Information on the Focused Inbox in Outlook 2016 for Windows or Mac desktop is at "Focused Inbox in Outlook desktop"
The Focused Inbox was first introduced in the Outlook app for smartphones and began rolling out to Outlook on the web in October 2016. It will be coming to Outlook 2016 subscriptions in the coming months. The Focused Inbox is a filter, not a folder, and the goal is to have less important mail shown under the Other tab and important mail under the Focused tab.
When the Focused Inbox filter is enabled, you'll see two tabs at the top of the message list, named Focused and Other. If there are new items in tab that is not selected, the first line of the message list will tell you have many new messages there are and include some of the senders names.
As you can see in this screenshot, the selected tab (Focused) is very lightly bolded.
If Outlook filters messages wrong, either right-click on the message and choose Move to... Focused Inbox or use the Move to button in the bar. You can choose to move just the selected message or all messages from that sender or thread.
Turn off Focused Inbox in Outlook on the web
You can turn Focused Inbox off (or on) in Outlook on the web from the Inbox - click on the Filter menu and deselect Show Focused Inbox at the bottom of the menu.
You can turn it off in Outlook on the web's Options too. Click the Gear icon , Options, Layout, Focused Inbox.
Turn off Focused Inbox in Outlook desktop
Outlook desktop has a Focused button on the ribbon and in the menu to the right of the Focused/Other tabs that toggles Focused Inbox off and on.
For more information and additional screenshots, see
Outlook for iOS and Android
To use, click the Focused or Other tab at the top of the message list to switch between focused and other. At the the very top of the list you'll see the From name of new messages in the group you aren't viewing.
If you don't want to use it, you can turn the Focused Inbox off.
Turn off Focused Inbox on iOS devices
Click Settings at the bottom right. The Focused Inbox toggle is near the bottom of the Settings page. The change should take effect immediately.
Turn off Focused Inbox on Android
Click 3 dots on the right, then Settings.
Toggle Focused Inbox off. You'll need to close and restart the Outlook app for the change to apply.
Lars says
I don't have Outlook, rather I use Hotmail's Inbox, that forced a Focused tab on me. I had to have the toolbar menu which takes up the left panel vertically, having the settings option found at the bottom of the toolbar, under "Get Premium Outlook Feature" prompt. Clicking on the Setting gear icon at very bottom right, brings up a Settings panel on the right of the window and listed below is a Focused option. Once you've chosen to turn Focused off, make sure to hit the "<" to close the Focused check box or it won't take effect.
Craig says
This focused inbox update has been rolling out on automatic updates to all of our workstations. While I like the separation of emails concept (important vs. lesser importance bulk email) IMO this update from Microsoft was a step BACKWARDS. Two reasons why: 1) nuisance notifications and 2) unuseful unread email counts. More specifically why-- When Outlook previously separated bulk email to the clutter folder, that folder collected messages that you could check occasionally to catch up. The unread messages count on the outlook left sidebar showed two counts, one for inbox, one for clutter. Now, the unread count of bulk email is showing on a singular "Inbox" so you don't know if those are more urgent unreads or not! Secondly, focused and other division of one inbox now causes my desktop and my phone to notify me on EVERY bulk message. This is horrendously annoying and I'm getting consistent feedback from my staff this this is 100% annoying. So while it is helping to split the messages into two buckets of inbox, the user experience just took a serious hit to the negative. I have posted this also on the Microsoft uservoice site (if you search for "focused" there hopefully you'll see it and can upvote it!!! My next question is this, is it possible to set up a rule in outlook now for messages in inbox & not classified as "focused" to automatically move those messages to the clutter folder. This would bring back the usability previously had! (PS - I realize you can turn off focused inbox, but that means all the bulk items will be non-sorted into a singular inbox so that is NOT a solution). Thanks very much in advance for any ideas!
Diane Poremsky says
You can turn clutter on for users who want it - you need to use powershell:
Set-Clutter -Identity alias -Enable $true
Fredrik72 says
Hi! I find the Focused inbox very useful, and I finally managed to turn it on for our Office 365 account.
It also works for my private Outlook.com account, but only on my iPad, Android phone, on the webpage and UWP app. However, I prefer to read my Outlook.com mail using the Outlook 2016 client app. And it seems that, while it now supports Focused inbox for my Office 365 account, it doesn't have support for my Outlook.com account.
Do you know if Microsoft will bring support for Focused inbox for outlook.com accounts connected to client Outlook 2016 anytime soon, because now all mail are in the same box (since it disabled the Clutter-emailbox when I turned it on.
Diane Poremsky says
They are working on enabling focused inbox for the desktop client - i don't have an ETA yet.
Hendrik says
Any news on the ETA to enable "Focus Inbox" on Outlook 2016 for hotmail users?
Currently using it on Office 365 and love it!!
Diane Poremsky says
No, nothing yet. Last I knew it was expected sometime this fall.
Paul says
Hi there, I use the focused/other inbox in outlook IOS and have been proceeding with training it as to what should be in focused and what should go into other. As you probably know the default for a previously unknown sender email address is to put it into "Focused". and I also have my alert to sound only for focused email.
I've been working with it in this way. But in the past few months I've been getting a lot of spam/junk (about weight loss) - sometimes dozens per day. They are all coming from different individual email addresses and therefore coming directly into the focused inbox and alerting me. Since the spammers are doing their spam using countless individual email addresses, they all go into the focused inbox.
So it occurred to me that this problems would not occur if I could make the default "Other", and then of course recommence the training as to what should go into "Focused". So my question is: Is there a way of setting the default to "Other".
Thank you.
Paul
Diane Poremsky says
No, you can't set it to default. If they use certain keywords you can create rules for, that would work. I got a bunch of the same spam for a few days but not any lately - probably because microsoft trains the main filter based on spam reports from business users (I'm not sure if hotmail can report spam).
Jeneve says
I am not receiving any emails that normally come through focus my daughter has been emailing me and they normally come through focus but they are nowhere even in junk or other.
Diane Poremsky says
How long has this been going on? Do any get through? This is with outlook.com accounts? I had another person ask pretty much the same question (except they lost meeting requests) so its possible there were issues with the servers. The messages may show up eventually.
It's possible that they are "stuck in space" somewhere - server hung or something, and they'll eventually show up. Or they just got dropped by the server, never to be seen again.
Dave White says
Hi Diane
Always a pleasure to come back to Slipstick with a problem!
I am now finally able to use Focused Inbox, fully two months since Microsoft
disabled Clutter on our Office 365 Tenant.
Nightmare!
Now I have it I would like to use it in Advanced Searches and Query Builder.
Is there a way to apply the filter when building queries?
Many thanks in advance
Dave
Diane Poremsky says
No, not that I am aware of, but will look into it - it would be kinda nice though. If a mapi property is set on the item, we might be able to include it in filters.
Dave White says
Hi Diane
Just checking back to ensure I get your reply in my inbox if you find out any relevant info!
Dave
Diane Poremsky says
Sorry I missed this earlier - no, at this time it is not possible. I don't know if it ever will be possible... if you haven't added it to outlook.uservoice.com, do so. The popular ideas get more attention.
Charles says
Diane,
simple thank thank you. I am afraid this is a example of what is coming, Orson Wells 1984 just 40 years late. Only its not Government, but companies like goole deciding what we want.
keith says
Why does Microsoft not leave stuff that works alone ? I like many others did not want this Focused thingy.
Why not offer it to only those that want it ? Why do you give it to me just because some phone app needs it ?
We now live in a world where Microsoft improvements seem to be backwards all the time.
Diane Poremsky says
You can turn it off... they turned it on because they figured no one would try it if they didn't turn it on. While I don't like that they turned it on, they do have a point.... I'm just not sure if many people left it turned on.
LINUX is calling says
M$ you have done it again....... is there anything more you can Fook up if
so please give your loyal user's notice before hand ......
Dixie Elder Johnson says
I only get junk mail in "focused"
Diane Poremsky says
What is in the Other tab? Bulk mail and other messages that aren't sent to you should be in Other to start. As you use it, it will learn based on what you do with the messages and may move some into the other tab. Or right click on a message and choose Move to Focused (or Other).
kve says
I just discovered my hotmail inbox was converted to a "focused" inbox, and all of the unwanted crap was listed under Focused, and all of my new important emails, like stocks and financials, were listed under Other.
Thanks, microsoft, for another sucky feature
Diane Poremsky says
You can turn it off - look on the menu to the right of the tabs for the toggle to enable/disable. If you want to use it, you can right click on a message and choose Move to Focused.
Bred FLoggs says
Oh great, I can choose to switch something awful off. Great user interaction Microsnot.
Sue says
I have an old Macbook I keep at the office. Once I log in to my Hotmail account the computer locks up so I can't even go to settings to turn off focused/other. Any suggestions?
Diane Poremsky says
They problem that caused the hang was supposedly fixed within hours when it first surfaced last week. Try clearing the browser cache.
Are you able to open the Filter menu at the top of the message list? That can be used to turn Focused inbox off too.
Lisa says
Help! How do I get this focused/other split out of my email? This is crazy. I've got a Macbook air laptop, OS X Yosemite, circa 2014. None of the things mentioned seem to work.
Diane Poremsky says
I don't have yosemite anymore, but in mavericks, it's in the same location as it in in other browsers - under the filter menu, at the very bottom. Show Focused Inbox is checked - select it to uncheck it.
cac says
Unnecessary and annoying, it should be easier to turn off. Just appeared on mine today.
Why, leave my email alone, I could of missed something if I didn't notice the filter being on.
David says
Forgot to add, that you need to click on settings cogwheel at bottom left of screen, when INBOX appears, to open right pane to access Reading tab after you click on Mail app !
David says
I found the best way to turn off Focused on Outlook was too...Open Edge and enter http://www.msn.com...hover cursor over Outlook tab, where a drop down box appears...Click on Mail app at lower left of drop box...Click on Reading in right pane... Scroll down to Focused Inbox and turn off...You may need to check Apply to all accounts box just above it... That's it!!!
Cer says
I went into my inbox today and a box pop-up notifying me of a focus and other option. When I click ".Got it" the screen locks up and does not allow me any movement. I can not apply the fixes above because the screen is locked. Can someone help.
Diane Poremsky says
Does it work correctly if you refresh the screen? Which browser are you using? (Try a different browser.)
Alison Battista says
My inbox has only just been invaded by this focused/other thing and now it has completely blocked my inbox with a stupid message and a flashing oblong around the word focused. I cannot delete it, click off it, click on it or do anything with it. I have shut down the outlook tab on my browser, reopened it and it is still there. Please help me to disable it once and for all.
Diane Poremsky says
Does the account work if you refresh the browser or use a different browser? If you, you can turn it off from the Filter menu - very bottom. If the problem is in desktop outlook, restart outlook if the popup won't go away then turn it off from the View tab or All menu.
Richard says
Do NOT want this new feature. Invasion of privacy to even put it on my computer. Followed instructions to remove it from my laptop but your feature has frozen everything and it will NOT work. Your suggestions please
Diane Poremsky says
It's not my feature. :) This is in Outlook on the web? Which browser are you using? Try a different browser if you can't get into the inbox after refreshing the page. You can turn it off in options or click the Filter menu to the right of the focused/other tabs.
Wendy says
I cannot access my email. Everything is grayed out. You click on the gear box to get to settings and nothing happens. I do not want this focus on my account. What right do they have to determine what email I see first? My email won't even open!! I can see it behind the grayed area. I have hotmail/windows 10 ..... I am so sick of Microsoft. I use this account for personal and business which makes this not only frustrating but extremely annoying!!
Diane Poremsky says
Which browser do you use? Try a different one... you can turn it off in options or from the Filtered menu next to the tabs.
louisa says
I have tried going into my hotmail but cannot click on anything as the focused just keeps flashing cannot even turn focused off as the page is all covered and this focus is stopping me from doing anything. Please help this is my business hotmail
Diane Poremsky says
is there a popup you can click on?
lucy tsun says
sorted
I selected another folder quickly before the 'focused' filter could become active on my inbox.
then I was able to make my display changes.
phillip walton says
how do I get rid of focused I hate it on outlook. cant figure how to use let alone how to turn off. once the icon about focussed appears unable to use oputlook
Diane Poremsky says
is there a popup? Click on it -0 this should stop of the flashing. Then you can turn it off (if it is turned on) - in outlook, it's on the View ribbon or click on the All menu to the right of the Focused/Other tabs. In outlook on the web, turn it off in options or expand Filter menu and uncheck it at the bottom.
lucy tsun says
Hi tonight my outlook enabled a 'focused' option became active. I didn't turn it on. The function seemed to just appear.
Immediately when I open my outlook I got a popup telling me that the Focused option was active then the word 'Focused' started flashing. When it is like that I can't do anything with my outlook. i can't make changes to my display settings to turn off the Focused feature. I can't read my emails. I can't write a new email.
Do you have any suggestions please?
Diane Poremsky says
clicking on the popup should get rid of the flashing then turn it off if it's turned on.
DeeJay says
How can i go back to using Hotmail? Trying to get through emails on Outlook has been a nightmare it runs so slow, i never had this problem when it was Hotmail...HELP it's ruined my Business :-(
Diane Poremsky says
You can use the web interface at Outlook.com. What version of Outlook desktop do you use and is the account configured as IMAP or Microsoft Exchange?
JC Rocks says
You have to go in to your settings to turn it off. No idea why they tried to do this. It's a complete nightmare clusterfuck.
Diane Poremsky says
You can turn it off on the Filter menu in the message list too.
Gene says
That was the trick, go to the gear tyty
Deepak says
How can I setup VIP alerts for example if I need a special notification sound when email come from abc@gmail.com and xyz@gmail.com
Diane Poremsky says
Assuming Outlook desktop, You'll set up a rule that plays a sound when mail arrives from those addresses.
abhijeet says
I have downloaded outlook app on ios and using iphone 7. There are many emails on my main outlook email in laptop but on outlook app when i try to search emails its only showing 50 results. can you advise if i can get all my emails on outlook app on iphone
Diane Poremsky says
It sounds like you are only sync a limited number of older messages. If the account is Exchange or Outlook.com, the app should search the mailbox on the server but it won't search the search for imap accounts. AFAIK, you can't change how much syncs. You also can't change the number of results, except by change the search criteria.
Dylan Noter says
focused inbox useless
its available for me to turn off in my account, goto my mrs new account, the only friggin option missing is focussed inbox AYFKM
Diane Poremsky says
They havent turned on the focused inbox for all accounts yet, but are investigating some issues where the option is missing. One thing that worked for one person was to open the account in a different browser or incognito session.
Marc says
How can I turn off this feature in the Windows 10 Mail app?
Diane Poremsky says
Options > Reading - down at the bottom.
miserable says
I am so frustrated. I never liked the focus/other addition, but I never combined them or did anything about it. Today the Focused/Other tabs have disappeared and all I have left is "inbox" HOWEVER ALL OF THE FOCUSED emails are missing! When I click on "display" there is NO option to choose focus/Other Those words do not exist in the display option. At one point ALL the emails showed up WITHOUT the focus/other tabs, but now only the "other" emails are visible. I want to cry.
Diane Poremsky says
Are they still missing? It sounds like a view issue. (I'm trying to find out why focused disappeared.)
Mark says
I have a similar problem using outlook web mail. I moved a message from other to focused and the focused and other tabs disappeared. Now I have to move from inbox to another folder and then back to see all messages. I am using Safari on a Mac desktop. Options under layout no longer contain the item focused inbox. How can I get the tabs back?
Diane Poremsky says
Do you still have the Focused/Other tabs in the message list?
I'm trying to find out why the focused mailbox seems to be disappearing - it's gone completely from some of my accounts.
John says
I'm using the Outlook app on the iPad/iOS for the first time and I don't know what the algorithm is doing but I love it. It really is catching a whole bunch of stuff I don't want to look at. This app is one of the best on the iPad I have ever seen. My dilemma is I don't know if I can move an email from "other" to "focused." I don't see it as a menu option, though I believe it was an option before the software was purchased by Microsoft.
Diane Poremsky says
it's still an option. You need to open the message then go to the three dots - it's one of the options there.
Anonymous says
I understand how to move conversation from focused to other on Microsoft Word but cannot do it on android app?
Diane Poremsky says
It's in Settings - under the section where the accounts are listed.
Barbara Kennedy says
please help ... why would my incoming text messages end up in my FOCUSED part of my inbox and how do I correct this immediately please. Don't want to turn the FOCUSED part turned off unless necessary to correct my text showing up anywhere in my inbox. Please help
Diane Poremsky says
Sorry I missed the earlier - it sounds like you have a Samsung phone - those phones have the ability to sync text messages to the mailbox. You can turn it off on the phone, in the account settings.
sandi says
I want the OTHER gone so I don't have to keep putting everything into focused... not everyone carries a phone around that doesn't flip open! I pay for msn for a reason and will cancel this if I'm not able to get rid of the darn other part please help!
Diane Poremsky says
You can disable it in the outlook app in the apps's Options. If you use outlook on the web, you can change it in the outlook.com options.
JOHN says
Microsoft is run and staffed by idiots. the fact that they arbitrarily change this is ridiculous - even if I did like this, what determines what is focused and what isn't. My solution was the gear on the top right (Settings?)->Options (at the bottom)->Layout -> Focused inbox -> select don't sort messages and save (top left). thank you for all the unnecessary folly and waste Microsoft, and continue your reign of stupidity we all find so wasteful.
Juan says
Thanks John...could not figure how to get rid of this. I totally agree with your comment.
JOHN says
My pleasure to help you Juan.
Nick says
I finally uninstalled it. I just can't put up with the Focused-Inbox anymore. It was obviously created by someone whose done nothing but looking at porn all day and don't want to be bother with spam emails he got from it. It benefits him more than the rest of the users. That's sad, I kind of like the app on my S7, now I'm going back to the original built-in app.
JOHN says
GREAT POST!
Sherrie says
Mine doesn't even show Focused Inbox under my Layout! I want this damn thing gone!
Diane Poremsky says
Try using a different browser or clearing the browser cache.
Amy says
I got it for the iMac!
But now trying to relay it... i can't refigure out how I got it done. I basically clicked on all the settings in the top right corner and read through everything until I came to FOCUSED settings.
Now when I click on the BELL symbol, (twice) a display settings tab opens and allows me to change the FOUCSED setting right there.
Play around with it - you'll find it.
What a useless addition. Isn't that what JUNK mail folder is for? To help you separate the unimportant from the important??
Diane Poremsky says
Junk mail is actually slightly different - it's for mail that is spam, focused is for mail that is not spam but is less important, such as bulk mail. You can right click on the message in the list and mark it so it's not added to the less important list.
Gary says
I'm accessing Hotmail through Firefox. None of the suggestions listed help me to get rid of the focused and other feature. None of the paths exist, no settings selection anywhere. I just want one list in my inbox. How do I get there?
Diane Poremsky says
Try using IE or Chrome. It might be an issue with FireFox.
JOHN says
Or in the immortal words of Henny Youngman -
Patient - Doctor, it hurts when I do that.
Doctor - Don't do that.
Arif says
take a look at a comment above by JOHN
GoodManStuckNMicrosfWorld says
Once again you have countered Microsoft's utterly destructive actions against human productivity, and serious downtime which has cost me greatly, but you have stopped the hemorrhaging. You can go to bed tonight and say to yourself, "I made the world a better place today." They do not do that at Microsoft (actually they do say it, stroking themselves in self adulation), but you have done a great thing and countered their technological incompetence.
Once again, I thank you, I thank you.
The key for me with a desktop was, after drilling your link suggestion,
https://outlook.live.com/owa/?path=/options/focusedinbox
Change the selection, and click Save on top.
Moi says
OMG, thank you!
Jade Johnson says
I found a way to turn off focused inbox for PC. Just go to your settings (The little gear icon next to your picture/name at the top) and click on "Display Settings". You should see something called "Focused Inbox" in smaller font right underneath "Display Settings" Click on that, then click on "don't sort messages."
Paul S says
Thanks Jade :-)
na plenty long says
Thank you, what a pos feature. They just keep changing stuff and making worse. I still wanna go back to how it was a while ago before it became outlook and was hotmail instead.
Diane Poremsky says
Unfortunately, you are stuck with the new interface, there is no going back.
Angel says
Yep. Me too. I missed the end of two online auctions because of (yet another) feature that was forced on us.
H.E. Huber says
I'm absolutely thrilled. This solution to get rid of the two inboxes, which I hate, works.
Nan Drisgill says
I'm using outlook mail in a web browser (google) and there is no such Display Setting as "Focused inbox". All I have are "Reading Pane", "Message List", "Conversations". If I open my mail inbox, all mail is there. If I click on any other folder, say, "Junk Email", that displays okay, but when I then click back on Inbox, it shows no mail. It says "Your Focused box is cleared" and under that is "View Other inbox", but clicking either of those does nothing. I have to close the tab, and reopen it, to get my inbox back again. 1) I'd like to stop the disappearing inbox, 2) I'd like to throw the Focused Inbox out with the garbage.
Thanks,
Diane Poremsky says
Which web browser are you using? See if the messages display in a different browser or try using an in-private browser session.
BBender says
When I used Chrome I didn't get the focused box, but when I used Edge to open outlook.com I did get the 2 inboxs
Diane Poremsky says
It might be a caching issue - you should have it in all browsers, but I've seen other things where features didn't show up right away due to browser cache.
Dolores says
Thank You so much, Jade. I actually had to log out more than once with this new feature. What Stupidos at MicroSoft!
Arlene Imagawa says
Thank you Jade! This was so annoying! And your solution for my PC worked!
Jane L says
I use Outlook mail via the web on my PC.
I went into outlook this morning and all my messages have disappeared and a message stating: Your Focused Inbox is cleared. View Other inbox. There's no Other inbox and even when I click the message nothing happens.
I have 9 unread emails and I cant see them. There's nothing in Display Options that refers to Focused Inbox.
How do I find the Other inbox and how do I turn this Focused Inbox off.
Thanks, Jane
Diane Poremsky says
Are there tabs at the top of the message list for Focused and Other?
Jane L says
There are no tabs relating to Focused or Other anywhere on the screen. Just the message stating: Your Focused Inbox is cleared.
Diane Poremsky says
is focused under Layout at https://outlook.live.com/owa/?path=/options/mail ?
Wildabeast says
Thanks, yer a lifesaver. Damn Microsoft scumbags.
Nan Drisgill says
No. Under Layout, I see only
Categories
Conversations
Email signature
Link preview
Message format
Message list
Reading pane
This is driving me crazy. If I open my mail, I see the Inbox, but if I then click on any other folder, and then go back to Inbox, it's empty. If I close the tab (google browser) and reopen it, the inbox is back. I have no way to TURN OFF this awful Focused thing.
Diane Poremsky says
Do you have a screenshot of what you see in the inbox when it's empty? it might be something else.
The Focused inbox is in the process of rolling out but once it's enabled on your mailbox, the option should be available too.
Diane Poremsky says
BTW, which browser are you using? It might be a problem with the browser.
If it's focused, you should have two tabs at the top (yes, they are tabs) - click one to swap out.
Emily G says
I'm using a Hotmail.com email account - how do I turn off "Focused" on the desktop version?? This focused box is so annoying! I went through all of the "Options" - can't find anything about it. Support center says they can't help me because I'm not a paying subscriber.
Diane Poremsky says
It would be turned off in outlook on the web (it shouldn't be showing up in the desktop version for a few more days).
john says
I am frustrated with this "focused" and "other" stuff too, sometime I have to refresh several times to get both to show up. I guess I figure out (at least on my laptop) how to turn off the focused stuff. Click on that "gear" symbol (beside the ? symbol) on the top right, then "display settings", follow by "focused other" and turn it off from there.
Diane Poremsky says
the steps on the outlook app for smartphones is similar - go into settings then scroll down and turn focused inbox off.
Jo L says
OMG, Thank you! I do not like the separation, either
Les says
Thank you I couldn't figure out how to get rid of it.
MKleis says
Thank you for the info on how to turn it off. Checked emails twice today, missing an important message as the Focussed feature hid it.
Paul S says
Emily.....Jade had the answer for you (a few messages up from yours). I tried it and it worked.
Her instructions:
Jade Johnson
November 7, 2016 3:47 pm
I found a way to turn off focused inbox for PC. Just go to your settings (The little gear icon next to your picture/name at the top) and click on "Display Settings". You should see something called "Focused Inbox" in smaller font right underneath "Display Settings" Click on that, then click on "don't sort messages."
frustrated says
AS usual, internet help is never good. I go to the upper left, and there is no account setting icon. Every other icon in the world but that one. guess I'll have to stick with this frustrating other and focused bs forever.
Diane Poremsky says
Which Outlook are you using? Outlook 2016, Outlook for iOS, for Android, Mac, or Outlook on the web in your browser? How to disable it is different on each version. (It's not supposed to be enabled in Desktop or web versions for a few more days.)
This page is about Outlook for iOS and Outlook for Android.
Jim says
Hi, if you follow the link that person provided, it will take you right to the correct setting option.
Angela I Sneed says
I don't see a menu button on the top left of my screen (desktop version - haven't even looked at my phone yet). Please help - this focused thing is NOT helpful to me at all!
Diane Poremsky says
Are you using Outlook 2015 on Windows or Mac? There isn't a menu button in desktop outlook - that is where it is on Android devices. Look in Options on Outlook 2016 on your desktop version.
Linda Marshall says
I'm not sure which version I have on my desktop - I usually do my updates, though. When I click on Options, there's nothing about folders or focused inbox, or anything that seems useful.
I really don't like this, BTW - do not need my email supplier deciding for me which parts of my mail I want to see. I don't open a lot of the emails I need, as just seeing them show up gives me the information I want. Now I have to go searching, which defeats the entire purpose. You could have just made this an option available to those who want it, rather than making it the default. Very poor customer service, IMO.
And I see I have a box to tick, to be notified of new replies to this comment. Wonder where they'll show up, and how far I have to search to see them.
Diane Poremsky says
Go to File, Office Account in Outlook. What is the build number - it should be on the right, under Office Updates.
Claudie says
I recently received a notification saying my focused box in outlook is clear. ..I didn't clear it and need my mail that was there. West happened to my mail?
Diane Poremsky says
Focused inbox isn't really a separate inbox, it's a view on the inbox that show more important mail and less important email separately. Did you more the mail to another folder on a decktop computer? Are you using POP3 on another computer and deleted mail off of the server?
terrellterp says
This article was very helpful. I wanted to get a notification when I received any email, but that didn't happen if the email went to "Other". Thank you for your clear instructions on how to turn of Focus Inbox.
justcloud says
Great article! thanks :)
LL says
Focused inbox is useless. It hasn't been right, yet.
tony gallagher says
Hi Diane,
You might be interested to know that I recently installed Office for MAC 2016 Beta on my desktop iMAC.
I reslised I was seeing all my email in the InBox of Outlook on the desktop. when I compared it to my phone I noticed I was only seeing the Focused emails and not Other.
I could see no way of turning ot off on he desktop so I used your article above to turn it off on the phone and Bingo! the missing desktop emails started to appear.
This is potentially a big deal but hey ho, there are so many of these,
Christina says
On your desktop go into your Outlook email and click on settings. Next click on options. At the bottom under layout there is a line that says Focused Inbox. Click on that and change it to Don't Sort Messages.
Diane Poremsky says
Is this in outlook 2016 for Mac, correct?
Christina says
No. Sorry I forgot to put that it was in Windows. I would think there would be something similar for Mac in the settings.
Diane Poremsky says
Mac has Preferences for most things.
miserable says
Like someone else up the thread, when following these instructions there is no line which says, "Focused inbox". It's so aggravating because sometimes I only see what is in the other box, and other times I can see every email. Also the words Focused and Other have disappeared from my inbox as of today. In fact now there is only one word which is visible "Inbox". The two ways suggested on this thread to fix the issue do not apply because the words "Focus/Other" are not available options. I just wish that I could always see every email in the inbox every time I open it. Suddenly viewing all my emails is not an option! That's just crazy.
Diane Poremsky says
It sounds like Focused was turned off - it seems like it was turned off for everyone (and they turned my Clutter back on.)
Options didn't always update when they turned focused on.