Microsoft Admits to Outlook Typing Delays: Reasons Unveiled
Revamped Article:
Feeling hassled by the laggy email composing experience in the Outlook app for Windows as part of Office 365? Turns out, you weren't alone.
Over the months, users experienced a plethora of issues with the app, especially when typing emails, resulting in significantly high CPU utilization. To address this complaint, Microsoft finally stepped up.
Earlier in April, Microsoft released a cautionary page titled "CPU spikes when typing in classic Outlook for Windows," as reported by PCWorld.
"During email composition in classic Outlook for Windows, you might observe the CPU spiking up to around 30-50% at times, and consequently, increasing power consumption. You can observe this if Task Manager is open while you type," the warning note read.
Shortly after the warning, Microsoft updated the page, promising a solution in the works.
The updated page detailed the estimated release dates for the fix, based on the respective Office channels:
- Beta Testers: A fix is expected to drop early May 2025. You can check for the latest build on Update History for Office Beta Channel – Office release notes.
- Current Channel Preview Users: The fix is scheduled for mid-May 2025. Update history for Office Current Channel (Preview) – Office release notes will help you check for the build.
- General Users: The fix is slated for the end of May 2025. Check the Update history for Microsoft 365 Apps (listed by date) – Office release notes for the latest build.
For Semi-Annual Channel users, Microsoft has suggested a temporary workaround involving reversion to an older version of the software. Although Microsoft advises against it due to potential loss of security updates, it has provided a step-by-step procedure:
- Locate the build of Version 2405 for the respective channel you are on from Update history for Microsoft 365 Apps (listed by date) – Office release notes.
- Open a Command Prompt (Run as Administrator).
- Enter or paste the command below and replace the build from Step 1:"" /update user updatetoversion=16.0.17628.20144
The alternative method involves using the Office Deployment Tool to switch to an earlier version of Office.
Stay tuned for updates, and keep an eye on your update channels for the latest builds!
[1] Microsoft's official release schedule for the classic Outlook CPU spike fix – https://officecdn-a.akamaihd.net/officeupdates/updates/UpdateHistoryOffice365_en_US_2109.html
[2] Observed improvements in CPU use for select Outlook users post-May 13, 2025 updates – https://www.computerworld.com/article/3754368/microsoft-patches-cpu-intensive-classic-outlook-for-windows-email-composition-bug.html
[3] Further updates expected for the roll-out of the classic Outlook CPU spike fix by the end of May 2025 – https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/classic-outlook-cpu-spikes-when-typing-53fdb11d-1de3-472e-a2d2-ccd36320bab2
- Users struggling with high CPU utilization in the Outlook app for Windows may find relief in the upcoming updates, as Microsoft has provided a schedule for the release of a fix.
- Beta testers can anticipate the fix for the classic Outlook CPU spike issue around early May 2025, while current channel preview users can expect it in mid-May 2025.
- General users will receive the fix by the end of May 2025, for which they should check the update history for Microsoft 365 Apps (listed by date) – Office release notes.
- For semi-annual channel users, Microsoft suggests reversion to an older software version as a temporary workaround until the fix is available, but caution that it could lead to loss of security updates.
