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Symptoms

When you use double quotation marks to search a restrictive phrase in an online archived mailbox, a mailbox in online mode, or a mailbox in hybrid mode in Outlook, you receive unexpected search results.

Resolution

To resolve this issue, use the method for the appropriate version of Outlook.


Microsoft Outlook 2016, Outlook 2019 and Outlook for Office 365

Follow the steps in this section. No specific update is required.


Microsoft Outlook 2013 

Install the following update, and then follow the steps in this section:

May 12, 2015, update for Outlook 2013 (KB3039799)


Microsoft Outlook 2010

Install the following update, and then follow the steps in this section:

June 9, 2015, update for Outlook 2010 (KB3054881)

Steps to resolve this issue

Important
Follow the steps in this section carefully. Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Before you modify it, back up the registry for restoration in case problems occur.

  1. Exit all Microsoft Office applications.

  2. Start Registry Editor:

    • In Windows 10, go to Start, enter regedit in the Search Windows box, and then select regedit.exe in the search results.

    • In Windows 7, click Start, type regedit in the Search programs and files text box, and then click regedit.exe in the search results.

    • In Windows 8 and Windows 8.1, move your mouse to the upper-right corner, click Search, type regedit in the search text box, and then click regedit.exe in the search results.

  3. Locate and then select the following registry subkey:

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Office\xx.0\Outlook\Search

    Note xx.0 in this registry path corresponds to the Outlook version (16.0 = Outlook 2016, Outlook 2019 or Outlook for Office 365, 15.0 = Outlook 2013, 14.0 = Outlook 2010).

  4. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD Value.

  5. Type AllowPhraseMatch, and then press Enter.

  6. In the Details pane, right-click AllowPhraseMatch, and then click Modify.

  7. In the Value data box, type 1, and then click OK.

  8. Exit Registry Editor.

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