Forum Discussion
The new Outlook search in the title bar is disconnected from the content it searches
I appreciate the benefits of Microsoft Search in the Office apps but I'm getting feedback form multiple people that having the search in the title bar is unhelpful because they need to use the title bar for dragging the window around. In Outlook in particular, having the search box so far away from the content that you're searching is jarring. I understand the value of consistency, but I think that the utility of putting search with the content it searches overrides being consistent at all costs. Can we have an option to move the search box back down to the content in Outlook, and perhaps not to have it in title bars at all?
222 Replies
- Please give us the option to move the search bar back to where it used to be. This has got to be the worst decision ever taken by Microsoft.
- Close, but their worst decision was buying Nokia.... 😉
Firas65 to all comments - I have added my 2 cents in every possible location! I agree will all and my biggest issue with this is: I have 5 email accounts, in my Outlook profile. I cannot tell from the TITLE BAR, yes that's what it's called, FOR TITLES!!!. I cannot tell what Mailbox I'm in, what folder, Sent Items, etc. It's the worst design. I work with many admin assistants also who have their managers mailbox added into their Outlook profile - they cannot tell if they're in their own or their bosses. TERRIBLE TERRIBLE TERRIBLE!!!
Sallyws I understand you've already voted.
But for they who have not. Keep voting on https://outlook.uservoice.com/forums/322590-outlook-for-windows-desktop-application/suggestions/39046513-search-at-the-top-option and it will happen.
I think I can fix your problem. I fixed it on mine this morning.
Close out of all office programs except for OUTLOOK
Go to "FILE"
Scroll down to "OPTIONS"
In the middle, scroll down to "PRIVACY SETTINGS" click on this box
Then un-click "ENABLE OPTIONAL CONNECTED EXPERIENCES"
Click OK.
Restart Outlook
This put my search bar back to where it was prior to the updated new version.
Sadly we do not have the coming soon toggle in the upper right, the "Collapse by default" option, and BigJohn's suggestion of disabling connected experiences did not remedy the issue.
I agree; Just placed feedback. If you size down your window under 80%, there is no grab and drag to move space. If you use remote desktop, that connection bar covers the search box too.
I totally agree. This is making the UX much worse! Please change it back or give us the option to choose. Thanks
This has only just happened to me and very irritating it is too. If you know a Microsoft developer personally, could you ask them how they would feel if someone broke into their office overnight, took some things from their desktop and hid them, moved a few other things to different places, swapped the drawers around in their desk, then redecorated in a slightly different colour. Because that is how I feel every time they do something like this. MaryB
- In Outlook, start by switching over to the “File” menu. On the sidebar that opens, click the “Options” command. In the Outlook Options window, on the left, switch to the “Search” category. On the right, in the “Results” section, choose the option that best suits your needs.
- Irrelevant to the issue, but thanks for advising!
Biagio Mazzucco Hello, this isn't just a reply to you but to all reading this. Depending on the Office version you can revert the search bar to it's previous location by toggling off Coming Soon.
I have noticed that it can be done in versions lower than 2004 (Build 12730.20236) which was released for the Monthly Channel April 29th. In the previous release for the Monthly Channel 2003 (Build 12624.20466) it can still be done.
If you cannot see the toggle 'Coming Soon' it's possible your admin has disabled it from appearing in the Outlook client using a group policy.
Still, I acknowledge it's a problem as I cannot revert the search bar using the latest release for the Monthly Channel and have since long voted at UserVoice for Outlook for Windows. I will do some tests on version 2004 (Build 12730.20236) as I just installed it on a VM (I don't really know what policies are on it). I will update this post if I find a solution.
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/officeupdates/update-history-office365-proplus-by-date
*edit* according to this article the 'Coming Soon' toggle has previously been implemented and withdrawn from earlier releases (when Microsoft has received sufficient feedback regarding new features). Perhaps they will move it back, or at least make it an option https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/outlook-blog/changes-to-coming-soon-in-outlook-for-windows/ba-p/394252
yes, PLEASE Microsoft give us an option to have search as we previously knew it - the new search option is BEYOND TERRIBLE as I'm finding it useless it doing what was easy just days ago.
Please let MS know how you feel about this change.
https://outlook.uservoice.com/forums/322590-outlook-for-windows-desktop-application/suggestions/39046513-search-at-the-top-option
https://outlook.uservoice.com/forums/322590-outlook-for-windows-desktop-application/suggestions/39267754-search-feature
MaryB Thanks Microsoft... another change that no one wanted - and it is explicitly less convenient than the previous UI.
The old search bar was quick and easy to access, and I didn't fill half your screen with its drop down menu, and it wasn't of garbage suggestions that I don't want or need, all before you start typing ANYTHING. The old ones drop down was small and simple.
Please don't force this down our throats. If you focus grouped this Microsoft you didn't do your due diligence, I doubt you survey existing Outlook users. Your crappy consulting firm likely focus grouped man-on-the-street type people... Who don't Outlook 2016 every single day.
This is another feature that I don't see anyone liking. People have adjusted to the ribbon that you forced years ago, but you still have to Google where thigns are anytime you use a function that your don't use regularly; the ribbon because completely non-intuitive (you could have lept the option to keep the menu bar, and you know this).
I dare say this search bar is a worse change than the ribbon.
- Microsoft PLEASE read as Mary is absolutely right. The new search feature is almost useless and has immediately causes huge loss of time just trying to find a note I sent 2 days ago. PLEASE FIX THIS ASAP - cannot overemphasize how bad this change is for us.
MaryBIt also seems that the search bar has pushed out the identifier which previously showed which email account a user was in (for those who have multiple accounts listed in their Outlook list).
