Some of my folder names in my outlook inbox have changed to another language

Question

Some of my folder names in my outlook email inbox have changed to another language. Not all of them. How do I change them back?

Answer 1

If some Outlook folder names changed to another language, your account or Outlook language settings may have been altered. Check Outlook’s language preferences and account settings, then restart Outlook. If needed, reset default folder names or contact Microsoft support for assistance.

Answer 2

Hi,   

I understand that some Outlook.com folder names changed to another language, and you want to change them back. Please reply with the following:

• Whether the changed folders are default folders (such as Inbox / Sent / Drafts) or folders you created yourself
• Whether the wrong names appear only in Outlook.com on the web or also in Outlook for Windows/mobile

Also try the steps below:

1) Check whether the affected folders are custom folders or default folders

In Outlook.com, right-click the affected folder.

• If you see Rename, it is likely a custom folder. Select Rename, type the correct folder name, and then press Enter.
• If Rename is not available, it is likely a default Outlook folder, such as Inbox, Drafts, Sent Items, Deleted Items, Junk Email, or Archive.

Default folders cannot be renamed manually in Outlook.com. They must be reset through the mailbox language/default-folder settings instead. You can also refer to Microsoft’s folder guidance here: Working with message folders in Outlook.com | Microsoft Support

2) If the folder names look wrong only in the browser, refresh the Outlook.com web session

• Sign out of Outlook.com.
• Clear your browser cache.
• Close all browser tabs and windows.
• Sign back in at Outlook.com and check the folder list again.

3) If you also use Outlook for Windows with the same Outlook.com account, reset the default folder names from Windows

• Close Outlook.
• Press Windows + R.
• Run the following command, and then press Enter: Outlook.exe /resetfolders
• Close Outlook again.
• Press Windows + R again.
• Run the following command, and then press Enter: Outlook.exe /resetfoldernames

4) If this only happens in Outlook.com on the web, reset the default-folder language from Outlook on the web

• Exit Outlook.
• Sign in to Outlook on the web.
• Go to Settings > View all Outlook settings.
• Select General > Language and time.
• In the Language list, choose your preferred language.
• Select Rename default folders so their names match the specified language.
• Select Save.
• If your preferred language is already selected, switch temporarily to another language, save, then switch back and save again.
• Restart Outlook and check the folder names again.

Please tell me how it goes. If the problem persists, please don’t hesitate to reply to this thread and I will be happy to help. Have a lovely day!  

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Answer 3

Some default Outlook folders can switch language independently of others. Resetting the default folder names restores them to the preferred language.

Follow these steps using Outlook on the web (works for Outlook.com and Exchange mailboxes):

1. Close any Outlook desktop apps.
2. Sign in to Outlook on the web with the affected account.
3. Select Settings (gear icon) > View all Outlook settings.
4. Go to General > Language and time.
5. In Language, select the preferred language.
6. Select the checkbox Rename default folders so their names match the specified language.
7. Choose the desired date and time format, then select Save.
8. Sign out of Outlook on the web, then sign back in or restart Outlook desktop and verify the folder names.

If the preferred language is already selected and folder names are still wrong:

1. In Language, temporarily choose a different language and select the Rename default folders checkbox, then Save.
2. Change back to the preferred language, again select Rename default folders, and Save.
3. Restart Outlook and check the folder names.

If an error appears saying default folders cannot be localized, there may be custom folders whose names match default folder names in the target language. In that case, rename those custom folders to unique names first, then repeat the steps above.

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References:

• Issues with default folders in Outlook
• Cannot localize the default folders error when changing default folder names to another language in Outlook on the web
• Email messages are stuck in Outbox in Outlook 2016 for Mac