Windows 11 24H2 strikes again – Outlook might not start with Google Workspace Sync running
- Reference: 1733747832
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2024/12/09/outlook_windows_11_issue/
- Source link:
The Outlook [1]issue turned up in the Release Health Dashboard for Windows 11 24H2 and is related to using Google Workspace Sync, a tool that allows a user to manage their Google Workspace data – emails, calendar entries, tasks – in Outlook.
Affected users will find that Outlook fails to start and Google Workspace Sync for Microsoft Outlook (GWSMO) cannot be uninstalled or reinstalled. According to Microsoft, an error message might be shown, saying: "Cannot Start Microsoft Outlook. Cannot Open the Outlook Window. The set of folders cannot be opened. An unexpected error has occurred. MAPI was unable to load the information service."
[2]
Microsoft said the issue is resolved in the latest version of Google Workspace Sync – 4.3.68.0 – but until it is installed, the company warned that a compatibility hold would be applied, meaning Windows 11 24H2 would not be offered. Last week, Microsoft [3]announced that it would be widening the rollout of the operating system update.
[4]
[5]
The company also directed users to contact Google Workspace Support if the hold was still encountered 48 hours after updating the application.
In addition to the issues with Outlook, Google Workspace, and Windows 11 24H2, Microsoft also announced via the Microsoft 365 Message Center that the time was running out for Outlook Classic.
[6]
"Starting April 2026, Microsoft 365 for Enterprise users will be switched from classic to new Outlook for Windows, with the option to revert back."
According to Microsoft, this will allow users to check out the new look and feel of New Outlook while still being able to fall back to Outlook Classic and the features they actually need to do their work.
Microsoft wrote: "New Outlook gives users the most modern experience with Copilot features, theming, and a wave of valuable time-saving features like Pinning and Snoozing mails."
[7]Veteran Microsoft engineer shares some enterprise support tips
[8]Windows 11 24H2 rolls out to more devices – with a growing list of known issues
[9]Wubuntu: The lovechild of Windows and Linux nobody asked for
[10]Microsoft learned of fresh antitrust probe from the news
The rollout applies to Microsoft 365 Enterprise licensees, although it can be stopped using a policy to hide the toggle. It also doesn't apply to perpetual licenses or on-premises accounts. Microsoft said: "When this change takes effect, if you choose to exclude users from the experience, you can use the following Admin policy to manage new Outlook migration: Admin-Controlled Migration to New Outlook. Later, this policy will also be available via Group Policy Objects (GPO), Cloud Policy, and Intune."
Microsoft has promised at least 12 months' notice of any changes to give customers time to prepare. That change is clearly on its way. ®
Get our [11]Tech Resources
[1] https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/release-health/status-windows-11-24H2#3456msgdesc
[2] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/oses&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2Z1ciNx54Ytz0ztFCF7WDOAAAAAo&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[3] https://www.theregister.com/2024/12/05/microsoft_windows_roll_out/
[4] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/oses&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44Z1ciNx54Ytz0ztFCF7WDOAAAAAo&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[5] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/oses&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33Z1ciNx54Ytz0ztFCF7WDOAAAAAo&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[6] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/oses&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44Z1ciNx54Ytz0ztFCF7WDOAAAAAo&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[7] https://www.theregister.com/2024/12/06/raymond_chen_support_desk_advice/
[8] https://www.theregister.com/2024/12/05/microsoft_windows_roll_out/
[9] https://www.theregister.com/2024/12/05/wubuntu/
[10] https://www.theregister.com/2024/12/04/microsoft_ftc_antitrust_leak/
[11] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
Outlook: look out!
Outlook: foggy at best.
Outlook: some data not looking out for.
Outlook: shiny skin hidden from bugs.
Outlook: it keeps pouring; must be that rainy country we can blame.
Or...
You will NUKE MS, install another OS and get on with life happier in the knowledge that MS is one PITA that you won't have in the future.
Go on people, do it. You know it makes sense.
Just tried the new Outlook again. Functionality regarding shared mailboxes is still missing that is there in old Outlook. For over a year when switching back to old Outlook, the program asks you why you are reverting back. When giving the reason that the shared mailbox functionality is missing, you were prompted with "Missing shared folder functionality - This is a known issue and will be addressed in a future build", now they've stopped even bothering with that message. Looks like in the shiny new world of New Outlook, shared folders are not intended to be a part of it.
I'm assuming that the new (and chargeable) way of getting the same functionality, is to somehow use Flow, and rack up more bills.
M665 also has a security evaluation tool. Now if you use Outlook add-ons, it penalises you, giving you a lower security score. I'm assuming that again, they want you using chargeable Flow, rather than an addon to produce the same results.
It all comes down to they are trying to screw you for more money, to do what you could do last week as part of the software functionality.
As well as the shared folder issue (particularly the inability to pin them to favourites), its handling of public folders is also shit - really clunky and awkward, and if you favourite one of these (e.g. a public folder calendar) it doesn't seem to appear in the favouites until Outlook is closed and opened again.
Ah yes, Microsoft perpetually foisting the garbage that is New Microsoft Outlook instead of the desktop version of Microsoft Outlook. The users that are most likely to be unable to use New Microsoft Outlook are Enterprise users. Another genius marketing move that will cause the ripping of hair from enterprise IT support. It's really hard to come up with any positives points regarding New Microsoft Outlook beyond "it starts up and I can see some of my content".
"Automate it to send emails?"
"Bahahaha. You delightful young booby."
New Outlook is tolerable for basic home use (and it's better than Windows Mail - admittedly a very low bar), but it's nowhere near adequate for business use. Too much important functionality is either completely missing, not working properly, or changed around so that it's really awkward to use.
Garbage
Perhaps we should wait (holding breath?) for 25H2? Or perhaps Windows 12? Goodness knows what Windows 13 will bring; I dread to think.
Have to stop a competitor's product to use it? That's not a bug, it's a feature.
What about PST files?
I use a lot of PST files to store old data. This wasn't in the "New" Outlook when I last tried it. Anyone know if it's there now?
And of course, being an enterprise 365 account, we use shared mailboxes as well.
Alan
"but...."
> "BUT .... NOTHING. You WILL use New Outlook. You WILL use Copilot. You WILL use Recall. You WILL transfer all your data to the cloud. You WILL pay a monthly subscription fee roughly equal to the GDP of a small nation state. You WILL submit all your private and personal data to us so that we can sell it back to you and any other interested third party. Now stop it with all this "free choice" nonsense and do as you're told" - Microsoft 2024 (probably).