NEO Pro Changelog

What's new in NEO Pro 9.0 Build 9040/9041

Nov 27, 2023

Introducing Dark Mode feature:
NEO Pro 9 introduces Dark Mode feature which can be enabled from Tools, Options, General tab.
At first start, NEO Pro 9 offers the option to enable Dark Mode (or remain with regular color settings).
After selecting Dark Mode, NEO Pro will restart to update all color settings.
Detailed color settings used by the Dark Mode feature can be specified under Tools, Options, Format tab.
After starting NEO Pro 9 first time, a pop-up window will provide the option to enable this feature; if selected, NEO Pro will restart to set all color settings correctly.
Dark Mode feature can be switched on/off from Tools, Options, General tab.
New Features:
The following new features are introduced as part of the Dark Mode functionality:
Detailed color definitions
On the Format tab under Tools, Options user definable colors have been added for best Dark Mode experience: background color of all panes and color of unread items. Also, in Dark Mode, the text color in all panes will follow color settings of 'received messages' (normally white or very light)
'Apply Color' button:
To check your Dark Mode settings, an Apply Color button has been added to the Format tab under Tools, Options to apply defined colors without leaving this window.
Gridlines in message list adapted/optional:
In Dark Mode, gridlines in message list are adapted to the dark background and are less pronounced.
Also in single-line message list, these gridlines are optional: go to Tools, Options then General tab (in multi-line message list these gridlines will always show).
Other elements adapted in Dark Mode:
Searches are showing the search term in highlighted text but now with a dark font for better readability.
Pop-up windows for the 'New Message' alerts are showing in Dark Mode style.
Issues Resolved:
The following issues have been resolved since the first beta release of NEO Pro 9:
Scrollbars styling
In Dark Mode, scrollbars of NEO panes will now render in Dark Mode style.
Readability:
Font definition in Dark Mode has been optimized for readability.
Other Dark Mode issues:
Under options it is clarified that NEO Pro will restart after changing the Dark Mode option
Various smaller white areas have been resolved to provide a smoother experience.
Other resolved issues:
Starting with Outlook
Outlook did not start NEO Pro if so defined under Options in NEO Pro.
Rendering messages:
Several issues with rendering messages in the preview pane have been resolved.
Starting NEO Pro:
Starting NEO Pro while holding Shift key, occassionally caused Access Violation errors.
Folder clean-up:
Sometimes empty folders could not be removed from the NEO Pro sytem.
Snoozed Folder issue:
If 'Snoozed Items' folder was removed from Hot view, then folder reappeared after restart.
HTML messages:
In rare cases, part of HTML did not show using the NEO Pro HTML rendering engine.
Known Issues:
Color of title bar:
The color of NEO Pro's title bar is controlled by Windows settings: for a darker color, go to Windows Settings (Windows key + I) then to Personalization, Color, Accent Color then check 'Show accent color on title bars and window borders'.
Columns headings:
For a message list without scrollbar, occassionally a white box shows where the scrollbar would normally be located; this can be resolved by manually widening the right-most column (either move it to the right, or enlarge this column); thereafter this white box shouldn't show anymore.
Color definitions:
For the background color, sometimes predefined window color definitions do not render properly (e.g., ButtonShadow); in this case, using the 'custom' entry, any preferred color can be defined.

New in NEO Pro 8.04 Build 8260/8261 (Jun 22, 2021)

New in NEO Pro 8.04 Build 8220/8221 (Dec 7, 2020)

NEW:
Introducing a new, modern, lightweight, and fast SQL database for NEO Pro's catalog
NEO Pro 8 introduces a new, modern SQL based database system for NEO's catalog. After migrating to NEO Pro 8, the Actian Btrieve 12 product is not needed anymore (and if so required can be uninstalled). The new database system is not requiring a separate license so the license of NEO Pro suffices to run the product.
After starting NEO Pro 8 for first time, the Btrieve 12 database is migrated to the new SQL format; after this NEO Pro will force a restart followed by a rebuild of the catalog. Without this rebuild the new catalog cannot be used. Make sure to allow sufficient time to run the rebuild of the catalog. For this first migration NEO Pro 8 needs the Btrieve database engine - thereafter, Btrieve 12 will not be used anymore by NEO Pro 8.
NEO Pro 8 is not changing the Btrieve 12 database files used by NEO Pro 7. As long as the Btrieve 12 product has not been uninstalled, NEO Pro 7 can be used in parallel to (but not at the same time as) NEO Pro 8.
The new database system of NEO Pro 8 makes the product ready for the decades ahead.
Rebuilding of the catalog and searches are, depending on exact machine configurations, significantly faster (40% - 60% faster from the tests done on different systems).
Native 64 bit SQL configuration - no further need of the in-house developed interface file to link 64 bit NEO Pro to 32 bit Btrieve.
NEW FEATURES:
Recalculate folder counts:
Occasionally folder counts were inaccurate. Under Folder Properties the folder counts can now be recalculated
Migration of Btrieve catalog:
NEO Pro 8 will attempt to migrate the Btrieve catalog at first startup or upon opening an existing Btrieve catalog. In case of problems with the Btrieve engine, this migration can be cancelled after which a new catalog will then be created.
Full logging to support diagnostics:
Option for Full Logging now includes more regular logging as well for better diagnostics; contact [email protected] to enable Full Logging in case of specific errors
Issues Resolved:
Database issues related to Btrieve
Database errors related to licensing of the Btrieve 12 product will not occur anymore (a.o. database error 161).
Product stability:
A number of technical changes have been implemented to improve product stability.
Busy opening a message:
Improvements to prevent 'Outlook busy opening a message' have been implemented.
Product closing:
Closing NEO Pro caused occasionally errors; the closing process is now improved.
Delays:
Improvements to prevent occasional delay in opening a message from NEO Pro.

New in NEO Pro 7.1 Build 7120 (Feb 22, 2018)

nooze Until Later... feature introduced in this version
When you like to postpone an e-mail until later, click the Snooze Until Later... button on the Home tab of the Ribbon and select the Date/Time when the item needs to re-appear. The item will then be removed from the inbox and Active Mail folder. When time elapses, the item is moved back into the inbox and Active Mail folder and placed in green color on top of the list for maximum visibility. To control this functionality two new (virtual) NEO Pro folders are introduced: Snoozed Items (on Status tab and in Hot View) and Snooze elapsed Items (on Status tab). For further details see following Knowledge Base article: http://www.emailorganizer.com/kb/T9010.htm#SnoozeUntilLater.
Introducing a second message list for better overview of ongoing communication
A second message list is introduced showing content of the Correspondent or Bulk mail folder from the item of the primary message list. This gives an immediate overview of all messages exchanged with this person while focussing on the current message. From the second message list messages can be selected, opened, replied or with drag-drop attached to a new message - the usual actions also available for the primary message list.
When starting this version first time, the new message list will open and take half the available space - size of the message list can be changed by dragging the border. The additional message list can be minimized by double-clicking the border between the two lists. Also, the 2nd list can be switched on/off using the extra button on the Home tab of the NEO Pro ribbon ('Correspondent list pane') or by clicking the shortcut Alt+P.
NEO Pro icons resizing with changing font size
When changing font size in NEO Pro (under Tools, Options, Reading Pane tab) now also the NEO Pro icons are being resized for better visibility/usability.
NEO Pro font size adopts to screen resolution with first start of NEO Pro
When starting NEO Pro for the first time font size adopts automatically to screen resolution. After this the NEO font size can always be changed from Tools, Options, Reading Pane tab.

New in NEO Pro 7.00 Build 7040 / 7.1 Build 7090 Beta (Jan 4, 2018)

New Features:
Icons in NEO Pro now resize with resizing font size under Tools, Options, Rading Pane tab, Font Size NEO Panes.
When starting NEO Pro for the first time font size adopts automatically to screen resolution. After this it can always be tuned from Tools, Options, Reading Pane tab.
Build 7070/7071 introduced a new functionality 'Snooze Until Later'. When an e-mail can or needs to be postponed until later, click the Snooze Until Later button on the Home tab of the Ribbon and select the Date/Time when the item needs to re-appear. The item will then be removed from the inbox and Active Mail folder. When time expires, the item is moved back into the inbox and Active Mail folder and placed on top of the list for maximum visibility. To control this functionality two new (virtual) NEO Pro folders are introduced: Snoozed Items (on Status tab and in Hot View) and Snooze elapsed Items (on Status tab). For further details see following KB article: http://www.emailorganizer.com/kb/T9010.htm#SnoozeUntilLater.
For full details on all new features please see the What's New for this new version
Issues addressed and solved in build 7090/7091:
Clicking links in the Tray Pop-up window (for new e-mails) moved to wrong section in NEO Pro
Mouse scrolling not working in File to Any Folder window is solved.
Errors when importing saved layouts are now solved
Various actions caused jumping focus when in Conversation View
Unwanted collapsing of conversations in Conversation View has been mostly corrected
Resizing the NEO Pro main window caused columns to minimize and not being properly restored
Switching screens with different resolutions caused the NEO Pro columns to be wrongly sized
Frequent assertion errors have been resolved
Various windows now scale properly with changed NEO font size
Several issues resolved coming from feedback on earlier beta release related to 'Snoozed Item' functionality.
Snoozed Items not restored properly when coming from hibernation.
Snooze Until Later commands not visible in Toolbar User Interface mode (as opposed to Ribbon mode)

New in NEO Pro 7.1 Build 7070 Beta (Oct 23, 2017)

New in NEO Pro 7.0 Build 7020 / 7021 (Apr 20, 2017)

New in NEO Pro 7.0 (Apr 20, 2017)

New in NEO Pro 6.00 Build 6141 (Jun 30, 2016)

NEW:
NEO Pro now compatible with 64 bit Outlook:
NEO Pro 6 introduces compatibility with 64 bit Outlook version. You can now run NEO Pro no matter what Outlook version you have running. Please note, bitness of your Outlook is independent of the bitness of your computer or operating system - e.g. 64 bit Windows 10 can run either 32 or 64 bit Outlook. Check here to find bitness of your Outlook program.
Revised/updated NEO Pro User Interface:
NEO Pro 6 introduces a revised and updated NEO Pro user interface matching the look and feel of the installed Outlook version. When starting up the first time, NEO Pro will set its user interface to match your current Outlook version - if you prefer another look and feel, you can change the User Interface Ribbon Style from the View tab in NEO Pro.
Changes to the user interface also means new NEO Pro Layout files - your previous exported layout files cannot be used anymore. Therefore, after starting up NEO Pro 6, export your current layout settings into a new Layout file by going to the View tab, Layout command then Export Layout.
Fully compatible with Windows 10 and Outlook 2016:
NEO Pro 6 is now fully compatible with Windows 7, 8 and 10 and all Outlook versions (32 and 64 bit).
IMPROVEMENTS:
Folder Name in message listing:
The Folder Name column in the message list was hard to read as the most relevant part was mostly outside the width of the column. Also sorting on this column was incorrect. This column now is right-aligned so the most relevant portion of the folder name is visible. Also sorting on the folder name is now correct.
Reset NEO user interface:
The NEO Pro user interface could already be reset by starting with Ctrl+Shift keys pressed. The interface can now also rebuild from scratch by starting NEO Pro and holding only the Ctrl key. A dialog asks for confirmation before resetting or rebuilding the user interface.
Increased font size of NEO panes:
Further improved handling of increasd font size for various windows in NEO Pro.
ISSUES RESOLVED:
NEO Pro fails to start on some configurations:
On some configurations NEO Pro fails to start after recent updates and closes as soon as a catalog is being opened. This now has been resolved.
Increased font size removed Clear button from NEO panes:
After changing font size for the NEO panes, the Clear button in these panes disappeared. This has been corrected.
Regular 'Cannot open clipboard' error:
A recent Windows update triggered this error frequently in latest NEO Pro version. This has been resolved.
Synchronization error when running off-line with Exchange Server:
This has been resolved.
Registry key errors during install/repair:
During installation or repair of NEO Pro, benign errors on writing certain registry keys could occur. This nuisance has been resolved.
Some minor bug fixing:
Some minor bugs encoutered in the latest NEO Pro 5 version have been resolved.

New in NEO Pro 5.04 (Aug 4, 2015)

New in NEO Pro 5.03 (Aug 4, 2015)

New Features:
Import/Export functionality for Outlook categories:
Using a semicolon separated CSV file, all Outlook categories can now be exported or imported to easily synchronize categories across multiple machines. If needed, the CSV file can be manually edited before importing into Outlook. Click the Application Button to access this new functionality.
Non-licensed users cannot import and can export only 5 categories.
Categories now stored in PST for Outlook 2007 and later:
NEO Pro now stores the categories in same location as Outlook does: in the registry for Outlook 2003 (and earlier) and in the PST for Outlook 2007 and later. This automatically synchronizes the categories available in NEO with those in Outlook (and the other way around). See below for further improvements in category management.
Multiple Exchange Mailboxes now allowed in NEO's Catalog:
Outlook 2010 has introduced possibility to open multiple exchange mailboxes within Outlook. Using NEO Pro 5.03 these additional exchange mailboxes (not being delegate mailboxes) can now be added to the Catalog for a seamless view on all your messages.
Exclude an Outlook folder from Active Mail:
When using Active Mail all new mail will show up in the Active Mail folder until the Active Mail flag is removed (F12). Only when classifying certain messages as Bulk, can mail be excluded from the Active Mail folder. To make this much more flexible, NEO Pro 5.03 gives you the possibility to exclude any Outlook folder from Active Mail: right-click the Outlook folder within NEO, select Folder Properties and set the proper Exclude option. Using an Outlook rule combined with a separate Outlook folder, the user now has full control which messages he wants to show up in the Active Mail folder. When not yet using Active Mail, you can do so by going to Tools | Options | Workflow tab and set the appropriate options; the Active Mail folder sits under the Status tab from where you can make this folder visible in the Hot view.
New virtual folders:
Following new virtual folders are introduced in this version (a rebuild is necessary to populate these folders):
Date Folder: Last 30 Days. Containing all messages from the last 30 days.
Status Folder: No Category. Containing all messages that do not have a category assigned.
Status Folder: All Items. Containing all items within the entire Outlook scope.
Improvements:
Improved Category picker (Ctrl+T) functionality:
The category picker's checkbox �Add all categories to master list� has improved functionality: when selected all categories will be added to the master list but also any new category will be added to the master category list to maintain consistency between Outlook and NEO. It is recommended to keep this setting 'On'.
'Close NEO when Outlook closes' now working in all configurations:
Selecting 'Close NEO when Outlook closes' from Tools | Options, was not working in all configurations. This has been corrected. When selected there is no need to first close NEO when closing Outlook as closing Outlook will force NEO to close as well.
Rebuilding Catalog saves Hot view:
When rebuilding the Catalog, the Hot view was not maintained correctly (Outlook folders in the Hot view disappeared after the rebuild). NEO Pro now saves the Hot view when doing a rebuild and restores the view when finished.
Cleaning up empty NEO folders:
Empty NEO folders were not always removed. This has been improved.
Improved performance of Quick File Recent menu:
Occasionally there was a slight delay in showing the Quick File Recent menu. This has been improved.
Hiding system messages:
The hidden Outlook message class IPM.Configuration.Autocomplete is not shown anymore within NEO.
Improved error messages:
Error messages during synchronization have been improved to show Folder Name next to Folder Id.
Issues Resolved:
Send/Receive button in NEO Pro when running Outlook 2013 not working:
This has been resolved.
Occasional NEO Pro shutdown issue when running Outlook 2013:
This has been resolved.
Internal hyperlinks not working:
Hyperlinks to internal network drives were failing when clicked within NEO Pro. This has been resolved.
Delayed cleanup Unread Folder not working during DST:
Delayed cleanup of Unread Folder (on the Status Tab) was not working with DST (summer time). This has been resolved.
Fast sync errors in Outlook 2010:
When running Outlook 2010 in online mode, the Fast Synchronize function caused sync errors. This has been resolved.
Issues resolved from beta version:
Drag-drop of email messages resolved:
Beta version of NEO Pro 5.03 had problems with drag-drop of email messages from NEO's message list. This now is solved in this released version.

New in NEO Pro 5.00 Build 530 (Nov 12, 2010)

New Features:
Redesigned User Interface:
A redesigned user interface is introduced in this new version offering both a Ribbon interface as well as traditional toolbars. The Ribbon interface will be default after starting NEO Pro 5. To change to toolbars, go to Options on the Tools tab and switch off the Ribbon. A few commands and filters are by default available on the Quick Access Toolbar. Other commands (e.g. other frequently used filters) can be easily added to the Quick Access toolbar by right-clicking them and selecting 'Add to Quick Access Toolbar'.
Conversation View:
NEO Pro 5 introduces a conversation view showing messages in their email thread. This conversation view equals the 'Search for Conversation' results but makes them available for every message directly in all NEO views. The icon to toggle the conversation view is directly available on the Quick Access Toolbar in the Ribbon interface. With conversation view on, an additional column is positioned to the left of the messages indicating messages with a conversation attached. Clicking the '+' in front of a message will expand the individual conversation. Number of messages in the thread is shown behind the subject in the message listing. On the view tab (or right-clicking a message) all conversations can be expanded or collapsed at once. Background colors are used to separate different conversations. With message listing in compact layout (with the subject on a 2nd line - see below), conversation childs will not show the subject as this will be equal to the conversation parent.
The Conversation Index can be rebuild manually from the NEO Button | Catalog | Rebuild Conversation Index menu.
Background colors for parent and underlying messages can be defined by going to Tools | Options | Format tab.
Conversation Integrity:
Together with the Conversation View a new option is introduced under Tools | Options | Miscellaneous: 'Conversation Integrity' (Default 'On'). When enabled certain actions when executed on the 'parent' of a conversation will also be executed on all underlying 'childs' of the conversation. These actions are: Add and remove categories, Status changes (Active / Read / Keep), Filing actions and Delete. Actions executed on underlying 'childs' will only act on the single message.
Message listing - Compact Layout:
NEO Pro 4 introduced automatic resizing of columns to fit the message listing within the available width when reading pane was positioned to the right. Optimizing further the user interface, NEO Pro 5 introduces a compact layout of the message listing showing the message subject on a 2nd line. Switching to compact layout is by default set to automatic: with reducing size of the message listing, the layout will automatically switch to compact below a certain width. On the Tools | Options | Reading Pane tab, settings for compact layout can be defined (automatic / always / never).
Notes with messages:
A frequently requested functionality is the ability to add personal notes to a message. This now is available in NEO Pro 5. The reading pane will show a 'Notes' icon. Clicking this icon (or Ctrl+Alt+N) toggles the 'Notes' pane either below or to the right of the reading pane - dragging the border will change size of the Note. Notes are automatically saved when clicking anywhere outside the note pane. Right-clicking the note formatting and other options become available. Notes are saved locally with the catalog and will never be included with a message reply or forward. To delete a note, right-click the Notes icon in the reading pane and select 'Delete Note'.
Messages with a Note attached will show with a 'Note' icon in the attachment column of the message listing.
Right-click the note and a date/time stamp can be inserted from the menu.
Default font settings for Notes can be defined under Tools | Options | Reading Pane.
Importing a NEO Pro 5 catalog when creating a new catalog will also import existing Notes.
New virtual folder 'Noted':
Under the Status tab a new virtual folder 'Noted' is introduced showing all messages with a Note attached. For easy access it is advised to make this folder 'Hot'.
Change message status to 'read' after viewing in Reading Pane:
A new option under Tools | Options | Workflow tab is changing automatically the status of an unread message to 'read' after viewing for a defined number of seconds in the Reading Pane. Option default set to 'on' with a 5 seconds delay.
This function is disabled when activating the Unread filter or selecting the Unread folder to avoid messages disappear from view.
Export Correspondent details:
For every correspondent NEO Pro is creating an individual Correspondent Folder with details like name and email addresses. Not all of these will necessarily show in Outlook's address book. To make these details available outside NEO Pro, it is now possible to export these details to a CSV file by clicking the NEO Application button and selecting 'Export Correspondent Details'. Limited to max. 25 correspondents for non-licensed users.
New Icons:
New icons are introduced for Conversation View, for the Notes functionality and for use with the Ribbon - all of these are self-explanatory.
New registry location for NEO Pro 5.0:
Version 5 will use a different registry location leaving v3 or v4 settings unchanged. At first start of NEO Pro 5, registry settings of version 3 or 4 will be copied and used as starting point for NEO Pro 5.0. Switching back to v3/v4 will use the original, unchanged settings again.
Minor Improvements:
Outlook pane - default message store on top:
In the Outlook pane or view, the default message store (with the inbox receiving the messages) will now show on top. Other message stores will show underneath the default store in alphabetical order.
Sorting in Hot View:
Without Active Mail the Inbox will show on top of the Hot View.
NEO panes left and right:
The View | Layout menu offers now a default layout to place NEO panes left and right of the message listing/reading pane. This layout will show the reading pane underneath the message listing but can also be combined with placing the reading pane to the right of the message listing (View | Reading Pane). Starting with this layout it is easy to dock/undock views or tabs to customize further the user interface. This to make optimal use of available screen real estate especially on wide screen monitors.
Option to close NEO when closing Outlook:
This option is now available on the Tools | Options | General tab.
Changed default setting for Bulk Mail:
When creating a new catalog automatic Bulk Mail assignment has now been disabled resulting all messages to be organized into Correspondent Folders - hence the Unsorted Bulk Mail folder will remain empty. From there individual messages can be reorganized as usual into individual Bulk Mail folders. For new users this will be an easier starting point with messages showing where they are expected, namely in the folder of the sender. This change has no impact for existing catalogs or for catalog rebuilds.
Previous NEO Pro 3 or NEO Pro 4 license information available:
Using a NEO Pro 5 evaluation license, the Help | License screen can now show your previous NEO Pro 3 or NEO Pro 4 license information to assist in upgrading the license. Clicking the 'Upgrade Now' button will automatically select the correct upgrade on the webshop.
New icon for deleted items:
So far deleted items showed the 'Filed' icon. As this makes them hard to recognize in search results, deleted items will now show the 'Deleted Item' icon.
Sorting order NEO views:
Default sorting order for Correspondent, Category and Attachment views has now changed to Alphabetical order.
Screen layouts:
All supplied screen layouts (View | Layout | Import Layout) are now ribbon compatible.
New keyboard shortcuts:
Go to Inbox: F8
Open Note Editor: Ctrl+Alt+N
Find Category: Shift+Ctrl+F3
Open Category Picker with focus in edit box: Ctrl+Alt+T or Ctrl+Alt+Z
Toggle Conversation View on/off: Alt+V
Expand a Conversation: Right Arrow
Collapse a Conversation: Left Arrow
Message Properties: Alt+Enter
Issues Resolved:
Outlook 2010 issues:
Using Outlook 2010, NEO Pro didn't start when starting Outlook even not when configured as such within NEO.
Also NEO didn't have an icon in the Outlook 2010 user interface.
Attachment paperclip not showing:
Occasionally the paperclip icon in the message listing did not show for messages with an (external) attachment.
Conflicts in Cached Exchange Mode:
Using Exchange in Cached Exchange mode combined with another external device (like a Smartphone), conflicts could appear in the Sync Conflicts Folder. An improved synchronization handling is now implemented to minimize these conflicts which can be activated from Tools | Options | Miscellaneous tab ('External Devices'). For further information contact [email protected].
Quick File Recent file list issue:
The Quick File Recent file list greyed out occasionally - this has been fixed.
Jump to Folder issue:
Using Jump to Folder with filters active (or disabled) caused erroneous behavior when switching filters.
Sending Combined Log Files:
Sending the combined log file from Help | View Log Files resulted sometimes in an error.
Error "QueryRows Failed":
Using Exchange 2010 in Cached Exchange mode this error appeared during synchronization. This is now solved.
Truncated information in Folder Properties:
In Folder Properties the 'Updated' field showed truncated information.