HowTo-Outlook

Microsoft released the August feature update of Outlook for Microsoft 365 Apps in the Current Channel (previously known as the Office 365 Monthly Channel).

There are no new features for Outlook this month but there are 8 highlighted fixes;

• We fixed an issue that caused Room Finder to fail to load.
• We fixed an issue that caused users to be able to download protected voice mail files.
• We fixed an issue that caused some users to experience an unexpected close after adding a shared calendar.
• We fixed an issue that caused users of Outlook’s “shared calendar improvements” feature to experience high CPU usage.
• We fixed an issue that caused calendars added to the “shortcuts” module to disappear after Outlook restarts.
• We fixed an issue that caused users to see shared calendars that they added not be checked by default, leading them to believe that the calendar had failed to get added.
• Fixed an issue in Outlook where custom VSTO controls stopped working after opening and switching between multiple windows and views.
• We fixed an issue where the following error was displaying, “Read Aloud not starting.”

Note: Depending on your installation type, this update can be installed via the Update Now button in Outlook or the Microsoft Store and updates Outlook to: Version 2109 (Build 14430.20234).

Cumulative Update 11 for Exchange 2019 is now available as well as Cumulative Update 22 for Exchange 2016.

They both contain the same 15 documented new fixes or improvements, as well as all previously released fixes and security updates for their respective Exchange version and the latest DST updates. The Exchange 2019 CU also contains 4 unique fixes which do not apply to the Exchange 2016.

Major changes to be aware of before installing these CU;

• A new service will be installed; Microsoft Exchange Emergency Mitigation service (or shortened; EM service).
  Once an hour, this service checks for mitigations to known security threats. It can then directly implement these pre-configured settings on the Exchange server to mitigate the threat until a Security Update can be applied. For more info see this blog post by the Exchange Team and this Microsoft Docs article.
• The IIS URL Rewrite module (x64 installer) must be installed before installing this CU. This is a requirement for the EM service.
• When using the unattended setup, note that the /IAcceptExchangeServerLicenseTerms switch will no longer work. Instead, you’ll need to use the (even longer) /IAcceptExchangeServerLicenseTerms_DiagnosticDataON or /IAcceptExchangeServerLicenseTerms_DiagnosticDataOFF switch.

Other notable improvements, changes and fixes are;

• KB5006983: Exchange Server 2019 and 2016 certificates created during setup use SHA-1 hash.
• KB5006986: Opening an Outlook message from the desktop removes line spacing.
• KB5006988: Export of .pst file is unexpectedly triggered again in Exchange Server 2019 and 2016.
• KB5006993: Can’t log on to OWA in Chrome if SSL is offloaded in Exchange Server 2019 and 2016.
• KB5006994: BCC values not retained in Sent Items in a shared mailbox in Exchange Server 2019 and 2016.

This release does not include new updates to the Active Directory Schema for Exchange 2019 nor Exchange 2016.
The next planned quarterly update for Exchange 2019 is in December 2021. No new update for Exchange 2016 is planned at this moment.

Exchange 2019: CU11 KB5005334 – Download
Exchange 2016: CU22 KB5005333 – Download – UM Language Packs
View: Blog post of the Exchange Team about CU11 for Exchange Server 2019 and CU 22 for Exchange 2016.

A new rollup update has been made available for all Click-to-Run installations of Outlook 2016, Outlook 2019 and Outlook as part of a Microsoft 365 subscription.

It contains 9 security updates for Access (1), Excel (1), Visio (2), Word (1), and Office (4). CVE-2021-40444 (Microsoft MSHTML Remote Code Execution Vulnerability), which also affected Office applications, has been fixed via an update for Windows.

In addition, it contains 1 documented non-security fix for Outlook Current Version 2108 (there were already 5 included in last week’s bug fix release too), 1 new feature and 6 fixes for Monthly Enterprise Version 2107, 16 new features and 56 fixes for the completely new Semi-Annual (Preview) Version 2108 and 3 fixes for Semi-Annual Version 2102. Most notable fixes are;

• Version 2108
  
  • We fixed an issue that caused users to see a loss of HTML formatting when saving a draft of an email to disk.
• Version 2107
  • We fixed an issue that caused users of the Shared Calendar Improvements feature to see newly added shared calendars fail to display until after a restart of Outlook.
  • We fixed an issue that caused users to see duplicate time entries in the end meeting time dropdown when the start of the meeting and the end of the meeting were on different dates.
  • We fixed an issue that caused emails that are resent by a different user to appear to have been sent by the original sender in organizations where SendFromAliasEnabled is set to True.
• Version 2102
  • We fixed an issue that prevented Outlook from booting after using “Send To->Mail Recipient” from the Windows Explorer.
  • We fixed an issue that caused users to be able to download protected attachments and voice mail files.

The new feature in Monthly Enterprise Version 2107 is;

• Read messages with fewer distractions
  Make it easier to focus on messages with custom text spacing, page colors, column width, and line focus, by turning on Immersive Reader.

Some of the new features in Semi-Annual (Preview) Version 2108 are;

• Improved links in email
  When you include a link to a file, the file name replaces the URL. You can change permissions so all recipients have access.
• Your Outlook settings in the cloud
  Choose your Outlook for Windows settings like Automatic Replies, Focused Inbox, and Privacy, and get to them on any PC.
• Every meeting online
  Update your calendar settings to make every meeting you create a Teams Meeting by default so you no longer need to remember to click the Teams Meeting option.
• Break the language barrier with a built-in translator
  Add-ins for translation aren’t required anymore! You can now use the Intelligent Translator in Outlook. When you receive a message in another language, a prompt will appear on top of the message asking if you’d like Outlook to translate it to your default language. You can also right-click to translate specific words, phrases, or the whole message.

Based on your release channel, you’ll be updated to the following version;

• Microsoft 365 Apps, Outlook 2016 Retail, Outlook 2019 Retail
  Version 2108 (Build 14326.20404)
• Monthly Enterprise
  Version 2107 (Build 14228.20324)
  Version 2106 (Build 14131.20384)
• Semi-Annual Enterprise (Preview)
  Version 2108 (Build 14326.20404)
• Semi-Annual Enterprise
  Version 2102 (Build 13801.20960)
  Version 2008 (Build 13127.21766) 
• Outlook 2019 Volume License
  Version 1808 (Build 10378.20029)

Note: Depending on your installation type, this update can be installed via the Update Now button in Outlook itself or the Microsoft Store. This update does not apply to msi-based installations of Office 2016.

A Bug Fix update has been released for Outlook for Microsoft 365 (Current Channel) and it comes with 5 highlighted fixes for Outlook and another 5 for other Office Apps that are part of Microsoft 365.

It does not yet resolve CVE-2021-40444 (Microsoft MSHTML Remote Code Execution Vulnerability). A fix for that is expected next week on “Patch Tuesday”.

The following issues have been resolved in Outlook;

• We fixed an issue where special characters were included in error messages.
• We fixed an issue that caused Room Finder to fail to load.
• We fixed an issue where an unexpected informational notification tip about shortening meetings by default appeared when creating meetings in Outlook, when the option was not configured by the Exchange administrator.
• We fixed an issue that caused deleted meeting invitations to intermittently re-surface for some users.
• We fixed an issue that caused links in the location field to be unclickable.

Note: Depending on your installation type, this update can be installed via the Update Now button in Outlook itself or the Microsoft Store and updates Outlook to Version 2108 (Build 14326.20348).

Microsoft released the August feature update of Outlook for Microsoft 365 Apps in the Current Channel (previously known as the Office 365 Monthly Channel).

It comes with 1 new feature for Outlook and 11 highlighted fixes. The new feature and fixes are listed below;

• Turn on shared calendar improvements
  For shared calendars in Office 365, Outlook can update these calendars using the REST API. Turn on the preview for faster and more reliable updates to shared calendars.
  • File-> Account Settings-> Account Settings…-> double click on your Exchange Online account-> More Settings-> tab: Advanced-> enable: Turn on shared calendar improvements
• We fixed an issue that caused users to be able to download protected attachments.
• We fixed an issue where the app stopped working while composing an email using Outlook.
• We fixed an issue where the app stops responding shortly after Outlook boot.
• We fixed an issue where email signatures would be missing after a change in the account’s UPN/SMTP name.
• Fixed an issue where changes only to the content of a signature would not be updated in the cloud-based setting.
• Fixed an issue that caused users to be able to download protected voice mail messages.
• Fixed an error when forwarding some large or long running recurring meetings as ICAL.
• Fixed an issue where a meeting occurrence cancellation form would appear instead of the expected edit form.
• We fixed an issue that was causing the app to stop responding when using Outlook.
• We fixed a bug that caused increased network activity shortly after Outlook boot with profiles that have multiple accounts.
• Fixed a bug in Outlook where custom VSTO controls stopped working after opening and switching between multiple windows and views.

Note: Depending on your installation type, this update can be installed via the Update Now button in Outlook or the Microsoft Store and updates Outlook to: Version 2108 (Build 14326.20238).

A new rollup update has been made available for all Click-to-Run installations of Outlook 2016, Outlook 2019 and Outlook as part of a Microsoft 365 subscription.

It contains 2 security updates for Word (1), and Office (1).

In addition, it contains 2 documented non-security fixes for Outlook Current Version 2107 (these were included in last week’s bug fix release already) and 10 fixes for Monthly Enterprise Version 2106. No Outlook fixes were mentioned for the Semi-Annual releases. Most notable fixes are;

• Version 2107
  We fixed an issue that caused emails that are resent by a different user to appear to have been sent by the original sender in organizations where SendFromAliasEnabled is set to True.
• Version 2107
  We fixed an issue that caused users to see duplicate time entries in the end meeting time dropdown when the start of the meeting and the end of the meeting were on different dates.
• Version 2107: Word, Excel PowerPoint
  In certain customer configurations, it has been discovered that document exports to PDF or XPS formats from Office may stop responding due to recent updates. This update fixes these regressions and reenables export to these formats.
• Version 2106
  We fixed an issue that caused users to see duplicate calendar items created when responding to the meeting request through the right-click context menu.
• Version 2106
  We fixed an issue that caused Cloud Settings to be unsuccessful to roam settings when it hit a conflict.
• Version 2106
  We fixed an issue that caused modifications on a message generated by the “Resend this message” option to be lost on send when that message was re-sent from a PST.

Based on your release channel, you’ll be updated to the following version;

• Microsoft 365 Apps, Outlook 2016 Retail, Outlook 2019 Retail
  Version 2107 (Build 14228.20250)
• Monthly Enterprise
  Version 2106 (Build 14131.20360)
  Version 2105 (Build 14026.20352)
• Semi-Annual Enterprise (Preview)
  Version 2102 (Build 13801.20864)
• Semi-Annual Enterprise
  Version 2102 (Build 13801.20864)
  Version 2008 (Build 13127.21736)
  Version 2002 (Build 12527.22017) 
• Outlook 2019 Volume License
  Version 1808 (Build 10377.20023)

Note: Depending on your installation type, this update can be installed via the Update Now button in Outlook itself or the Microsoft Store. This update does not apply to msi-based installations of Office 2016.

Microsoft released the July feature update of Outlook for Microsoft 365 Apps in the Current Channel (previously known as the Office 365 Monthly Channel).

It comes with 2 new features for Outlook and 5 highlighted fixes. The new features and fixes are listed below;

• Microsoft Search powered compose (To\Cc\Bcc) suggestions
  Adding people to the To\Cc\Bcc line is now powered by Microsoft Search. For more information see; AutoComplete not working as expected in Outlook.
• Read messages with fewer distractions
  Make it easier to focus on messages with custom text spacing, page colors, column width, and line focus, by turning on Immersive Reader.
  • Open the message in its own window via a double click-> button Immersive Reader
• We fixed an issue that caused some users to experience an unexpected close when collecting diagnostic information.
• We fixed an issue that caused modifications on a message generated by the “Resend this message” option to be lost on send when that message was re-sent from a PST.
• We fixed an issue that caused some users to experience an unexpected close when performing searches.
• We fixed an issue that caused Cloud Settings users to experience an unexpected close when an incompletely configured account is present in the profile.
• We fixed an issue that caused users of the Shared Calendar Improvements feature to see newly added shared calendars fail to display until after a restart of Outlook.

Note: Depending on your installation type, this update can be installed via the Update Now button in Outlook or the Microsoft Store and updates Outlook to: Version 2107 (Build 14228.20204).

A new rollup update has been made available for all Click-to-Run installations of Outlook 2016, Outlook 2019 and Outlook as part of a Microsoft 365 subscription.

It contains 3 security updates for Excel (1), Word (1), and Office (1).

In addition, it contains 4 documented non-security fixes for Outlook Current Version 2106, 1 new feature and 10 fixes for Monthly Enterprise Version 2105, and 1 fix for Semi-Annual (Preview) Version 2102. Most notable fixes are;

• Version 2106 and 2102
  We fixed an issue that prevented the cloud settings option from being enabled when selected by a user.
• Version 2106
  We fixed an issue that caused the SMTP address not to be displayed next to the user’s primary calendar in a multi-account profile after enabling the “Shared Calendar Improvements” option.
• Version 2105
  Users will now be able to submit feedback through our new feedback system.
• Version 2105 and 2102
  We added a registry key that disables the new Room Finder experience (the same experience as in Outlook for Web) and enables the legacy Room Finder with Suggested Times.
  • Key: HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\Options\Calendar
  • Value name: ShowLegacyRoomFinder
  • Value type: REG_DWORD
  • Value
    • 0 (Default)
      New Room Finder UI
    • 1
      Legacy Room Finder UI
• Version 2102
  We fixed an issue that caused users to experience an unexpected property change prompt when closing a message they had replied to or forwarded.

The new feature in Monthly Enterprise Version 2105 is;

• Get relevant file suggestions when you search
  When you type in the Search box, the most relevant files related to your search will be included in your suggestions.

Version 2102 has now also been released to the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel and contains 7 highlighted new feature and 48 fixes which have been made available already to the other release channels. Some notable new features are;

• Insert your iPhone photos directly into Office
  HEIC pictures from your phone now insert seamlessly into Office. No conversion required.
• Search conference rooms with specific characteristics that are needed for your meeting
  Filter for rooms based on your group size, the features you require, and the floor it is located on under the Capacity, Features, and Floor fields.
• Create polls in Outlook with Quick Poll
  Easily create a poll, collect votes, and view results within an email.
• Quickly reopen items from previous session
  We added an option to quickly reopen items from a previous Outlook session. Whether Outlook crashes or you close it, you’ll now be able to quickly relaunch items when you reopen the app. This feature is on by default. To turn it off, go to File-> Options-> General-> Start up Options-> When Outlook opens.

Based on your release channel, you’ll be updated to the following version;

• Microsoft 365 Apps, Outlook 2016 Retail, Outlook 2019 Retail
  Version 2106 (Build 14131.20320)
• Monthly Enterprise
  Version 2105 (Build 14026.20334)
  Version 2104 (Build 13929.20434)
• Semi-Annual Enterprise (Preview)
  Version 2102 (Build 13801.20808)
• Semi-Annual Enterprise
  Version 2102 (Build 13801.20808)
  Version 2008 (Build 13127.21704)
  Version 2002 (Build 12527.21986) 
• Outlook 2019 Volume License
  Version 1808 (Build 10376.20033)

Note: Depending on your installation type, this update can be installed via the Update Now button in Outlook itself or the Microsoft Store. This update does not apply to msi-based installations of Office 2016.

A Rollup Update has been released for Outlook 2016. This is a non-security update which contains the following documented fixes.

• Fixes an intermittent crash when Outlook reconnects to the Exchange server.
• Fixes some performance and graphics issues in long-running sessions of Outlook.

View: Download information for KB5001980

Note: This update can be installed via Microsoft Update and updates Outlook to version 16.0.5182.1000. This update does not apply to Perpetual (Retail) and Microsoft 365 based installations of Office 2016.

Security updates have been released for Exchange 2013, Exchange 2016 and Exchange 2019.

The updates fixes the following vulnerabilities;

• CVE-2021-31196: Microsoft Exchange Server Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
• CVE-2021-31206: Microsoft Exchange Server Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
• CVE-2021-34470: Microsoft Exchange Server Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability

None of the vulnerabilities are currently publicly disclosed nor exploited. The Exploitability Assessment is rated: Exploitation Less Likely.

When you are using Exchange 2013, a schema update must be applied after installing the update. See the Exchange Blog article for more info.

If you get the following error when trying to login to OWA or ECP after applying the Security Update see; Can’t sign in to Outlook on the web or EAC if Exchange Server OAuth certificate is expired.

• HMACProvider.GetCertificates:protectionCertificates.Length<1

View: Exchange Blog: Released: July 2021 Exchange Server Security Updates
View: Description of the security update for Microsoft Exchange Server 2019: July 13, 2021 (KB5004780)
View: Description of the security update for Microsoft Exchange Server 2016: July 13, 2021 (KB5004779)
View: Description of the security update for Microsoft Exchange Server 2013: July 13, 2021 (KB5004778)

Download: Security Update for Exchange 2019 CU9 and CU10
Download: Security Update for Exchange 2016 CU20 and CU21
Download: Security Update for Exchange 2013 CU23