Preview links in Outlook (New) in Windows 11 not working

Question

Preview links in Outlook (New) in Windows 11 not working

Jim Dale 80

Settings | Mail | Compose and Reply | Link preview

The "Preview links in email" box is ticked.

The "Learn More" link doesn't respond.

For a long time this worked, but lately it does not. Is this possibly a bug in Outlook, or is there a "fix"?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

0 comments

Answer accepted by question author

Kal-D 7,155 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hi Jim Dale,

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A.

In the new Outlook for Windows, features such as Link Preview and embedded “Learn more” links are part of the Outlook web experience and depend on embedded web components (Microsoft Edge WebView2). When multiple web‑rendered elements stop responding, it’s often related to a local app state, cache issue, or something blocking embedded web content.

Please try the following:

In Settings > Mail > Compose and reply, turn Link preview OFF, fully close Outlook, reopen it, then turn the option back ON and test pasting a full URL.
Reset the new Outlook app: Windows Settings > Apps > Installed apps > Outlook (new) > Advanced options > Reset.
Confirm that Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime is installed and up to date, as the new Outlook depends on it for web‑based content rendering.

Additionally, please check whether Link Preview works for the same account in Outlook on the web. If it works there, the issue is likely local to the Windows app rather than account or service‑side.

For reference: Use Link Preview in Outlook.com and Outlook on the web

Please let me know if this proves useful to you, or if you would like further assistance.

I'm looking forward to your reply.

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment”.

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Jim Dale 80 Reputation points

2026-02-22T21:12:35.9233333+00:00

Thank you for the suggestions. I had high hopes for the first one, but, alas, no joy. I will be trying your other recommendations.

Since you are so helpful, I might take this opportunity to describe anther long-standing frustration. I have no idea why, but a link has become embedded in my Archived folder. It seems to be part of a draft once sent to a correspondent and containing some attached photos. I have deleted it, and moved it to every other folder, but it just won't go away. I have wondered whether a registry entry might be involved, but the registry is far above my pay grade. Any ideas?

2 additional answers

Your answer

Jim Dale 80 Reputation points

2026-02-22T21:12:35.9233333+00:00

Thank you for the suggestions. I had high hopes for the first one, but, alas, no joy. I will be trying your other recommendations.

Since you are so helpful, I might take this opportunity to describe anther long-standing frustration. I have no idea why, but a link has become embedded in my Archived folder. It seems to be part of a draft once sent to a correspondent and containing some attached photos. I have deleted it, and moved it to every other folder, but it just won't go away. I have wondered whether a registry entry might be involved, but the registry is far above my pay grade. Any ideas?

Answer 1

Jim Dale 80

Thank you for the suggestions. I had high hopes for the first one, but, alas, no joy. I will be trying your other recommendations.

Since you are so helpful, I might take this opportunity to describe anther long-standing frustration. I have no idea why, but a link has become embedded in my Archived folder. I seems to be part of a draft once sent to a correspondent and containing some attached photos. I have deleted it, and moved it to every other folder, but it just won't go away. I have wondered whether a registry entry might be involved, but the registry is far above my pay grade. Any ideas?

Jim Dale 80 Reputation points

2026-02-23T15:53:47.6766667+00:00

Is this possibly relevant?

Settings > General > About Outlook [Should this be Outlook (New)?]

Microsoft Outlook Version: 1.2026.210.300

Client Version: 20260213001.06

WebView2 Version: 145.0.3800.70 (Stable)

Session ID: [Moderator note: PII removed]
Kal-D 7,155 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-02-23T21:41:25.9666667+00:00
Hi Jim Dale,

Thanks for the update and the version info.

In the new Outlook for Windows, it’s normal for the About page to show Microsoft Outlook (it doesn’t always label itself as “Outlook (new)” there).

For the “stuck/embedded link” in Archive that won’t go away: this is usually not a registry issue. It’s most likely a stuck/corrupted item (often draft/attachment-related) or a sync/cache problem.

Please try:

Delete it in Outlook on the web (same account) from Archive, then also remove it from Deleted Items (and “Recover deleted items” if available). This removes the server copy directly.

Reset new Outlook: Windows Settings > Apps > Installed apps > Outlook (new) > Advanced options > Reset.

If it returns, remove and re-add the account in new Outlook to force a clean re-sync.

Note: Resetting new Outlook clears the app’s local data on this PC. You may need to sign in again and re-check settings/preferences afterward.

Please try these steps and let me know how it goes.

I'm looking forward to your reply.
Jim Dale 80 Reputation points

2026-02-24T00:59:22.4266667+00:00

I am not familiar with Outlook on the Web. I did look for it and found that it seems to be accessed via Office/Outlook. I don't use MS Office, though I use an old standalone version of Word, a version that is no longer supported. I guess that I am just out of luck.
Kal-D 7,155 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-02-24T21:50:49.6+00:00

Hi Jim Dale,

You don’t need Microsoft Office to use Outlook on the web. It’s simply Outlook in a browser.

If your email address is @outlook.com / @hotmail.com / @live.com, open any browser and sign in at Outlook.live.com.

The reason I suggested this is to check whether the “stuck” item in Archive exists in the mailbox itself (server-side) or is only showing in the Windows app (cache/view issue). If you can see it on the web, try deleting it there and then removing it from Deleted Items as well.
Jim Dale 80 Reputation points

2026-02-25T13:01:25.7833333+00:00

"You need to create an Outlook.com email address to continue. We'll add it to your account as an alias."

I'm not sure about doing this. I'm always concerned not to do something I don't understand or can't "un-do."
Jim Dale 80 Reputation points

2026-02-25T13:04:39.59+00:00

You need to create an Outlook.com email address to continue. We'll add it to your account as an alias.

I'm not sure about doing this. I'm always concerned not to do something I don't understand or can't "un-do."
Kal-D 7,155 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-02-25T21:42:03.0566667+00:00
Hi Jim Dale,

That message means Outlook on the web is trying to set up an Outlook.com mailbox address (an “alias”) on your Microsoft account so you can use the Outlook.com web mailbox. An alias is simply an additional email address tied to the same account. Microsoft does allow you to add or remove aliases later from your Microsoft account settings, but it’s still smart not to create one unless you’re comfortable keeping it.

For reference: Add or remove an email alias in Outlook.com

If you’d rather not create an Outlook.com alias, you’re not stuck, we can do the same “server vs app” check another way:

If your mailbox is Gmail/Yahoo/ISP/IMAP, sign in to that provider’s webmail and see if the “stuck” item appears there. If it does, delete it there (and empty Trash).

If the item only appears in the Windows app, it points more to a local cache/sync display issue, and the Reset step you’re planning is still the right next move.

Answer 2

It seems you are having trouble with the link preview feature in Outlook on Windows 11, despite having the "Preview links in email" option enabled. Unfortunately, the specific issue you described is not directly addressed in the provided context. However, general troubleshooting steps for hyperlink issues in Outlook include resetting Internet Explorer settings and ensuring that Outlook is set as the default application for handling links.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, it might be beneficial to check for any updates to Outlook or Windows that could fix potential bugs. For ongoing issues, contacting Microsoft Support may provide additional assistance.