How to Turn Off Focused Inbox Outlook: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you are an avid Microsoft Outlook user, you might have noticed that the majority of your important messages get grouped together in an inbox folder titled “Focused Inbox.” You might also be aware that other email messages are directed to another inbox folder titled “Other.” While some users find this helpful and more efficient, others may want to disable this feature and use Microsoft Outlook the traditional way. This article explains in detail how to turn off this feature.

How to Turn Off Microsoft Outlook’s Focused Inbox

There are different instructions to disable this feature, depending on the version of Microsoft Outlook that you have. Continue reading to find the step-by-step directions for each version that is available.

Outlook Apps for iOS and Android

1. Launch Outlook on your mobile device.
2. Go to the Settings tab in Outlook for iOS or tap the Settings gear icon in Outlook for Android.
3. Under “Mail” you can turn off Focused Inbox. Your inbox will begin to include all messages from all senders sorted by date.

Outlook 2016

1. On the top toolbar, select the View tab.
2. Un-select Show Focused Inbox. You will see the Focused and Other tabs disappear from the top of your mailbox.

Note: If you don’t see the Show Focused Inbox icon, your version of Outlook might not have this feature. You can check for any updates by selecting File > Office Account > Update Options > Update Now.

Outlook on the Web

1. At the top of the page, select Settings.
2. In the Settings pane, toggle Focused Inbox to off.

If the instructions above do not match what you are seeing on your computer, you may be using an older version of Outlook. Continue reading to find the Classic Outlook settings which might work for you.

Classic Outlook on the Web

1. Select Settings > Display settings > Focused Inbox.
2. Under the option When email is received, select Don’t sort messages.
3. Click OK.

Outlook.com

1. At the top of the page, select Settings.
2. In Quick settings, toggle Focused Inbox to off.

Outlook 2016 for Mac

1. Launch the Microsoft Outlook application on your desktop.
2. On the Organize tab, un-select Focused Inbox. The Focused and Other tabs will disappear from the top of your mailbox.

Note: If you don’t see the Focused Inbox icon, your version of Outlook might not have this feature. You can check for any updates by selecting Help > Check For Updates.

Take Control of Your Inbox Experience

Whether you prefer Focused Inbox or would rather see every message in a single unified view, Microsoft Outlook gives you the flexibility to configure your email the way you work best. Small settings changes like this one can make a meaningful difference in daily productivity, especially for busy teams managing high email volumes across modern workplace environments.

If you find yourself spending more time managing your inbox than actually using it, that’s often a sign your email and productivity tools could use a second look. Our team helps businesses across South Florida and New York get the most out of Microsoft 365, from everyday tips like this to full-scale deployments and ongoing managed IT support.

Ready to stop wrestling with your technology and start relying on it? WheelHouse IT is here to help.