Where can I find the below setting when I'm in the "New Outlook" mode: If you prefer, you can disable dark mode so that the message window is always white when using the black theme. The icons to switch dark mode on or off are disabled when you disable dark mode. In Outlook, go to File > Options . On the General page, look for Personalize your copy of Microsoft Office . Set the Office Theme to Black and select the check box next to Never change the message background color . Select OK . Thx

You didn't answer his actual question. We want both want the new Outlook to use the Dark Theme, but we ALSO want the message area to NOT use Dark Theme. In the old Outlook, there was an option for "Never change the background color." This did exactly what we want. The new Outlook doesn't seem to have this option.

You didn't answer his actual question. We want both want the new Outlook to use the Dark Theme, but we ALSO want the message area to NOT use Dark Theme. In the old Outlook, there was an option for "Never change the background color." This did exactly what we want. The new Outlook doesn't seem to have this option. I echo this as well. This feels like a step backwards. There should be a way to keep the message area "white" while the rest of the application honors the system light/dark settings.

This is not the solution we or the OP was looking for. In the previous Outlook, there was an option to use the Dark mode while still using a light background for messages. In the new Outlook I see there is an option do to this (sun icon to "View with a light background") on the individual message, but it only applies to that message and it is not persistent (ie the next time you look at that same message it is dark again). We are looking for a global option that will always apply to all messages.

I guess there is no option for " Never change the message background color ."?

I have the same question. Firstly, in your reply you say go to 'File'. This makes me think you are not answering the question for the 'New 2023' version as there is no file option in the new Outlook (2023 version). I always use dark mode but need the reading pane of the email body to be light. I am unable to see how to do this permanently. Yes, I can switch individual messages to light mode but I need this to be a permanent setting. I have reverted back to the old Outlook until you fix this glaring omission.

New Outlook mode - Light/Dark background setting

Anonymous

Where can I find the below setting when I'm in the "New Outlook" mode:

If you prefer, you can disable dark mode so that the message window is always white when using the black theme. The icons to switch dark mode on or off are disabled when you disable dark mode.

In Outlook, go to File > Options.
On the General page, look for Personalize your copy of Microsoft Office.
Set the Office Theme to Black and select the check box next to Never change the message background color.
Select OK.

Thx

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Anonymous

2023-05-07T01:22:53+00:00

You didn't answer his actual question. We want both want the new Outlook to use the Dark Theme, but we ALSO want the message area to NOT use Dark Theme. In the old Outlook, there was an option for "Never change the background color." This did exactly what we want. The new Outlook doesn't seem to have this option.
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Anonymous

2023-05-09T11:26:01+00:00

You didn't answer his actual question. We want both want the new Outlook to use the Dark Theme, but we ALSO want the message area to NOT use Dark Theme. In the old Outlook, there was an option for "Never change the background color." This did exactly what we want. The new Outlook doesn't seem to have this option.

I echo this as well. This feels like a step backwards. There should be a way to keep the message area "white" while the rest of the application honors the system light/dark settings.
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80+ people found this answer helpful.

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Anonymous

2023-05-15T13:44:27+00:00

This is not the solution we or the OP was looking for. In the previous Outlook, there was an option to use the Dark mode while still using a light background for messages. In the new Outlook I see there is an option do to this (sun icon to "View with a light background") on the individual message, but it only applies to that message and it is not persistent (ie the next time you look at that same message it is dark again). We are looking for a global option that will always apply to all messages.
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Anonymous

2023-05-04T14:32:36+00:00

I guess there is no option for "Never change the message background color."?
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Anonymous

2023-05-23T10:21:44+00:00

I have the same question. Firstly, in your reply you say go to 'File'. This makes me think you are not answering the question for the 'New 2023' version as there is no file option in the new Outlook (2023 version). I always use dark mode but need the reading pane of the email body to be light. I am unable to see how to do this permanently. Yes, I can switch individual messages to light mode but I need this to be a permanent setting. I have reverted back to the old Outlook until you fix this glaring omission.
Was this answer helpful?

30+ people found this answer helpful.

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