Incorrect or no results when searching auto-expanding archives in Outlook

Last Updated: July 28, 2022

ISSUE

When users search their online archive mailboxes that are spread over multiple Shared Locations (auto-expanding archives), they don't get accurate results. They either get no results or more results than expected. 

For example, using Current Folder as the Search Scope for a particular folder, users can either get the accurate search results for that folder or inaccurate results.  

When getting inaccurate search results using Current Folder as the Search Scope, users get the message "Showing results for all folders. No results found for current folder." However, search results show emails that are effectively in that folder, and many more that came from other folders, which are not expected when using the Current Folder search scope. 

This issue is happening because of a mismatch on FolderID when querying the Archive Mailboxes. 

Another unexpected symptom opening emails from Current Folder search results is that the item can fail to open and be displayed in the reading pane with the error: “Sorry, we’re having trouble opening this item. This could be temporary, but if you see it again you might want to restart Outlook.”

STATUS: WORKAROUND 

As a workaround, users can search using the Current Mailbox scope or switch to OWA to get accurate search results on the folders where the behavior mentioned above is represented.