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

THIS!!!! THIS is the solution! Finally, it seems MS actually added the functionality, albeit without telling anyone. I can confirm that this works for me, and is persistent across multiple emails and after closing and reopening New Outlook. That said, even this seems to be a half-measure. I have four accounts and I have to click the setting for each one, but two of the accounts are missing this button entirely. I don't know what's different about them, but it seems that even when finally rolling out the setting we've been asking for, they still couldn't get it completely right.

No it isn't ideal, but we are talking about MS here.

My Outlook ribbon is missing several of these icons. I don't have "Expand Conversation", "Dark Reading Pane" or "Reminders". Go to View Settings -> General -> About Outlook and tell us which version of Microsoft Outlook you're on, please. This is my version:

It appears my Office 365 version is different.

My Outlook updated today! I now have this same option! Woo hoo!!!

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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98 answers

Anonymous

2025-02-03T23:07:53+00:00

THIS!!!!

THIS is the solution! Finally, it seems MS actually added the functionality, albeit without telling anyone. I can confirm that this works for me, and is persistent across multiple emails and after closing and reopening New Outlook.

That said, even this seems to be a half-measure. I have four accounts and I have to click the setting for each one, but two of the accounts are missing this button entirely. I don't know what's different about them, but it seems that even when finally rolling out the setting we've been asking for, they still couldn't get it completely right.
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Anonymous

2025-02-03T23:16:12+00:00

No it isn't ideal, but we are talking about MS here.
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Anonymous

2025-02-04T01:12:45+00:00

My Outlook ribbon is missing several of these icons. I don't have "Expand Conversation", "Dark Reading Pane" or "Reminders".

Go to View Settings -> General -> About Outlook and tell us which version of Microsoft Outlook you're on, please.
This is my version:
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Anonymous

2025-02-06T01:25:15+00:00

It appears my Office 365 version is different.
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1 person found this answer helpful.

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Anonymous

2025-02-06T07:13:31+00:00

My Outlook updated today! I now have this same option! Woo hoo!!!
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