"New Outlook" change color scheme for read/unread messages

Anonymous
2023-11-14T15:31:10+00:00

My inbox displays the following columns - From, Subject, Received

In OLD Outlook, all the words (names, subject message, date and time) in all 3 columns are bold blue when the message is Unread and when the message is Read the color for all the words in all 3 columns changes to non-bold black.

However, in NEW Outlook, the words appear as follows for an Unread message: From (bold black), Subject (bold blue), received (non-bold black). And when the message is Read, everything turns non-bold black.

In NEW Outlook, how do I change the colors of the words in From, Subject, Received so that they display in the same way as they do in OLD Outlook.

Thanks!

Outlook | Windows | New Outlook for Windows | For home

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Anonymous
2023-11-14T18:22:55+00:00

Hello dcraw998,

Good day! Thank you for posting to Microsoft Community.

Based on your description, I understand that you have a concern with changing the color scheme for read/unread messages in the New Outlook preview.

According to your description, I really understand that you are referring to difference in the current feature in New Outlook preview and the classic outlook. And based on my research, I got the same result as yours. The black-blue-black is the default pattern in both outlook versions for unread email. Unless you applied conditional formatting for incoming emails in the Outlook view for the classic outlook which is currently not yet feasible in the new version. I'm afraid, I didn't find a way around this in the new outlook. If you heavily rely on this feature, you may consider toggling out of the new Outlook for Windows preview.

Please kindly understand that many functions are not designed at present. I'd suggest creating an entry as a feature suggestion in feedback collection directly through your new outlook (Help-->Feedback) or at Outlook · Community (microsoft.com) and many other users could vote for it. Many features of our current products are designed and upgraded based on customers’ feedback.

I will update here if I get any update on this feature. Thank you for your kind understanding.

Best Regards,

Ashraf.

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  1. Anonymous
    2025-04-30T07:22:51+00:00

    two years later and they did not fix it!!! :(

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-03-19T12:54:56+00:00

    I have read through all the responses, including yours Ashraf, and would have to fully agree with the many that have contributed to the original question that this is a very frustrating situation. Changing the theme color is not an adequate solution in my mind. Dark theme does not work well for me either. With all these valid complaints one would think that the engineers at Microsoft would have addressed this by now. Come on Microsoft, are you really listening? You can do better. It should be really simple-make the bold letters for unread emails more BOLD.

    Hopeful for a resolve some time this year.

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-02-10T15:37:17+00:00

    Ditto on all the complaints. Totally frustrated. The subject and the name of unread emails in the new outlook is bold, black. Much harder to differentiate read from unread emails without the old blue color. Who on your team thought this would be a good idea? Seriously!!!

    Why don't you focus on things that matter? I'm pretty sure the majority of users didn't request this change-it is so silly. Thanks for making my life harder!

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  4. Anonymous
    2024-02-06T18:23:28+00:00

    Conditional formatting in the New Outlook is currently in active development by the product team. You can refer to this doc for more other features in the works for the New Outlook.

    Things to look forward to in the new Outlook for Windows - Microsoft Community Hub

    You can also create a feature suggestion in feedback collection directly through your new outlook (Help-->Feedback)

    Best Regards,

    Ashraf.

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