Outlook Windows Are Tiny & Will Not Stay Enlarged

Question

Outlook Windows Are Tiny & Will Not Stay Enlarged

SDF 60

Hello,

I have a user that reported that, when they added Copilot to their new Outlook desktop app, it changed the size of windows that pop-up within Outlook, such as a new e-mail message. "Now, whenever I start to type a new email or reply to one, the email window is no longer the size I used to have it. I constantly have to enlarge the window in order to work with it."

They have tried manually resizing the window and closing, but the new size is never retained. They tried opening Outlook with "/cleanviews" and in "Safe Mode," but it hasn't helped. Another tech had them repair Outlook, but it didn't help; they said the issue only seems present in "new" Outlook.

We tried checking the registry in HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\Office Explorer, looking for a "Frames" value to delete, but their tree did not have one, only an entry for "Namespaces."

The user is currently against either resetting or uninstalling/reinstalling Outlook, for fear of losing signatures or other configurations they have made to the app. They also have their display at a higher scale, for vision accommodation purposes.

Is there anything else we can try?

Here are the user's "Version" details:

Microsoft Outlook Version: 1.2026.609.400
Client Version: 20260619010.12
WebView2 Version: 149.0.4022.80

SDF 60 Reputation points

2026-06-26T17:31:46.0666667+00:00

We also tried setting "Change high DPI settings" for new Outlook, but it also did not help.

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SDF 60 Reputation points

2026-06-26T17:31:46.0666667+00:00

We also tried setting "Change high DPI settings" for new Outlook, but it also did not help.

Answer 1

Kai-L 19,415 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Dear SDF,

Good day, and I appreciate the detailed description of your issue.

I understand that your users are experiencing an unexpected issue where new Outlook compose / reply windows are opening very small and not retaining the resized window size after adding Copilot to their Outlook desktop app.

As a forum moderator, I genuinely wish I could directly access the user's Outlook profile, Copilot settings, or new Outlook app data to diagnose and resolve this for you. Unfortunately, my role here is limited to providing general guidance and solutions that can be applied by users.

Before performing deeper changes such as a reset or reinstall, could you please share a few more details with me?

Does this happen only with compose/reply pop-up windows, or also with email open in new windows?
Does the issue still occur if Copilot is turned off?
What display scaling percentage is the user using? For example: 125%, 150%, 175%, etc.
Is the user using one monitor or multiple monitors? If multiple monitors are used, do they have different scaling settings?
Does the same issue happen in Outlook on the web?
Does the issue happen for a newly created Windows profile on the same device? This can help determine whether the issue is user-profile-specific or app/device-specific.
Are other users with Copilot and new Outlook experiencing the same issue?

Could you also please provide a screenshot of the small compose/reply window and, if possible, a screenshot of the user’s Windows Display settings showing scaling and monitor layout? Please make sure to hide or blur any personal, email, tenant, or sensitive information before uploading the screenshots.

In the meantime, you can try the following workaround to see if it helps

Open a new email.
Resize the compose window to the preferred size.
Hold Ctrl.
While holding Ctrl, click X to close Outlook
Open Outlook again and test whether the size is now retained.

I hope this information is helpful. Please try these steps and let me know how it goes. If the issue persists, feel free to share more details in the comments so I can continue to support you. Thank you for your patience and understanding. Looking forward to your reply.

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it.

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

SDF 60 Reputation points

2026-06-26T19:00:22.4166667+00:00
Hello Kai-L,

Thank you for replying. To answer your questions:

That small windows appear with new mail messages. For replies, they have them initially set to in-line, but if the reply is "popped out," it will also be the small size.

They did try turning off Copilot, but the windows were still small.

I believe the user's scaling is at 125%. The user is on a laptop with an external monitor...I'm not sure if the scaling is different, but I also don't know if they are using both displays or just the monitor.

I don't know if the user had tried the web version.

The user is the only one that uses the laptop, and they are a remote worker, so it would be difficult to have someone else sign into it.

I use new Outlook and have Copilot turned on, but I am not experiencing the issue. I have not heard of other users experiencing this.

We have tried the resizing steps you provided, but successive windows do not retain the larger window size.

Let me know if you need additional information.

I am also enclosing a picture the user sent of one of the small windows.
Kai-L 19,415 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-06-26T19:41:09.7933333+00:00
Dear SDF,

Thank you for the detailed responses, this really helps narrow things down.

Based on what you have shared, it sounds like the issue is isolated to this one user, since:

Other users on new Outlook with Copilot (including yourself) are not seeing it.

The behavior persists even after Copilot is turned off.

The window size does not persist even after using the Ctrl + Close workaround.

This pattern points toward something specific to this user's environment, such as their display configuration, Windows profile, or possibly the Outlook profile / cached settings on that particular laptop.

I would like to dig a bit deeper, but to be honest, from the description alone it is a little hard for me to picture exactly what the user is seeing on their screen. Could you please ask the user to share a screenshot of the issue? Specifically:

A screenshot of the small compose window as it first opens (so I can see how small it actually appears compared to the main Outlook window).

A screenshot of their Windows Display settings showing the scaling percentage and monitor layout (e.g., laptop + external monitor configuration).

If possible, a screenshot of the same compose window after resizing it to the preferred size, just before they close it.

Please make sure to hide or blur any personal, email, tenant, or sensitive information before sharing the screenshots.

Since this seems to be unique to this user, it would also be helpful to know:

The exact Windows build they are on (Settings > System > About).

The new Outlook version (File > About Outlook inside new Outlook).

This way, I can do my best to identify whether the behavior matches any known issue tied to a specific build, scaling configuration, or display setup.

Thank you again for your patience and the detailed troubleshooting on your side. Looking forward to your reply.
Kai-L 19,415 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-06-26T20:16:31.86+00:00

Dear SDF,

Thank you for sharing the screenshot.

If I understand correctly, your user is looking for the same maximized window behavior they were familiar with in Classic Outlook, when using the Open in new window feature in New Outlook.

From my research, in New Outlook, when this feature is used, the email opens in a restored-down (smaller) window rather than a maximized one, and the user needs to manually maximize it each time. This is the current expected behavior, and it has been requested by many users to be improved. If your user prefers the original behavior, one option is to revert back to Classic Outlook for now, as that experience is closer to what they are looking for.

If this is a feature you would like to see implemented in New Outlook, I would suggest keeping an eye on the Microsoft Outlook (new) blog and the Microsoft 365 Roadmap for any updates. In the meantime, I apologize for the inconvenience this is causing your user.

I also strongly recommend sharing your detailed experience and feedback directly with the Microsoft product team through their official channels. This is the most effective way to make your voice heard and help influence future feature improvements.

You can visit the Outlook (new) · Community to submit a new idea or vote on existing one here: Allow user-set default window sizes · Community. The Microsoft product team is in charge of this site, and they constantly check customer reviews and feedback. The higher the number of votes, the more attention the team will pay to it. Many features are developed and improved based on customer feedback. As a moderator, I will also pass along your feedback to the appropriate team for further consideration. While we don't directly influence product design, user feedback is actively reviewed and helps prioritize future development. If you’re unable to submit feedback yourself, please feel free to reach out to me, and I’ll be happy to submit it on your behalf.

I really appreciate your kindness and understanding as Outlook continues to evolve. Please feel free to reach out if you need anything else. Wishing you all the best. If the answer was helpful, please consider clicking “Accept Answer” and giving it an upvote. This small action can make a big difference by helping others with similar questions find this solution more easily.
SDF 60 Reputation points

2026-06-26T21:24:28.4466667+00:00

Here is a picture of the user's scale settings.
SDF 60 Reputation points

2026-06-26T21:25:15.58+00:00

Here is a picture showing the size of a new mail window, relative to the Outlook app.
SDF 60 Reputation points

2026-06-26T21:27:21.8033333+00:00

Here is a picture of the size the user would prefer it open as.
SDF 60 Reputation points

2026-06-26T21:30:01.6333333+00:00

The user's laptop is running Windows 11 24H2. I provided the Outlook Version details in my original post, but here they are:

Microsoft Outlook Version: 1.2026.609.400
Client Version: 20260619010.12
WebView2 Version: 149.0.4022.80
Kai-L 19,415 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-06-26T22:45:49.74+00:00
Dear SDF,

Thank you so much for sharing the screenshots, they really help clarify the behavior on your user's end.

From the first image, the new mail compose window opens much smaller than the main New Outlook window, even though there is plenty of available screen space. In the second image, the preferred compose window is significantly wider and taller, using most of the Outlook workspace. I can completely understand why this is difficult for the user, especially with higher display scaling enabled for accessibility reasons.

I tried to replicate the issue on my side, but the new mail compose window opens normally for me. For reference, here is the version I am running:

Microsoft Outlook Version: 1.2026.624.300

Client Version: 20260618009.01

WebView2 Version: 149.0.4022.98

Could you please ask the affected user to test the same account at outlook.cloud.microsoft ?

If Outlook on the web behaves normally, but New Outlook desktop does not, this would further confirm that the issue is tied to how New Outlook handles window sizing on this specific device, rather than a mailbox-side or account-side issue.

Thank you for your continued patience and cooperation throughout this troubleshooting process. Looking forward to your reply.
Kai-L 19,415 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-06-29T17:17:21.8133333+00:00

Dear SDF,

It has been a while and I am writing to see how things are going with this issue. If there’s anything else I can assist you with or if you need further clarification, please don’t hesitate to let me know, I’m here to help. Looking forward to hearing from you. Wishing you a great day ahead!
SDF 60 Reputation points

2026-06-29T18:12:09.1733333+00:00

Hello Kai-L,

My company was off for the weekend, today is our first day back. I asked the user to check their web Outlook; their response was, "yes we did that, but I'll try again momentarily". I am awaiting a response to what they observed.

Thank you very much.
SDF 60 Reputation points

2026-06-29T20:31:50.3866667+00:00

Okay, the user completed the task. Their reply: "I closed my Outlook [app] and then opened it in the web browser. When I choose [an] email and click 'reply,' or 'reply all' it is full screen...If I pop it out of the browser it is the appropriate size."
Kai-L 19,415 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-06-29T21:03:18.4466667+00:00
Dear SDF,

Thank you for the update, this really helps narrow things down.

If I understand correctly, the user is not seeing the issue in Outlook on the web (the reply windows open at the correct size there), and the small compose window only happens in the New Outlook desktop app. That is a very useful confirmation, as it strongly suggests the issue is tied specifically to the New Outlook desktop client on the user's machine, rather than something with the mailbox or the account itself.

From my research, the compose / reply pop-up size in New Outlook is currently not exposed as a user-configurable setting, so the behavior you are seeing is most likely caused by a local client hiccup or a corrupted state in the desktop app's window-handling settings, rather than something the user can adjust manually.

Just to be safe, before performing a Repair, Reset, or Reinstall, I would recommend asking the user to sign in to Outlook on the web (outlook.cloud.microsoft) and confirm that everything they need is fully present and accessible there, for example:

Their email folders and messages.

Their calendar items.

Their contacts.

Any important rules, categories, or signatures they rely on.

Since New Outlook stores most of its settings and data server-side, what is visible in Outlook on the web is what should sync back down after the Reset / Reinstall. Confirming this first ensures the user is comfortable that nothing important is at risk of being lost during the troubleshooting steps.

Once the user has confirmed everything looks good in Outlook on the web, please ask them to try a Repair, and if needed a Reset, of the New Outlook desktop app:

Right-click the Start / Windows icon and select Installed apps.

Search for Outlook.

Click the three-dot menu next to it > Advanced options.

Scroll down and click Repair first, then test the behavior in New Outlook.

If the issue persists, repeat the same path and click Reset instead.

The user's signature, account, and configuration should remain intact through both Repair and Reset, since New Outlook stores most of its settings server-side.

If neither Repair nor Reset resolves the behavior, the last option to try would be to uninstall and reinstall the New Outlook desktop app. Their mailbox data and settings will sync back down from the server once they sign in again.

Please let me know how it goes after the user tries these steps. Looking forward to your reply.
SDF 60 Reputation points

2026-06-30T19:22:55.1833333+00:00

Hello Kai-L,

The user performed a reset this morning. Their initial reply was, "Reply to message, sadly, opens in the small box, so I guess an uninstall and reinstall will need to happen."
However, before we did a reinstall, they responded with, "I closed [Outlook] and reopened a couple of times and now I'm getting a larger window. It's not the size I'd like, but it's livable...Yes after the reset. I only lost a couple of local settings but that was easily fixed."

I'm not certain if they are content with the larger size, or hoping for larger.
Kai-L 19,415 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-06-30T22:49:08.2766667+00:00

Dear SDF,

Thank you so much for the detailed update, it sounds like there has been some real progress on the user's end. It is great to hear that after the Reset, closing and reopening Outlook a few times has brought the compose window to a more workable size. Just to gently confirm next steps, since the user mentioned the new size is workable, could you please check with them whether the current size is good enough for daily use, or if they would still like to push for a larger window? If the current state is acceptable, I would suggest pausing further changes for now, as the Reset has already brought a noticeable improvement, and a Reinstall does not always guarantee a different outcome. Thank you for your patience and understanding. I'm looking forward to your reply.
SDF 60 Reputation points

2026-07-01T18:06:46.9133333+00:00

The user's reply was, "I can live with it, but they should really fix it on their end. And I really don't want to uninstall and reinstall."

I saw your link to the Community idea post about window resizing, and I have upvoted it.

Thank you for your assistance.
Kai-L 19,415 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-07-01T20:27:31.15+00:00

Dear SDF,

Thank you so much for the kind update, I really appreciate you taking the time to loop back.

I understand the user's decision, avoiding a full uninstall and reinstall when the current state is workable is a very reasonable choice, and their feedback is absolutely valid. Hopefully, with more voices on the Community idea you upvoted, the product team will prioritize a proper fix for the compose window sizing in New Outlook.

If you have found my support helpful throughout this troubleshooting, I would really appreciate it if you could also upvote and mark the answer as accepted on your post, as it helps other community members who may run into a similar situation in the future.

Wishing you a great rest of your week, and please feel free to come back to the forum anytime you need help.