why is the focused inbox missing on my windows 11 computer, but not my older windows 10 unit?

Question

why is the focused inbox missing on my windows 11 computer, but not my older windows 10 unit?

Jim Haupt 5

I recently acquired a windows 11 computer. In tranferring from my old windows 10 unit to the new Windows 11 unit I found that Microsoft 365 (outlook client) does not have a focused inbox option for my outlook.com account. The focused inbox exists on my old computer (also using Microsoft 365) and on my mobile devices.

I tried the registry hack: Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\AutoDiscover ExcludeLastKnownGoodURL REG_DWORD 1
but without success.

Suggestions?

Thanks!

3 answers

Your answer

Answer 1

S.Sengupta 24,476 MVP

Open File > Options > Customize Ribbon

Under Choose commands from select All Tabs and under Customize the Ribbon select Main Tabs.

In the column on the right, select View.

From the column on the left search under View for Focused Inbox and if you see it, select it and click the Add >> button in the middle to add it to the View section on the right.

You may also try:

Repair an Office application

Answer 2

Jim Haupt 5

There seems to be have been a system update this week and windows prompted me to 'finish setting up my PC'. Anyway - I now have my Other inbox.

Thank you.

Answer 3

SokiGuo-MSFT 31,526 Microsoft External Staff

Hi @Jim Haupt

Based on my tests, my current Microsoft 365 account (Version 2307 Build 16.0.16626.20086) displays the Focused Inbox correctly on Windows 11.

As I know, In Outlook for Windows, Focused Inbox is available only for Microsoft 365, Exchange, and Outlook.com accounts. What's your account? Please make sure your account is one of three.

Based on the above, please check if the "Show Focused Inbox" option is enabled in View tab, as shown in the below image.

User's image

In addition, I found a similar issue: when you use Microsoft 365 account and switch from the Inbox to other folders, such as the Sent Items folder, and then you return to Inbox, the Focused Inbox option disappears. Additionally, the option on the View tab to turn on or off the Focused Inbox also disappears. If it is your issue, please refer to resolution and workaround in the below image:

For more information, please refer to: Focused Inbox disappears when you switch folders in Outlook.
(Note: Serious problems can occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Before making changes, back up the registry to restore it in case something goes wrong.)

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Jim Haupt 5 Reputation points

2023-07-28T11:52:35.88+00:00

Thank you. I hadnt considered changing the ribbon settings. It didnt solve the problem but it was worth trying. I now see WHERE the focused inbox icon should be on the tray - but there is no icon, and clicking in the box does not do anything.

I also tried the quick repair/reboot, and then the longer 'online repair'/reboot. But without success. I guess my next step will be to reset or reinstall microsoft 365.

microsoft 365 works on my old computer just fine. I didnt realize how much I appreciated the focused inbox until I didnt have it!
Jim Haupt 5 Reputation points

2023-07-28T11:54:38.78+00:00

Thanks - I am using an outlook.com account, and I had already found and tried the registry update. But it did not resolve this problem.
SokiGuo-MSFT 31,526 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2023-08-01T01:54:24.6566667+00:00

Hi

Have you configured your account as an IMAP or POP account?

Based on my tests, I configured outlook.com account so that Pop/IMAP doesn't show a focused inbox.
Jim Haupt 5 Reputation points

2023-08-01T03:11:14.2333333+00:00

It is set as an ms exchange account. I've uninstalled microsoft 365, and removed the old folders (localappdata/microsoft/outlook) and i still do not have the focused inbox.
Jim Haupt 5 Reputation points

2023-08-01T03:14:05.2166667+00:00

The account is configured as an Exchange account. I've also uninstalled and reinstalled outlook. I've also removed the localappdata/microsoft/outlook and restarted outlook.
SokiGuo-MSFT 31,526 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2023-08-02T07:15:57.7066667+00:00
Hi

Please try the following PowerShell example to turn on Focused Inbox in your organization:

Set-OrganizationConfig -FocusedInboxOn $true

For more details, you could refer to: Configure Focused Inbox for everyone in your organization - Microsoft 365 admin | Microsoft Learn.
SokiGuo-MSFT 31,526 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2023-08-07T07:31:36.4033333+00:00

Hi

Haven't received your message for a long time.

Do you have any further issue on this topic?
Jim Haupt 5 Reputation points

2023-08-07T12:32:08.6833333+00:00

opps - resubmitting
Jim Haupt 5 Reputation points

2023-08-07T12:38:17.7066667+00:00
Here are the results of the set-organizationConfig in powershell.

PS C:\Users\jimha> Set-OrganizationConfig -FocusedInboxOn $true Set-OrganizationConfig : The term 'Set-OrganizationConfig' is not recognized as the name of a cmdlet, function, script file, or operable program. Check the spelling of the name, or if a path was included, verify that the path is correct and try again. At line:1 char:1 + Set-OrganizationConfig -FocusedInboxOn $true + ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ + CategoryInfo : ObjectNotFound: (Set-OrganizationConfig:String) [], CommandNotFoundException + FullyQualifiedErrorId : CommandNotFoundException

In any event, the problem continues - on my new windows 11 computer I do not have the focused inbox. I only have the read and unread options. I'm using Microsoft® Outlook® for Microsoft 365 MSO (Version 2307 Build 16.0.16626.20086) 64-bit.

My version of windows 11 pro is 22h2, OS build 22621.1992

I've tried uninstalling and reinstalling Microsoft 365.

I've tried adding the registry entry.

I've tried 'fixing' Microsoft 365.

I've tried deleting the ost files and recreating the account.

I've also modified to the ribbon so that it shows the space where the focused inbox option would be, if it existed.

The focused inbox works on my windows 10 computer, and on my android devices.
SokiGuo-MSFT 31,526 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2023-08-08T07:46:26.2366667+00:00

Hi

According to the error message, the command you entered is not recognized.

The focused inbox works on my windows 10 computer, and on my android devices.

In order to narrow down whether this phenomenon is related to Outlook clients, it is recommended that you check for similar behavior in Windows 11 OWA.
Jim Haupt 5 Reputation points

2023-08-09T13:30:22.89+00:00
Interesting, the command was a copy and paste from SokiGuo-MSFT on Aug 2nd.

Set-OrganizationConfig -FocusedInboxOn $true

After closer review - perhaps a space ' ' is required between Set and -OrganizationConfig.

But that did not work either - the error is now:

PS C:\Users\jimha> Set -OrganizationConfig -FocusedInboxOn $true Set-Variable : A parameter cannot be found that matches parameter name 'OrganizationConfig'. At line:1 char:5 + Set -OrganizationConfig -FocusedInboxOn $true + ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ + CategoryInfo : InvalidArgument: (:) [Set-Variable], ParameterBindingException + FullyQualifiedErrorId : NamedParameterNotFound,Microsoft.PowerShell.Commands.SetVariableCommand

I'm not a powershell user, so this might be a simple error that someone experienced with powershell can identify.

Here is the recap from reply of Aug 7th. I believe it addresses the other recommendations that you have made. I would be grateful for any constructive advice.

In any event, the problem continues - on my new windows 11 computer I do not have the focused inbox. I only have the read and unread options. I'm using Microsoft® Outlook® for Microsoft 365 MSO (Version 2307 Build 16.0.16626.20086) 64-bit.

My version of windows 11 pro is 22h2, OS build 22621.1992

I've tried uninstalling and reinstalling Microsoft 365.

I've tried adding the registry entry.

I've tried 'fixing' Microsoft 365.

I've tried deleting the ost files and recreating the account.

I've also modified to the ribbon so that it shows the space where the focused inbox option would be, if it existed.

The focused inbox works on my windows 10 computer, and on my android devices.
SokiGuo-MSFT 31,526 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2023-08-14T01:28:41.85+00:00

Hi

We will do some research and if there are any updates will be posted here.

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why is the focused inbox missing on my windows 11 computer, but not my older windows 10 unit?

3 answers

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