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Are You Frustrated with Slow Searches? How to Finally Fix the Annoying Outlook Bug in Windows 11.
Some people using Windows 11 with the classic version of Outlook are facing a serious issue. It seems there is a bug that makes the computer work too hard and could wear out parts of it faster. This problem is not always easy to spot because it does not crash the computer.
What is Happening?
The main issue is with the Windows search index, a feature that helps you find files and emails quickly. For users with this bug, the search index keeps rebuilding itself over and over, sometimes several times a day.
Here is what that looks like:
- High CPU Usage: The part of the computer that does most of the thinking, the CPU, gets very busy. This can make the computer run slow and use more electricity.
- Constant SSD Work: The storage part of the computer, the SSD, is written to constantly. The search index file, called Windows.db, can grow to be two to four times its normal size before shrinking again. This repeated writing can cause the SSD to wear out sooner than it should.
- When It Happens: This problem often starts right after the computer is turned on or when Outlook is opened.
This bug appears to be specific to Windows 11, as it did not happen on Windows 10. The issue seems to be how the classic version of Outlook works with the search feature in Windows 11.
A Known Issue
This problem has been reported to Microsoft through various channels. In a forum on Microsoft’s website, a moderator confirmed that it is a known bug. There was a short period in October 2025 when the problem seemed to be fixed after an update, but it came back for at least one user.
The bug is tricky because it doesn’t cause any obvious crashes or error messages. This means many people might have this problem without even knowing it.
What Can You Do?
While Microsoft has not released a permanent fix, there are some things you can try. One temporary solution suggested by a Microsoft moderator is to stop the Windows search service from indexing Outlook emails. To do this, you would go into your “Indexing Options” and uncheck Microsoft Outlook. This should lower the workload on your computer. You will still be able to search in Outlook, but it might be a little slower. In the past, for similar search issues, Microsoft has also suggested editing the Windows Registry to stop Outlook from using the Windows search feature, which makes it use its own built-in search instead.