Outlook (365) - mark item as read only AFTER I OPEN the item.

I think I may have help for some here.

I just started using the new Outlook as well (certainly not a joy!) and here is what I have done.

I have gone to the Setting --> Mail --> Message Handling and here is how I have set things.

From there, as I read emails as soon as I decide they are "read" I use the CTRL + Q keystoke to mark the email as read. I was doing this in the old Outlook because I use unread email as a filter for being unread, unanswered, come back to it later, etc. Luckily for a right hander like me (and a little practice) CTRL + Q is an easy keystroke with my left hand. Unlike marking email as unread which requires CTRL + U.

Best of luck!

+1 for wanting an option to "mark as read when opened"

Odd and a little frustrating that this went away with the new version of outlook.

There are some issues with this solution.

1. There is no "File tab".
2. There is no "Advanced" option in the settings.
3. In the Mail/Layout menu of the settings there are a number of options related to actions but none that address the problem.
4. The only apparent options are under mail/layout/message handling which no longer includes an option to show as read only when read.

I'm using MS Outlook in Windows 11, version 1.2024.612.100

I have, however, discovered an option to change to "Outlook classic". Click help/go to classic outlook, or simple move the "new outlook" slider button to the left to switch it off. The above instructions are then valid but instruction 5 should be untick the option.

Microsoft ask for feedback on why you're changing back to classic. Tell them. This is a major step backwards and the more people bring it to their attention the better. Eventually the penny will drop and they will fix the problem.

This should be a simple function, copy and paste from the previous version. Unbelievable...

PLEASE!!! Only answer this if you have completely UNDERSTOOD my question. I've seen countless threads here where people are asking the same question, but the reply they get is NOT the answer to their question.

Pay Attention!!

Microsoft 365 - Outlook (desktop or web) (NOTE: Not regular Outlook (which was wonderful and powerful), but the %^%$## product from M...365 which looks like it was written for little kids writing to their BFFs or for grandmas).

Mark an item as read ONLY AFTER YOU OPEN IT. Not previewed, but opened. Not replied to, but opened!

Do NOT try to tell me how to keep it from marking it read when I view it in the reading pane, or move selection, or after 5 seconds. I DON"T NEED THAT! Pay Attention!

I need a button (in microsoft 365 outlook) that says to mark as read when item is opened just like I had in the original program (that my office has forced me to get rid of in favor of this mess).

BTW - I tried to post a screenshot (as suggested above) but it doesn't work (surprise!!)

moved from: Outlook / Outlook.com / Settings

Switch to the Classic style, it's one of the options under one of the menu items. (Can't tell you which because I've already done it and I'm not game to change back!)

You might have a slider button to switch off the "try the new outlook" button.

The new version is terrible.