Some Microsoft 365 users are having a bothersome problem with Microsoft Outlook, one of the most popular email and productivity applications in the world. Users of Microsoft Outlook 365 are experiencing a recent bug that causes Outlook to stall or hang when they try to copy text. The causes of this problem, Microsoft’s solution, and temporary workarounds are all covered in detail in this article.
This freezing bug mostly affects users who utilize Input Method Editors (IMEs) for languages like Japanese, Chinese, and Korean and is present in Microsoft Outlook Current Channel Version 2409 (Build 18025.20096) or higher. Outlook may abruptly halt or stop responding when users attempt to select text within an email and use the copy shortcut Ctrl+C. Microsoft has acknowledged the issue and is making every effort to resolve it.
Root of the Problem: Input Method Editors
Systems that use Input Method Editors (IMEs), which are programs that let users input complicated characters and symbols from non-Latin alphabets, are impacted by the problem. When typing in languages like Chinese, Japanese, or Korean, where a single character may represent an entire word or notion, IMEs are crucial. Businesses with multinational teams who depend on Microsoft Outlook for multilingual communication will find the problem especially problematic.
Users who predominantly use Latin-based alphabets might not have as much trouble copying text in Microsoft Outlook because this problem only occurs on PCs with specific IME configurations. According to Microsoft, its engineers are looking into the issue and will notify users as soon as a patch or long-term solution is available.
Microsoft’s Suggested Workarounds for Outlook Users
Although there is currently no permanent solution, Microsoft has offered impacted users interim solutions. By altering specific Windows environment settings, these solutions allow users to continue using Outlook without running into the freezing bug when copying text.
1. Revert to a Previous IME Version
Microsoft advises users to switch back to an earlier IME version. Users can prevent the freeze brought on by more recent IME versions in Microsoft Outlook by altering this setting. The steps to do this are as follows:
- Open the Settings app in Windows.
- Search for “IME settings” in the search bar.
- Select your language’s IME settings.
- Click on General within the IME settings menu.
- Enable the “Use previous version of Microsoft IME” option.
This workaround is relatively simple and helps users avoid the text-copying issue without significant impact on their overall productivity in Microsoft Outlook.
2. Revert Microsoft Outlook to an Earlier Build
Microsoft also advises going back to an earlier version of Outlook that is not impacted by this particular bug if adjusting the IME settings does not completely fix the problem. To accomplish this, take these actions:
- Open Command Prompt by searching for it in the Windows search box.
- Right-click the Command Prompt icon and select Run as administrator.
- In the Command Prompt window, enter the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each:
cd %programfiles%\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\ClickToRun
officec2rclient.exe /update user updatetoversion=16.0.17928.20156
In order to help users get around the freezing issue until Microsoft provides a permanent remedy, this procedure will restore Microsoft Outlook to an earlier version.
Recent Fixes for Other Microsoft Outlook Issues
Microsoft has been actively addressing other vulnerabilities in Microsoft 365 apps in addition to the freezing problem. A bug that caused Microsoft 365 programs, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and OneNote, to crash when typing or using spell-check was fixed in September. These kinds of bugs show how difficult it is to maintain stability throughout Microsoft’s product line while still allowing for frequent updates.
Although Microsoft is dedicated to improving the user experience, these updates occasionally have unanticipated problems. Users who depend on Microsoft Outlook email and other Office applications on a daily basis may find these flaws annoying, but regular upgrades are necessary to keep Outlook running with the newest features and security patches.
Microsoft Outlook: An Essential Productivity Tool with Growing Challenges
Microsoft Outlook is still an essential tool for communication in both personal and business contexts. With its powerful calendar, email, and task management capabilities, Microsoft Outlook 365 has emerged as the productivity suite of choice for millions of people. However, problems may occasionally occur as Microsoft incorporates new features and enhancements. Getting in touch with Microsoft Outlook support, which offers information and updates on known bugs and fixes, can be quite helpful for users who are having problems with Microsoft Outlook today.
Setting up a personalized Microsoft Outlook signature and scheduling using Microsoft Outlook calendar are crucial tools that improve productivity for people who depend significantly on Microsoft Outlook for everyday chores. But as these defects demonstrate, Microsoft should do a better job of promptly addressing and resolving problems to uphold Outlook’s high level of dependability.
Downloading and Accessing Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Outlook is accessible across a number of platforms for people who wish to utilize it. There is a Microsoft Outlook app for mobile devices to make sure you can handle your emails while on the go, and users may download Microsoft Outlook straight from Microsoft’s website. For people who work remotely or require access from multiple places, Microsoft Outlook online also enables users to log in from any device.
Microsoft has put more of an emphasis on technical support and customer service for Microsoft Outlook due to recent problems. The support staff can help with troubleshooting if someone is having specific problems with Microsoft Outlook email login or is having trouble logging in to Microsoft Outlook.
Conclusion
The freezing problem that Microsoft Outlook customers are experiencing is being actively fixed, and Microsoft has offered a number of solutions to enable impacted users to carry on with their work without experiencing significant interruptions. Despite this short-term issue, users can continue to use Outlook’s productivity tools by implementing the suggested remedies. Although unanticipated issues are periodically introduced by Microsoft’s frequent upgrades, their ultimate goal is to improve the Outlook experience.
With constant updates and an emphasis on resolving problems like these, Microsoft Outlook—which is utilized by millions of people worldwide for both personal and professional reasons—remains a mainstay in the productivity and communication space.
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