14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has just released a patch for major bug in Outlook 2011 email client spotted on Apple's new OS X El Capitan version that caused the application to stop responding when starting the synchronization process.
While also El Capitan adopters are also experiencing problems with Microsoft Office 2016, Microsoft is fixing bugs one at a time, so today's it's the turn of Outlook 2011 to finally get a patch aimed at Apple's customers.
Basically, the application was hanging whenever it was trying to connect to the server and pull emails, and the very same behavior was confirmed not only by users, but by Microsoft itself.
In an advisory posted in late September, Microsoft explains the problem:
“Shortly after you start Microsoft Outlook for Mac 2011 on Mac OS X El Capitan (version 10.11), Outlook hangs when it tries to sync with the server. The Spinning Wait cursor is displayed, and the application status is displayed as 'Not Responding.'”
How to get the patch
What's very important to note is that this issue only occurs when you're are working online and the application has an account configured to try to get emails for. Otherwise, such as the cases when you are offline or where no accounts are added, no problem is experienced.
The patch, which pushes Microsoft's Office for Mac 2011 to version 14.5.6, can be downloaded manually from this page. It applies to the following versions:
| Microsoft Office for Mac Academic 2011 |
| Microsoft Office for Mac Home and Business 2011 |
| Microsoft Office for Mac Home and Business 2011 Home Use Program |
| Microsoft Office for Mac Home and Student 2011 |
| Microsoft Office for Mac Standard 2011 |