlook). This is a huge step backwards for computer safety against malicious links.!
I can't understand why Microsoft would do this while they claim to be bolstering computer safety !
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.
Turning it on or off has no effect
