If you want to organize your messages in Outlook.com, you can create new folders or rename, move, or delete existing folders. You can also set up rules so that Outlook.com automatically moves messages into folders depending on conditions that you specify.
- If you can't see your folders, select the arrow next to Folders to expand the folder list.
- There is an issue where some folders might not be visible in the folder list. You can find items in the missing folders using search. We are aware of the issue and are working on a fix.
Default folders
By default, your account starts with these folders:
- Inbox Incoming messages arrive in your inbox unless you’ve created an Inbox rule to redirect them to another folder, or they’re identified as junk email.
- Junk Email Messages that have junk email characteristics but that aren’t blocked by a spam filter before they reach your mailbox will automatically be moved to this folder. Learn more about how to mark email as junk or block senders in Outlook.com.
- Drafts If you start writing a message but don't finish, it will automatically be saved to your Drafts folder. You can come back to the message later to continue editing it, and then send it.
- Sent Items By default, a copy of every message you send is put in your Sent Items folder.
- Deleted Items When you delete a message, it’s moved to the Deleted Items folder.
- Archive This is a good place to store messages that you're done working with but might want to refer to later. Moving messages that you're done with to Archive helps reduce clutter in your Inbox.
Context menus for folders
Most of what you can do with a folder can be found in the context menu that appears when you right-click a folder.
- Create new subfolder Use to create a new subfolder in the folder you right-clicked.
- Delete folder Moves the folder and all its contents to Deleted Items. Default folders, such as the Inbox folder, can't be deleted.
- Delete all Moves all the items in the selected folder to Deleted Items.
- Mark all as read Marks as read all items in the selected folder.
- Rename Give the folder a different name. Default folders, such as the Inbox folder, can't be renamed.
Create a folder
Create new folders to organize your messages as you like. For example, you can create a folder for a specific project, for all messages from a particular person, or for all messages sent to a distribution group that you’re a member of.
Create a new folder
- At the bottom of the folder pane, select New folder. You might need to scroll down in the folder list to see New folder.
- In the new folder box, enter a name for the folder and then press Enter.When you create a new folder, it is added in alphabetical order below the Archive folder.
Create a new subfolder
- In the folder pane, right-click the folder to which you want to add a subfolder.
- Select Create new subfolder.
- In the new folder box, enter a name for the folder and press Enter.
Rename a folder
- In the folder pane, right-click the folder you want to rename.
- Select Rename.
- Enter a name for the folder and press Enter.
Move a folder
You can't change the order of folders under Folders, and you can't move sub-folders into the main Folders menu. Sub-folders must always be inside another folder.
You can reorder folders or any other items in your Favorites list. To add a folder to Favorites, right-click the folder and then select Add to Favorites.
Delete a folder
- In the folder pane, right-click the folder or subfolder you want to delete.
- Select Delete folder.
- Select OK to confirm.
Deleted Items folder
When you delete a message or folder, it’s moved to the Deleted Items folder. You can either manually remove messages from the folder or you can set Outlook.com to automatically empty your Deleted Items folder when you sign out.