Search feature rendered in MS Outlook helps in instantly finding an item through direct search procedure by providing keywords to the search box. Outlook Search known as "Instant Search" pane is displayed in all the components\ folders of mailbox such as contacts, mails, tasks, calendars, etc. In this section we will discuss about the aspects related to instant search feature such as:
Through advance search algorithms, the Outlook enables searching for a particular content in an instant manner. You don't have to go through all the elements present in the folder to search for a particular item. Instead, you can directly search for the specified component within a folder by providing related keywords. To find out a particular email or any other components from a specified folder, following steps can be used.
For MS Outlook 2007:
For MS Outlook 2013 & 2010:
Instant search feature of Microsoft Outlook runs on Windows search components. If it is not installed when you open an Outlook 2007, then a download Windows Search Software will prompt up in front of you.
Turn On Outlook Instant Search
To turn on Instant Search of Microsoft Outlook, click enable Instant Search in Search pane. If you don't found this message, then Instant Search is turned on.
Turn Off Outlook Instant Search
Clearing check boxes will turn off the search functionality but not remove Instant search pane.
Even after turning off the instant search, you can still do a query in Outlook search, although functionality and performance will be reduced.
Turn Off Prompt for Windows Desktop Search Installing
To avoid Windows Desktop Search prompt that every time open in Outlook follow the given below steps:
Instant Search box doesn't appear if you run Windows Vista or if the system has necessary Windows Search components.
Turn On Instant Outlook Instant Search
Before enabling Instant Search in Outlook 2010, Windows search 4.0 or later versions should be installed on your system. If it is not installed, then you are prompted to download software.
Windows 7: Windows Search 4.0 is by default turned on but if you are not using Instant search then might be the Windows search is turned off. So to enable or disable it follow the given path go to the Control panel, click on Programs, then features, after that set Windows features according to the need. Select Windows Search box.
Windows Vista & its earlier versions: On running Windows Vista Instant Search get automatically enabled on your system. But if you are running the Windows version earlier than Sp2 then you have to download Windows Search 4.0 by following the given path:
Turn Off Outlook Instant Search
Clearing check boxes will disable the search functionality, but not remove Instant Search pane. The text below the Instant Search pane "click here to enable Instant Search" will help you in enabling Instant Search.
Turn Off Prompts to Install Windows Search
To avoid Windows Desktop Search installation box that prompt when you open an Outlook follow the given steps:
MS Outlook search feature is helpful if you need to refine the search keywords or criteria so that it would more likely match the relevant component.
For MS Outlook 2007:
For MS Outlook 2013 & 2010:
This feature enables saving time if the user has to search again for a particular item that has been searched in a recent past. By using "Recent Search" option all the search results can be browsed within the panel.
For MS Outlook 2007:
Note: It auto saves maximum of 10 records from the most recently browsed search keywords.There are other features as well that can be used to manage and arrange Outlook search measures. These options are defined in the upcoming section.
"Search Options" Feature:
Selecting this feature, you can filter the search option and can set criteria for getting fast and instant results. For selecting this option:
At last, it can be concluded that the Outlook 'Instant Search' feature is helpful to a greater extent, especially when there is a large number of emails incorporated into an inbox, sent items, outbox or any other email folders. It is applicable for all other components of Outlook mailbox such as calendars, contacts, etc. and helps saving user's time by preventing long and time consuming procedure of random search for a particular item.