Search function in Outlook classic does not work at all.

Question

Search function in Outlook classic does not work at all.

Michael Balston 0

Hornblower409 14,600 Reputation points

2026-08-28T11:59:42.04+00:00

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1 answer

Your answer

Hornblower409 14,600 Reputation points

2026-08-28T11:59:42.04+00:00

If the AI Answer did not solve your problem, type "Not Solved" in the "Add Comment" box below and then click the [Add Comment] button. I will try to offer some suggestions on what you can do next.

Answer 1

For classic Outlook search that returns no results at all, work through these checks in order:

Verify Outlook is still indexing.
- In classic Outlook, click in the Search box.
- Select Search Tools > Indexing Status.
- If items are still being indexed, wait a few minutes and check again. If the count is not decreasing, continue.
Make sure all Outlook data files are selected for search.
- In classic Outlook, click in the Search box.
- Select Search Tools > Locations to Search.
- Confirm all listed data files/stores are selected.
Check that the Windows Search service is running.
- Open the Windows Start menu, search for services.msc, and press Enter.
- Open Windows Search.
- Set Startup type to Automatic (Delayed Start).
- If Service status is not Running, select Start.
Run the Windows Search troubleshooter.
- Windows 11: Start > Settings > Privacy & Security > Troubleshoot > Searching Windows > Indexer troubleshooter.
- Windows 10: Start > Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Search and Indexing > Run the troubleshooter.
Confirm Outlook is included in Windows indexing.
- Exit classic Outlook.
- Open Indexing Options in Control Panel.
- Make sure Microsoft Outlook appears in Included Locations.
- If not, select Modify and enable Microsoft Outlook.
Confirm the Outlook MSG filter is configured.
- Exit classic Outlook.
- Open Indexing Options > Advanced > File Types.
- Select msg.
- Make sure Index Properties and File Contents is enabled.
- The Filter Description should show Office Outlook MSG IFilter.
- If that filter is missing, Microsoft Support is recommended.
Rebuild the search catalog.
- Exit classic Outlook.
- Open Indexing Options > Advanced.
- Select Rebuild.
- After rebuilding, reopen Outlook and allow indexing to finish.
Test with a new Outlook profile.
- In Outlook, go to File > Account Settings > Manage Profiles.
- Or exit Outlook and open Mail in Control Panel.
- Select Show Profiles > Add.
- Create the profile, complete account setup, then set Outlook to Prompt for a profile to be used.
- Restart Outlook, choose the new profile, and test search.
Repair Office if search still fails.
- In Windows 11, right-click Start > Installed apps.
- In Windows 10, right-click Start > Apps and Features.
- Select the Microsoft Office product > Modify.
- For Click-to-Run installs, use Online Repair. This is more thorough than Quick Repair.

If search still does not work after these steps, contact Microsoft Support.