Many users reported that the Outlook search is not working after installing KB5008212 update in Windows 10. If you face a same problem then continue below to solve the problem.
Problem in Details: After installing Windows 10 KB5008212 update, Outlook search doesn’t returning any results or Outlook not showing recent emails in search results. Microsoft has acknowledged the issue and says that is caused by the Windows search service. The issue occurs in all versions of Outlook (Office365, Outlook 2019, 2016 or 2013) on Windows 10 or Windows 11 OS.
This guide contains several methods to fix Outlook search problems after installing KB5008212 Cumulative Update for Windows 10.
How to FIX: Outlook Search Not Working after Windows Update KB5008212.
Method 1. Fix Outlook Search Not Working by Uninstalling KB5008212 Update.
The first method to fix Outlook search problems, is to remove the KB5008212 Update.
Step 1. Remove KB5008212 Update.
1. Go to Settings -> Update and Security.
2. Click View update history.
3. Click Uninstall updates.
4. Select the KB5008212 and click Uninstall. *
* Note: If you don’t see the KB5008212 in the list, do the following:
a. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
b. Give the following command:
- wusa /uninstall /kb:5008212
5. Restart your PC.
Step 2.Prevent the reinstallation of KB5008212.
1. Download the Show or Hide updates tool “wushowhide.diagcab” tool from here: https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/wushowhide.html
2. Run the tool and click Next at first screen.
3. At the next screen click Hide updates.
4. Let the tool to find the available updates and when this done, select the 2021-12 Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Version (KB5008212) and click Next.
5. When the troubleshooting is complete close the troubleshooter and continue your work.
Method 2. Install Windows Update KB5009543.
According your Windows edition,* proceed to downlead and install the 2022-01 Cumulative Update for Windows 10 KB5009543 Update from Microsoft Update Catalog.
* Note: To find out the Windows Edition, type winver and press Enter in Search.
.
Method 3. Disable Windows Desktop Search Service for Outlook.
The next method (but temporary solution) to fix the “Outlook search not working” problem after Windows Update KB5008212, is to disable the Windows Desktop Search to force Outlook to use it’s built-in search. To do disable Windows search in Outlook:
1. Press Windows 
+ R keys to open the run command box.
2. Type regedit and press Enter.
3. In Registry Editor navigate to the following key:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindows
4a. Right-click at Windows key and choose New > Key.
4b. Give at the new key the name Windows Search
5a. Right-click at Windows Search Key and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value
5b. Give at the new value the name: PreventIndexingOutlook
5c. Double-click at the PreventIndexingOutlook value, set the value data to 1 and click OK.
6. Close the registry editor.
7. Restart Outlook. *
* Notes:
1. Since this method is a temporary solution, put the PreventIndexingOutlook value to 0 after installing updates to find out if the issue fixed.
2. Keep in mind that the Outlook built-in search (when searching), will display the following message to indicate that it is not using the Windows Search service:
- Search performance will be impacted because a group policy has turned off the Windows Search service.
That’s all folks! Did it work for you?
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