Outlook Save As... dialog box hangs while waiting to connet to network share.

Question

Outlook Save As... dialog box hangs while waiting to connet to network share.

Matthew Redding Technology 1

Outlook save attachments - "Trying to connect to <server share>" after latest Windows updates.

After first connection, then the dialog pops open right away every time, unless Outlook is closed, then it will hang on the first attachment that you try to save.

Windows 10 PC in domain environment running on Windows Server 2019.

tjtechguy12 1 Reputation point

2022-07-25T17:45:57.517+00:00

We have started seeing this issue as well when saving to a network share from Outlook or Excel. It appears to be related to an Office update. Has anyone found a fix for it?
CH TN 6 Reputation points

2022-07-27T17:18:33.567+00:00

I have multiple users seeing this as well, myself included, on multiple computers (so far, I've tried on four different computers with four different users signed in). Version shows as Microsoft® Outlook® for Microsoft 365 MSO (Version 2206 Build 16.0.15330.20260) 32-bit, which is apparently the latest, and it's on Windows 10 21H2. In our case, the July Windows updates have NOT yet been pushed to our computers, which differentiates us from the OP in that regard. Server our Home drives is on is Windows Server 2012 R2.

First report came in July 13, but I thought it was just a computer needing a reboot (which seemed at the moment to fix it), and then the user went on vacation. I learned yesterday that it was still doing it for her and another user, then started further testing.
CH TN 6 Reputation points

2022-08-12T20:35:24.203+00:00

Here's the answer you've been looking for, from someone who's been looking for the answer for weeks now...

Disable the WebClient Service service (stopping it doesn't work as it will just start back up). That's the closest thing to a fix right now, and is the workaround presented by Allison A (a Microsoft Agent) on page 4 of this discussion:

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/msoffice/forum/all/trying-to-connect-message-when-saving-in-excel-365/d00cf17d-4888-4666-b149-d40f3e351da8?page=4

I just deployed this workaround via GPO directed at Computers.

Computer Configuration-->Policies-->Windows Settings-->Security Settings-->System Services.

Select WebClient, check mark by "Define this policy setting" and set "Select Service Startup Mode" to Disabled.

Microsoft has done a HORRIBLE job communicating about this issue.

4 answers

Your answer

tjtechguy12 1 Reputation point

2022-07-25T17:45:57.517+00:00

We have started seeing this issue as well when saving to a network share from Outlook or Excel. It appears to be related to an Office update. Has anyone found a fix for it?
CH TN 6 Reputation points

2022-07-27T17:18:33.567+00:00

I have multiple users seeing this as well, myself included, on multiple computers (so far, I've tried on four different computers with four different users signed in). Version shows as Microsoft® Outlook® for Microsoft 365 MSO (Version 2206 Build 16.0.15330.20260) 32-bit, which is apparently the latest, and it's on Windows 10 21H2. In our case, the July Windows updates have NOT yet been pushed to our computers, which differentiates us from the OP in that regard. Server our Home drives is on is Windows Server 2012 R2.

First report came in July 13, but I thought it was just a computer needing a reboot (which seemed at the moment to fix it), and then the user went on vacation. I learned yesterday that it was still doing it for her and another user, then started further testing.
CH TN 6 Reputation points

2022-08-12T20:35:24.203+00:00

Here's the answer you've been looking for, from someone who's been looking for the answer for weeks now...

Disable the WebClient Service service (stopping it doesn't work as it will just start back up). That's the closest thing to a fix right now, and is the workaround presented by Allison A (a Microsoft Agent) on page 4 of this discussion:

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/msoffice/forum/all/trying-to-connect-message-when-saving-in-excel-365/d00cf17d-4888-4666-b149-d40f3e351da8?page=4

I just deployed this workaround via GPO directed at Computers.

Computer Configuration-->Policies-->Windows Settings-->Security Settings-->System Services.

Select WebClient, check mark by "Define this policy setting" and set "Select Service Startup Mode" to Disabled.

Microsoft has done a HORRIBLE job communicating about this issue.

Answer 1

Gorazd Taciga 6

Hi

Try to revert Office to previous version. With version ( 16.0.14931.20120), we have solved the problem.

Answer 2

Faery Fu-MSFT 19,751 Moderator

Hi @Matthew Redding Technology ,

What is the detailed version of Outlook(File > Office Account > About)? Please upgrade Outlook to the latest version(File > Office Account > Update Options > Update Now)

To verify if the issue is related to some add-ins, open Outlook in safe mode and check if the issue continues: Press windows+R and type outlook /safe in run command.

Besides, corrupted profile may have a impact on Outlook performance, it is suggested to create a new profile from control panel: Control Panel > Mail > Show profile > Add, then re-connect your account

If above doesn't help, you may need perform a clean boot and test if the issue continues.
Refer to the link below to know how to start the computer in clean boot: How to perform a clean boot in Windows

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Faery Fu-MSFT 19,751 Reputation points Moderator

2022-07-26T02:14:53.717+00:00

Hi @Matthew Redding Technology ,
Is there any update on this thread? If the issue has been resolved, please mark the helpful replies as answers, this will make answer searching in the forum easier and be beneficial to other community members as well. Thanks for your understanding.
Faery Fu-MSFT 19,751 Reputation points Moderator

2022-08-01T05:29:10.71+00:00

Hi @Matthew Redding Technology ,
Just checking in to see if above information was helpful. If you have any further updates on this issue, please feel free to post back. If you think my reply is helpful to you, please remember to mark it as an answer. Warm thanks.

Answer 3

Daan Tholenaars 1

Hi everyone,

I just updated from Version 2206 Build 15330.20264 to Version 2207 build 15427.20194 and I still have this issue.
Has anyone found a solution yet?

Answer 4

SpaceCaptain87 6

Downgrade Office:

cd C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\ClickToRun

officec2rclient.exe /update user updatetoversion=16.0.14931.20120

Disable updates:

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Outlook Save As... dialog box hangs while waiting to connet to network share.

4 answers

Your answer