[
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "how%20do%20I%20search%20all%20boxes%20at%20one%20time%20in%20outlook%20classic"
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "If you're using the **Classic Outlook for Windows**, you *can* search all the mailboxes/accounts at the same time. Here\u2019s how to do it, plus some troubleshooting tips if the option isn\u2019t showing up.\n\n---\n\n### \u2705 How to Search All Mailboxes in Classic Outlook\n\n1. **Open Classic Outlook** on your PC.  \n   *Make sure you\u2019re *not* using New Outlook.*  \n\n2. Click into the **Search box** at the top of your mail view (or press `Ctrl + E` to activate search).  \n   ([inboxsearch.app](https://inboxsearch.app/blog/how-to-search-outlook-app/?utm_source=openai))\n\n3. Once activated, a **Search** tab will appear in the ribbon.  \n   ([inboxsearch.app](https://inboxsearch.app/blog/how-to-search-outlook-app/?utm_source=openai))\n\n4. In the *Scope* section, select **All Mailboxes**.  \n   - Other options in that group usually include:  \n     * Current Folder  \n     * Subfolders  \n     * Current Mailbox  \n     * All Outlook Items  \n   ([learn.microsoft.com](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-sg/answers/questions/5855286/searching-in-outlook?utm_source=openai))\n\n5. Enter your search term and Outlook should search across *all your connected accounts* (mailboxes) and any archives if indexed.  \n   ([inboxsearch.app](https://inboxsearch.app/blog/how-to-search-outlook-app/?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\n### \u26a0\ufe0f If \u201cAll Mailboxes\u201d Option Is Missing\n\nSometimes that \u201cAll Mailboxes\u201d setting will not show up. Here are a few causes and fixes:\n\n- **You\u2019re using New Outlook** instead of Classic.  \n  New Outlook does *not* currently support searching across all accounts at once. Each account must be searched separately.  \n  ([inboxsearch.app](https://inboxsearch.app/blog/outlook-search-multiple-accounts/?utm_source=openai))\n\n- **Your search index isn't complete or data files not included** in the search scope.  \n  Outlook relies on Windows Search indexing. If your archive or certain data files aren\u2019t indexed yet, some items won\u2019t show in \u201cAll Mailboxes\u201d searches.  \n  ([support.microsoft.com](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook/troubleshooting-outlook-search-issues?utm_source=openai))\n\n- **Archive mailbox limitations**: Items in auto-expanding archives may not show until you search within those archive folders specifically.  \n  ([support.microsoft.com](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook/troubleshooting-outlook-search-issues?utm_source=openai))\n\n- **A recent update could have changed settings or removed visibility** of the option. If it was there before and suddenly disappeared, that might be the case.  \n  ([learn.microsoft.com](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/4743182/lost-option-to-search-all-mailboxes-in-outlook-cla?forum=outlook_com-all&utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\nIf you tell me which version of Outlook you have (ex: Classic or New, build number if you can, Windows or Mac) I can send you exact steps for your setup. Want me to walk you through checking that?"
    }
]