New Outlook mode - Light/Dark background setting

Anonymous
2023-05-04T12:42:24+00:00

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

Outlook | Windows | Classic Outlook for Windows | For home

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  1. Anonymous
    2025-01-20T10:38:05+00:00

    I've been resiting the optional change to the new Outlook because of a couple of reason and the ability to set the message pane background colour when using dark mode to be light is one of the primary reasons. Today MS have forse the update on me with it seems no way to revert to the classic version, it is highly frustrating to be forsed to click light mode in each email I read to achive what should be a simple task for the devs to incorporate a reading pane view preference as was in classic Outlook.

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-01-21T14:50:21+00:00

    Is there a way to have the "Never change the message background color" as default on for all staff on the domain via group policy?

    I have found the registry setting that allows me to do this in word but it does not appear to be possible in outlook?

    If this has already been answered previously sorry for asking again but I did not want to go through 8 pages of comments to find it.

    For anyone interested here is the example of the Word registry setting that works.

    For Word (Disable Dark Mode Background)

    1. Open the Registry Editor (regedit).
    2. Navigate to:
       HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Word\Options
      
    3. Create a new DWORD value:
      • Name: DisableDarkMode
      • Value: 1

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-02-03T15:05:35+00:00

    There are 229 people with the same issue. How come this has not been resolved yet?

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  4. Anonymous
    2025-02-03T22:01:37+00:00

    I'm fed up with MS BS!

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  5. Anonymous
    2025-02-03T22:15:55+00:00

    I have found a work around for my new Outlook. By selecting "Light Reading Pane" under the View tab, the setting remains consistent even after logging off and back on. It actually works for new emails and replies as well, finally something I can work with.

    This may resolve the issue for others who have experienced this problem with Microsoft New Outlook.

    I'd love to know if this worked for anyone else.

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