Why can't Outlook users edit the subject line of incoming emails?

I understand that "In the latest versions of Outlook, including the New Outlook, the subject line is now considered a part of the message body and cannot be edited separately." Regardless of the reason, why insist on retaining this new constraint that so many people detest? Why not make this an option in settings?

I've always employed the ability to change the subject line because so many people (especially in group email threads) reply to an email about a new subject but do not change the subject line. I have to hit Reply to myself and then edit the subject line to file my old emails by subject.

@Don Varnau thanks for the tip and was really hoping this was going to be a viable work around, although why we're even having this discussion is utterly ridiculous..... Change for the sake of change while not adding any user benefit and instead removing a vital feature is purely job security for these companies. I am so over every new update where nothing is where it used to be or its buried 4 steps even further down some rabbit hole and makes everything more difficult and you loose features has really gotten out of hand..... So, in your case with this tip, when I open an email in Notepad from the desktop, it just comes up all garbled and no way to find the subject line or attempt any modifications. Am I missing a step or ???Here's what it looks like: À F ç—UþÇÚ
 €a _ _ n a m e i d _ v e r s i o n 1 . 0 (

ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ ðòˆUþÇÚ
ЋUþÇÚ
_ _ s [snip]_ - - - Sorry. You're right. It does not work for me with Outlook 2016. I've edited my post. Don

Although I appreciate the reply, there will be so many people who will be unhappy with this choice.

I will not switch over to the new outlook ever if I have a choice.

Hi Joe and everyone:

If you switch out of the new Outlook back to the old version there will be a popup that asks you why you are going back.

I selected "Something is not working" and then entered in my comments that I was unable to edit the subject line and that it is important to be able to do so.

I don't know if they see this or not?

Thanks,

Cyndi

We have the same issue within my work team. We work a queue and process invoices but to process these, we must leave notes within the email itself since this is a team effort and invoices can't always be processed same day. We work hundreds of invoices monthly and there is no other way that would be efficient. This is the most absurd change in Outlook since the creation of the app. Pretty much makes Outlook the least desirable email platform at this point.