Hi,

The Outlook 2013 Search Refine toolbar is disabled on my computer. Search still works. The "More" button in the Refine toolbar also successfully adds search refinement fields beneath the Search box, but they are also disabled, and then cannot be removed.

I've tried the Outlook 2013 Repair from Programs and Features. Repair said it was successful, but did fix the problem.

I use Outlook with Exchange 2007. I have the Cache turned on, with 12 months history.

Screenshot showing the problem is below. Any suggestions appreciated!

Thanks,

Peter

Included image was not accepted by the forum.

"Account must be verified" apparently..

You can upload your screenshot to skydrive and post the link here for my further checking.

Anyway, please try to launch Outlook with safe mode. (Run "Outlook.exe /safe" in Windows search bar.) If the issue is gone, please disable suspecious add-ins and macros to find the root.

Create a new profile to test is also proposed.

Thanks.

Tony Chen
TechNet Community Support

You can upload your screenshot to skydrive and post the link here for my further checking.

Anyway, please try to launch Outlook with safe mode. (Run "Outlook.exe /safe" in Windows search bar.) If the issue is gone, please disable suspecious add-ins and macros to find the root.

Create a new profile to test is also proposed.

Thanks.

Tony Chen
TechNet Community Support

• Marked as answer by Tony Chen CHNMicrosoft contingent staff, Moderator Monday, July 29, 2013 5:27 AM

Hi Tony,

Sorry, missed the suggestion to run Outlook in Safe mode. I've tried this - see screenshot below. The screenshot also shows the Refine ribbon disabled.

I've created two new mail profiles - one to the same Exchange server, one to a test Outlook.com email address. Neither fixed the problem.

I have found that if I create a new windows login, then Outlook runs fine, including the Search function. So something is corrupted in my user account. I'd switch to this new profile, but all my application settings stop working in this new profile.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks, Peter

Dear all! 

I do have the same problem! I do have Refine section enabled, but the options in search module are as in the picture disabled! I can not use it and I can not remove any of them! 

I'm running office 2013 64bit on Windows 8 Pro 64bit upgrade from Windows 7! 

Thank you! 

• Edited by Ciprian Balan Wednesday, August 14, 2013 10:09 AM

I have the same problem.  The Search Refine Toolbar is disabled in Outlook 2013.

Any help is appreciated !