How do I tell what version of Outlook I have?

How to Tell What Version of Outlook You Have

Outlook is a powerful email client that has been around for decades, and many of us have used it to manage our email and calendars without realizing it. However, there are several versions of Outlook available, and it can be easy to get confused. In this article, we will take a look at how to tell what version of Outlook you have.

Checking Your Outlook Version Using the Add-In

One of the easiest ways to find out what version of Outlook you have is to check your version using the add-in called "Build and Release History" provided by Microsoft. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open the Outlook add-in by clicking on the three dots in the upper right corner of the window and selecting "Settings".
2. Click on "Update & Security".
3. Scroll down to the "Build and Release History" section.
4. Click on the "Check" button next to "Version".

If you are using Outlook 2013, 2016, or 2019, you will see a version number. If you are using Outlook 2010, 2012, or 2013, you will see a version number in the form of "Build" followed by a number. For example, "Build 14.8.10586.15850".

Using the Outlook Online Website

Another way to find out what version of Outlook you have is to check the version number on the Outlook Online website. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open Outlook Online and log in to your account.
2. Click on the gear icon in the upper right corner of the window and select "Preferences".
3. Click on "Email" and then click on "Advanced".
4. Look for the "Build and Release History" section.
5. Check the version number.

Checking Your System’s Version Number

The version number of Outlook can also be found in your system’s error message. If you have the following error message, it means that you are using an older version of Outlook:

MSTLS0_50.DLL [Application Error]

In this error message, MSTLS0_50.DLL is the version number of Outlook.

Verifying Your Version

To verify your version of Outlook, you can try the following steps:

• Open the Outlook add-in by clicking on the three dots in the upper right corner of the window and selecting "Settings".
• Click on "Version".
• Look for the version number of Outlook that matches your computer’s operating system.

Checking Your Operating System Version

The version number of Outlook can also be found in your operating system’s error message. If you have the following error message, it means that you are using an older version of Outlook:

• "Outlook is version [version]."
• This version number is usually the same as the version number of Outlook.

Identifying Outdated Outlook Versions

If you are not sure what version of Outlook you have or if you want to upgrade to a newer version, you can check the following:

• Outlook 2010 and earlier: These versions are no longer supported, and using them will likely cause errors.
• Outlook 2013 and 2016: These versions are still supported, but they may not have all the features and security updates that newer versions of Outlook have.
• Outlook 2019: This version is supported and is recommended for use.

Upgrading to Outlook 365

If you want to upgrade to Outlook 365, the cloud-based version of Outlook, you can do so by following these steps:

1. Go to the Outlook Online website and log in to your account.
2. Click on the gear icon in the upper right corner of the window and select "Account settings".
3. Click on "Help and more" and then click on "Upgrade to Outlook 365".
4. Follow the prompts to upgrade to Outlook 365.

Conclusion

Finding out what version of Outlook you have can be a bit tricky, but there are several ways to do it. By checking the add-in, Outlook Online website, or your system’s error message, you can identify your version of Outlook. If you want to upgrade to a newer version, checking your operating system’s error message and identifying outdated versions can help you make an informed decision.