How do you search your Mailbox folder in Outlook 2010?

Question

When I click on any folder in Outlook 2010, I have a search box on the upper right that lets me search it if I desire, but when I click on Mailbox, the topmost folder, there is no search box.

How do I search through ALL the mail that I have in one fell swoop?

Solution

This should be easy with the search tab up top (you must enable Windows Search first).

After clicking on your mailbox, try the All Subfolders or All Outlook Items button in the search tab. The shortcut Ctrl + E should also allow you to search your mailbox. If it does not find anything it will offer to search all of your mail.

Comments

[Lance Roberts]

I don't have a Search tab on my Outlook ribbon, do you have a custom one, or is there some special way to add it? I tried going to Customize Ribbon but there was no Search tab to choose. Ctrl+e doesn't work if Mailbox is selected (though it works for the other folders).

[Lance Roberts]

I've found that the Search tab only comes up when you click in the Search box or hit Ctrl+e, but it only enables the Refine category when you have enabled Windows Search (which really sucks). BUT having done this it still doesn't work with the Mailbox folder.

[John T]

@Lance, even the crappy part? =)

[Lance Roberts]

@John, yeh, you have to enable Windows Search to get the "from:" option. I just a few seconds ago found out how to get the old search, you have to click on the small dog (Search Companion) in Windows Search and it takes you to the old search.

[Lance Roberts]

@John, sorry I took so long to accept, thanks for the help.