Auto-archive feature is gone in Outlook 2007

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I have had the auto archive feature functioning for many years, up to and including settings for individual folders to be to be archived daily. Note I said “had” because I just noticed it is not only not doing it any more, but the feature itself is completely gone. If I go to “Tools,” then “Options” and click the “Other” tab, the “AutoArchive” option that USED TO be there is not, so there is no way of resetting the option. On a similar note, right clicking an individual folder, then properties, no longer reveals the “Archive” tab that USED TO be there because that is gone on all of the numerous folders (well over one hundred) as well for which I had individual settings for my folders.

What has happened to cause this, and most importantly how do I restore this feature that I very much need and used? I do not relish the idea of resetting all of those folder setting over again, but if someone can help me restore the archiving feature again I will sure be happy. PLEASE HELP. I’m going through all of the program helps, but they are not of much help at all because they are telling me how to use the Archiving feature itself but in my case I know how to use it but cannot do so because IT HAS LITERALLY DISAPPEARED.

I am running Outlook 2007 and running it on 64-bit Windows 7. It has worked fine up until very recently, but another strange fact is that it is gone from my wife’s identical desktop as well, and disappeared apparently at the same time. In her case, she doesn’t use that feature, but why would it disappear from both machines at the same time? Very strange. PLEASE HELP.

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Have you uninstalled KB2412171? It’s the most likely reason for your problem.

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Have you uninstalled KB2412171? It’s the most likely reason for your problem.

No, I have not, at least not knowingly. I’ve not uninstalled anything, that I know of, but do you know how I can resolve this problem?

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No, I have not, at least not knowingly. I’ve not uninstalled anything, that I know of, but do you know how I can resolve this problem?

Windows KB2412171 patch caused several types of issues on systems running Outlook 2007. You can remove it and see if it solves the problem with Auto-archive.

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Windows KB2412171 patch caused several types of issues on systems running Outlook 2007. You can remove it and see if it solves the problem with Auto-archive.

Rui, I just removed KB2412171 and the Auto-Archive features appear to be back, or at least the missing tools for it are there. Haven’t checked to see if it actually functions, but all of my old options and setting appear at first look to be there but I will check for actual functionality shortly. Now then, this brings to mind a couple of questions:

1. With KB2412171 now removed, and with Microsoft’s future auto-updates likely (I assume) to soon discover KB2412171 gone and want to install it again, how do I prevent this from happening again. . . or DO I?

2. Can you tell me at least in a general sort of way what I am losing (other than a malfunctioning auto-archive feature) by now not having KB2412171 installed? I assume MS created and installed it for some purpose, but are you aware of what that purpose was?

Thank you for your help. I will now go remove KB2412171 from my wife’s desktop as well. She doesn’t use the archive feature anywhere near as much as I do (if at all), but I do still want it to return to proper functionality. Thank you again.

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Rui, I just removed KB2412171 and the Auto-Archive features appear to be back, or at least the missing tools for it are there. Haven’t checked to see if it actually functions, but all of my old options and setting appear at first look to be there but I will check for actual functionality shortly. Now then, this brings to mind a couple of questions:

1. With KB2412171 now removed, and with Microsoft’s future auto-updates likely (I assume) to soon discover KB2412171 gone and want to install it again, how do I prevent this from happening again. . . or DO I?

2. Can you tell me at least in a general sort of way what I am losing (other than a malfunctioning auto-archive feature) by now not having KB2412171 installed? I assume MS created and installed it for some purpose, but are you aware of what that purpose was?

Thank you for your help. I will now go remove KB2412171 from my wife’s desktop as well. She doesn’t use the archive feature anywhere near as much as I do (if at all), but I do still want it to return to proper functionality. Thank you again.

David,

That update was not a security update. Microsoft is not very clear on its purpose, other than stability and performance, but experience has shown it didn’t really improve either stability or performance: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2412171

To avoid the automatic installation of that update in the future, right click it with your mouse and choose Hide Update from the menu.This will stop it being installed again without your explicit consent.

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David,

That update was not a security update. Microsoft is not very clear on its purpose, other than stability and performance, but experience has shown it didn’t really improve either stability or performance: http://support.micro….com/kb/2412171

To avoid the automatic installation of that update in the future, right click it with your mouse and choose Hide Update from the menu.This will stop it being installed again without your explicit consent.

I must admit to some curiousity relative to it’s purpose before rejecting it in the future, but I will accept the fact that with it installed the software does not work properly and appears to function well without it. I’m not aware of any means of rejecting any future installation of an update until it arrives though, so I was hoping someone could show me otherwise. I will try to watch for it’s reinstallation in the future and “hide” it. Thank you again for your help, I do appreciate it.

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I’d say John hit it on the head. Per Susan Bradley’s article in the 12/15 WSN I did not install this patch and I still have the option to AutoArchive in Outlook 2007.

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
Computer Specs

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I’d say John hit it on the head. Per Susan Bradley’s article in the 12/15 WSN I did not install this patch and I still have the option to AutoArchive in Outlook 2007.

This is not much of an answer to my question, how to I restore the capability that is gone?

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David,

To set up Windows Update to allow you to determine what to install.
1. Click the Orb
2. Type “Windows Update” into the search box
3. Click on Windows Update at the top of the search list.
4. Click on Change Settings in the left hand panel.
5. Change settings as shown below then click OK.

Then only install updates after reading Susan Bradley’s column in the WSN on Thursday after patch Tuesday!

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
Computer Specs

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My settings are similar to the ones posted by RetiredGeek. I like to approve whatever Windows Update wants to install. In the current situation, you will then be able to hide the problematic update before you proceed to install any other updates.

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My settings are similar to the ones posted by RetiredGeek. I like to approve whatever Windows Update wants to install. In the current situation, you will then be able to hide the problematic update before you proceed to install any other updates.

I had just done what you suggested and set it to approve/disapprove future updates when I read your suggestion to do just that, but thank you for the suggestion. Now on hindsight, armed with the knowledge that KB2412171 is “broken,” I’ve got to think MS will remove it from future offerings at least until they can fix it and resend it with a new number and fix, but you never know with them.

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I had just done what you suggested and set it to approve/disapprove future updates when I read your suggestion to do just that, but thank you for the suggestion. Now on hindsight, armed with the knowledge that KB2412171 is “broken,” I’ve got to think MS will remove it from future offerings at least until they can fix it and resend it with a new number and fix, but you never know with them.

David,

Think you will be safer like that. I must say I don’t know if the update will be removed, not sure what Microsoft does in similar situations. I never saw the update myself, as I am running Office 2010.

Regards

Rui

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David,

Think you will be safer like that. I must say I don’t know if the update will be removed, not sure what Microsoft does in similar situations. I never saw the update myself, as I am running Office 2010.

Regards

Rui

So, are you saying it only hit Outlook 2007 then? My wife’s desktop had the same problem, and is a virtual clone of mine (Outlook 2007 and running on 64-bit Windows 7).

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So, are you saying it only hit Outlook 2007 then? My wife’s desktop had the same problem, and is a virtual clone of mine (Outlook 2007 and running on 64-bit Windows 7).

Yes, it only affected Outlook 2007. It’s an update for Outlook 2007.

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Yes, it only affected Outlook 2007. It’s an update for Outlook 2007.

Apparently only 64-bit Outlook 2007. I just got curious and checked my laptop, which runs on 32-bit Windows 7, and it is fine. When I checked the installed updates, KB2412171 is not installed as it was on the two 64-bit desktops. Interesting. I checked Windows Update, intending to “hide” that update if it was offered, but it said there are no updates currently available.

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I checked some posts in the original Microsoft Answers thread where the fix was posted and some users seem to be using 32 bit systems. While doing it, I also found out on the MS Outlook team blog that this update has already been removed from Windows Update. Maybe that’s why you couldn’t get it on your laptop running Windows 7 32 bit.

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I checked some posts in the original Microsoft Answers thread where the fix was posted and some users seem to be using 32 bit systems. While doing it, I also found out on the MS Outlook team blog that this update has already been removed from Windows Update. Maybe that’s why you couldn’t get it on your laptop running Windows 7 32 bit.

It does seem reasonable to guess that they’d remove it if it had problems, and a simple explanation why it never got installed in my laptop is because my two desktops are never shut off and the laptop is rarely used here at home and is not turned on much. Interesting.

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HI. I have read most things about this issue and I have tried everything to bring back my archive feature. I have a windows 7 64 bit system and running MS office 2007 SP2 with the latest fixes. The exchange server is 2010 and other users have there’s. I don’t have that KB2412171 update installed. So I can’t uninstall it. I have even tried to do the registry edits and with no luck. Is there anything else that I can do other than uninstalling office and reinstalling it?

Thanks
Rob

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