Outlook data not Instant Search indexed with malformed NoOST value

  • Article
  • Applies to:
    Outlook 2013, Microsoft Outlook 2010

Original KB number:   2984311

Symptoms

In Microsoft Outlook, you are unable to perform an Instant Search. Instant Search attempts return the following messages:

In Outlook 2010

No matches found for "<search string>".
Try searching again in All Mail Items

Selecting Try searching again in All Mail Items returns:

No matches found for "<search string>".

In Outlook 2013

We couldn't find what you were looking for.
Find more on the server.

if your Outlook client is currently connected to Microsoft Exchange Server. If it is working offline, you may receive the following:

No matches found. Search is limited to the last 12 months because the server is unavailable.

Additionally, in both cases, Windows Search Indexing Options may report Indexing complete.

Cause

This behavior can occur if the following registry value is configured:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER \Software\Microsoft\Office\x.0\Outlook\OST
Name: NoOST
Type: any type other than REG_DWORD

Where x.0 is 15.0 for Outlook 2013, or 14.0 for Outlook 2010.

The NoOST registry value must be created as a DWORD. If configured incorrectly, Windows Search will fail to index the local Outlook data, resulting in no results returned on search attempts.

Resolution

Delete the NoOST registry value, and if needed, recreate it as a DWORD, using the steps below.

Important

This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, see How to back up and restore the registry in Windows.

  1. Quit Outlook.

  2. Launch the Registry Editor using the appropriate steps below.

    Windows 7

    From the Start menu, select Run, type regedit in the Open box, and then select OK.

    Windows 8/8.1

    From the Start screen, type regedit and press Enter.

  3. Locate and then select the following registry key:

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER \Software\Microsoft\Office\x.0\Outlook\OST

    Where x.0 is 15.0 for Outlook 2013, or 14.0 for Outlook 2010.

  4. Right-click the NoOST value, select Delete, and select Yes to confirm the deletion.

  5. If needed, from the Edit menu select New and select DWORD (32-bit) Value.

  6. Type NoOST and press Enter.

  7. From the File menu, select Exit to close the Registry Editor.