How to set "Unread" as the default inbox filter in Outlook, and still be able to view Read messages

Anonymous
2022-10-26T16:51:20+00:00

Another article describes setting the default filter in Outlook to Unread under View Settings. I did this and found that after doing so, I was no longer able to view Read messages, they just didn't appear in the inbox after setting the Inbox filter to All.

What I'm looking for is a setting that will make Unread the default filter setting, but still allow me to see Read messages when switching the filter to All or Read. Does this setting exist?

Outlook | Windows | Classic Outlook for Windows | For home

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-03-29T20:45:59+00:00

    How is this possible that such a simple feature as setting the unread messages on by default is not present on outlook. Please fix this microsoft.

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  2. Anonymous
    2022-10-27T03:52:13+00:00

    Well, that didn't achieve the affect I'm asking for either.

    You said "clicking on Unread, will just show unread emails unless you change the filter." This goes to exactly my point. All is the default. No matter what I change the filter to, when I leave and return to that folder, the filter resets to All (the default), even though I didn't change the filter back.

    I see 2 possible code changes that would address this issue, neither of which would be detrimental to the functionality of the product.

    1. give the option to specify the default filter (All, Unread, Flagged, To Me, ...) that activates upon entering any folder, or at least just the Inbox. FYI, I have rules set up that move received emails to appropriate folders before being read, so a default of Unread would make sense on those folders too.
    2. even better, save the user specified filter on each folder so when that folder is re-entered, the user's last specified filter for that folder is restored, like you stated the Unread filter works only doesn't.

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-04-24T16:32:54+00:00

    I echo this. This is a basic feature allowing people to manage their emails as tasks that disappear as they are handled. Please fix.

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-01-17T08:35:21+00:00

    This is exactly what I am looking for.

    I would assume Outlook to have the option to save Unread as default setting and keep this when re-entering that folder / inbox.

    Is there a work around available or do I simply have to click 'Unread' everytime I change folders / mailboxes?
    #annoying

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  5. Anonymous
    2023-06-30T12:54:19+00:00

    The option to change the default sort is needed, especially for the inbox. Having to re-filter throughout the day is tedious.

    Please add this option.

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