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

Ben, add the Unread search folder to favorites by Clicking on the Unread saved search folder. When it opens up, you will see a Star (Add to Favorites) to the right of the Folder Name title in the view region.

IMO, this is better than nothing, but still doesn't provide the subject functionality. This will show you all Unread mail. What's missing is a view to both Read and Unread email with priority giving to Unread without having to change filters or folders.

GMail does this a little better by providing collapsible Unread and Everything Else regions in the same view.

Yes I need this. I always go straight to clicking "unread" the moment I open my email. I would save thousands of unnecessary clicks per year with this simple feature.

I actually found the answer to this. Posting here for future of the internet:

To add an unread filter to favorites in Outlook, you can follow these steps:

1. Right-click on the ‘Unread Mail’ folder and select ‘Show in Favorites’^1^.
2. Alternatively, scroll to the bottom of your folder list, right-click on "Search Folders," and create a new search folder for "Unread mail." Then add it to favorites.
3. Put at the top of your favorites list

Apologies if I'm missing something obvious here but I don't see an "Unread Mail" folder that I can add to my Favourites.

I have an "Unread emails" folder currently showing under "Saved Searches", presumably because I have filtered for unread before (⇧ + Cmd/Ctrl + O) but I can't find any way to copy or move that into the Favourites section. Any ideas pls?

Mac, where do you go? You said you would do further research. IMO, the real crux of the problem is Outlook is not designed to prioritize unread messages over read messages. Perhaps Microsoft should take a step back and re-design basic features with that prioritization in mind.