Deleted; Thank you for your question. My answer is in two parts, but first, I wanted to let you (and whoever is reading this) know that this message / question from A1 was in my Junk folder just now. After two days in a row of commenting on this message board, a question from the board goes to my Junk folder. Insane.
The first part of my answer is yes, when I was on the chat with whoever the rep was, that was one of many things that were tried, but unfortunately Outlook has never been the same.
The second part of my answer is the computer I am on right now is a brand new computer that has no connection to my previous computer I was using when this mess started. I do not transfer "old to new" when I start using a new computer, I rebuild as I go.
So, we cannot blame computers for a misguided Microsoft rep or Outlook having a mind of its own. This is strictly a Microsoft issue that they refuse to help with. I have commented here multiple times and have been pretty much ignored. One person that answered one of my comments last year could have been with Microsoft, but after supplying his requested information, I never heard from him again. I also continuously send feedback through the Microsoft Feedback Hub on my laptop, but I get the same results, no one replying or contacting me about anything I send.
It's very simple, Microsoft has failed. They do not care about an individual having problems with their garbage programs. They only care about big dollar clients that are suckered into signing service agreements that lock them into paying Microsoft well after the equipment or service shelf-life has expired.