Guide to Disable the App Search Bar in Outlook
Key Notes
- You can remove the App Search Bar by adjusting the Reading Pane settings.
- Reverting your Office installation can also remove the bar.
- Ensure your Office is updated before making changes.
Master Your Outlook: How to Efficiently Remove the App Search Bar
If you’ve found the App Search Bar in Outlook to be an inconvenience, you’re not alone. Many users find it intrusive, especially with the Reading Pane enabled, leading to a cluttered interface. This guide provides clear, actionable steps to remove the App Search Bar so that you can customize your Outlook experience to better suit your workflow.
Step-by-Step Guide to Removing the App Search Bar
Removing the App Search Bar from Outlook can be completed in two primary ways:
- Adjust the Reading Pane settings
- Revert your Office M365 Click-to-Run installation
Before proceeding, ensure your Office installation is updated.
Step 1: Adjust the Reading Pane Settings
To minimize clutter created by the App Search Bar, change the layout of the Reading Pane. By setting the Reading Pane to either the bottom or disabling it entirely, the App Search Bar will no longer obstruct your view.
Pro Tip: Try different layout settings to find what works best for your reading preferences.
Step 2: Revert Your Office M365 Installation
If adjusting the Reading Pane doesn’t resolve the issue, you can revert to a previous version of Outlook. Here’s how:
1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Enter the command to navigate to the Click-to-Run folder:
cd %programfiles%\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\ClickToRun
3. Next, run the command to update your Office version:
officec2rclient.exe /update user updatetoversion=16.0.17126.20132
If you have Outlook 2016 or 2019, use:
OfficeC2RClient.exe /update user updatetoversion=16.0.17029.20108
4. The program will begin downloading and installing necessary files. Wait patiently as it completes the task.
Pro Tip: After installation, go to File > Office Account > Update options and select Disable Updates to avoid automatic future updates that may affect your configuration.
Additional Tips
- Ensure you have the latest version of Outlook to avoid bugs.
- Use the Outlook Web App for a different experience without the App Search Bar.
- Consider reaching out to IT support if issues persist.
Summary
In conclusion, removing the App Search Bar in Outlook can be done by adjusting your Reading Pane settings or reverting your Office installation to a previous version. Each method is straightforward and improves your Outlook user experience significantly.
Conclusion
By following the outlined steps, you can effectively remove the App Search Bar from your Outlook setup, creating a more streamlined and user-friendly interface. Don’t hesitate to explore additional customization options Outlook offers to enhance your productivity.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
How do I clear the search bar in the Outlook app?
To clear the search bar, log into your Outlook account on the web, navigate to Settings, and select General > Privacy and data > Delete history here.
How can I hide the apps bar in Outlook?
To hide the apps bar, right-click on the navigation pane and uncheck the Apps for Office option. If the option isn’t present, click the three dots at the bottom of the pane, select Navigation Options, and adjust the display settings accordingly.