How do I get the automatic link behavior of Outlook 2007/2010 in Outlook 365?

Question

How do I get the automatic link behavior of Outlook 2007/2010 in Outlook 365?

a b 1

In Outlook 2007 (and I'm pretty sure in 2010 as well), if you type a quote, paste a file path, type another quote and hit enter, then the quotes are removed and the entire path inside the quotes is converted to a link. This works even when there are spaces in the path.
The following screenshot shows the text at multiple stages of this process:

First line is just the quote.
Second line after pasting the path.
Third line after typing the second quote.
Fourth line after hitting enter.

Outlook 365 completely broke this behavior:

First line is just the quote.
Second line after pasting the path.
Third line after typing the second quote.
Fourth line after hitting enter.

The inserted text is immediately and incorrectly converted to a link.
In "File > Options > Mail > Editor Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options", the checkboxes "AutoFormat As You Type > Replace as you type > Internet and network paths with hyperlinks" and "AutoFormat > Replace > Internet and network paths with hyperlinks" are already unchecked!

How do I get rid of the broken behavior of Outlook 365 and how do I get the actually useful behavior of the older versions back?

Also: WHY did you break this in the first place???

Also also: I need to specify tags to post this, but I seriously don't know which ones are applicable. I just selected "office-itpro" but I don't know whether that's correct.

Emily Hua-MSFT 27,796 Reputation points

2022-12-21T00:56:46.983+00:00

Hi @a b
As your issue is more related to Outlook, I would change the tag.
Thanks for your understandings.
Faery Fu-MSFT 19,751 Reputation points Moderator

2022-12-21T05:32:02.007+00:00

Hi @a b ,

Based on my test on my Outlook365, when I uncheck the option, it works.

So, what detailed version of Outlook are you using? (File > Office Account > About Outlook)
Run Outlook in safe mode to see if there is any difference:
Press Win+R, type outlook /safe

Please understand that Support for Office 2010 ended on October 13, 2020 and there will be no extension and no extended security updates.
So we recommend you upgrade to a newer version of Office so you can stay up to date with all the latest features, patches, and security updates.
a b 1 Reputation point

2022-12-22T07:27:10.543+00:00

Nope. I disabled that option and rebooted the entire PC and it still creates the link when inserting, both in safe mode and regular mode. Version is "Microsoft® Outlook® für Microsoft 365 MSO (Version 2211 Build 16.0.15831.20098) 64 Bit".
Note that in safe mode, I also get typographical quotes even though that option is disabled in regular mode, so the safe mode does have an effect, just not on that particular issue.

Regarding Office 2010: If newer versions wouldn't have terrible UI design (they look like an undecipherable sea of gray) and UX (e.g. popups, probably licensing), I'd actually consider upgrading. Until then, I'll stick to my "it simply works" license of 2007 for private use. I am forced to use Outlook 365 for work (we had 2010 previously, which was a joy to work with) and I've had a ton of problems with that.
Faery Fu-MSFT 19,751 Reputation points Moderator

2022-12-27T08:31:44.25+00:00

Hi @a b ,

I'm sorry, 2010 is no longer supported, so I don't have an environment consistent with yours to test.
Have you tried testing on outlook365 on another computer to see if the issue reproduces?
a b 1 Reputation point

2023-02-21T12:50:46.23+00:00

@Faery Fu-MSFT

"I'm sorry, 2010 is no longer supported, so I don't have an environment consistent with yours to test."

That's OK. You don't have to. The problem lies entirely within Outlook 365.

Yes, the issue persists on other computers as well.
a b 1 Reputation point

2023-04-05T09:29:56.79+00:00

@Faery Fu-MSFT Any update on this?
a b 1 Reputation point

2023-10-05T15:38:36.9733333+00:00

@Faery Fu-MSFT Do you have any updates on this? It's been a long time.
a b 1 Reputation point

2024-11-04T21:38:33.87+00:00

Yo! Any updates on this issue with Outlook 365?