In Outlook Classic, can folders be created at the root level instead of the Inbox (IMAP)?

Question

Folders I create at the Root level of an IMAP mailbox are marked as "This computer only", and are not synced to the email server. The only folders that get synced are those I create under the Inbox.

Is this expected behavior?

Thanks.

Jan

(Windows 11, Microsoft® Outlook® for Microsoft 365 MSO (Version 2603 Build 16.0.19822.20086) 64-bit)

Answer 1

Yes, that behavior is expected for many IMAP accounts in Outlook Classic.

Explanation:

• In Outlook/MAPI, every message store has a root folder and then an IPM subtree (the part intended for user mail, typically where Inbox and its siblings live).
• Folders created in the proper IPM subtree (for IMAP, usually under Inbox or under whatever folder the server exposes as the top of the user-visible hierarchy) are generic folders that sync with the server.
• Folders created directly under the message store root instead of under the IPM subtree are effectively outside the normal mail hierarchy. Outlook can treat these as local-only folders, which show as “This computer only” and do not sync.

So for an IMAP mailbox where the provider exposes the hierarchy under Inbox, only folders created under Inbox (or its subfolders) will sync. Folders created at the root level of the store are expected to remain local and not synchronize.

To ensure folders sync with the server, create them under Inbox or under whatever folder your IMAP provider designates as the top of the mail hierarchy.

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References:

• MAPI Folders
• MAPI Special Folders
• MAPI Hidden Folders