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Classic Outlook - how do I arrange my inbox by conversation

Connie Weber 20 Reputation points
2026-05-08T18:22:58.45+00:00

I'm using Microsoft® Outlook® for Microsoft 365 MSO (Version 2604 Build 16.0.19929.20106) 64-bit and desperately want to arrange my inbox by conversation. Help!

Outlook | Windows | Classic Outlook for Windows | For business
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Ian-Ng 13,435 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
2026-05-08T18:51:39.9566667+00:00

Hi @Connie Weber,

Thank you for reaching out.  

Based on your inquiry, since you are using Classic Outlook for Windows, you can arrange your Inbox by conversation using Show as Conversations. 

Please follow these steps to arrange your inbox by conversation: 

  1. Open your Inbox or any mail folder. 
  2. Go to the View tab. 
  3. Select Show as Conversations.
    User's image
  4. Or click on Current View, then choose _Show as Conversations.
    _User's image
  5. When prompted, choose This folder if you want it only for the Inbox, or All mailboxes if you want the same view across all mail folders. 

If you would like to adjust how conversations appear, you can also go to View > Conversation Settings and review the available options, such as showing messages from other folders or using the classic indented view. User's image

Please note that in Classic Outlook, messages inside each conversation are shown with the newest message on top, and that order cannot be changed. 

I hope this helps. If the option is already enabled but the messages still do not group correctly, feel free to reply with a screenshot of your View tab and I will be glad to help further. 

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.

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  1. AI answer

    2026-05-08T18:23:05.4566667+00:00

    To arrange the inbox by conversation in Classic Outlook for Windows:

    1. In Outlook, go to the View tab on the ribbon.
    2. Select Show as Conversations to turn Conversation view on.
    3. In the prompt, choose This folder (to apply only to the current folder) or All mailboxes (to apply everywhere).
    4. In the message list, conversations with multiple messages will now appear with a triangular expand/collapse icon that can be selected to show or hide the messages in that conversation.

    Optional conversation settings:

    1. On the View tab, select Conversation Settings.
    2. Choose any of the following as needed:
      • Show Messages from Other Folders – include related items from other folders and Sent Items.
      • Show Senders Above the Subject – display sender names at the top of the conversation.
      • Always Expand Selected Conversation – keep the currently selected conversation expanded.
      • Use Classic Indented View – indent replies according to their position in the thread.

    Within each conversation, messages are always sorted with the newest message on top and this order cannot be changed.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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