As if there weren’t enough problems with the latest Windows 11 24H2 update, now there’s a bug which can block Outlook with Google Workspace Sync. Microsoft tries ‘passing the buck’ to Google.
The bug is in the Windows 11 24H2 update though Microsoft is quick to dismiss the problem as “external” (which it isn’t) and “Resolved” (which it’s not).
Google Workspace Sync is an add-on for Outlook (classic) for Windows which lets it connect to Workspace email, calendar, contacts and more.
Outlook won’t start with the error message:
“‘Cannot Start Microsoft Outlook. Cannot Open the Outlook Window. The set of folders cannot be opened. An unexpected error has occurred. MAPI was unable to load the information service’.”
Worse, the Windows 11 bug means you can’t uninstall or reinstall the Google add-on.
Fixes
Google has acted quickly to workaround a Microsoft Windows bug.
Microsoft says “This issue is resolved by installing the latest version of Google Workspace Sync(4.3.68.0)” then passes the buck to Google saying “you will need to contact Google Workspace Support for more information on the resolution.”
In the meantime, Microsoft has put a ‘compatibility hold’ on pushing the 24H2 update to machines which have the Google Workspace add-on.
Microsoft’s advice isn’t their best effort, in particular this convoluted and contradictory ‘resolution’.
“ Devices which are encountering this issue will need to install the latest version of Google Workspace Sync prior to updating to Windows 11, version 24H2.”
What? The only devices getting this problem have already updated to 24H2 but Microsoft’s advice is to reinstall the add-on BEFORE updating to 24H2 (which the customer has already done).
We’ve said it before, avoid Windows 11 24H2 update, at least for now. It’s quickly become the ‘swiss cheese’ of Microsoft updates … with plenty of holes.
