Outlook reading pane automatically reverts back to default setting, how do i prevent that

Question

Outlook reading pane automatically reverts back to default setting, how do i prevent that

Hanlie Eagleton 16

After setting the reading pane to not mark as read, it works for a while and then automatically reverts back to marking items read when the cursor goes over it. I go in and untick the box again and click on save, but it keeps on happening. How do I keep it from reverting?

CVPinstall 1 Reputation point

2022-02-14T18:18:04.103+00:00

The answer above did not work for me and I have the same issue
Dbotman 0 Reputation points

2023-02-17T19:25:00.8233333+00:00

Hello,

I have the same issues since a few days.
Eries Manansala 0 Reputation points

2023-03-08T02:32:27.92+00:00

I think the reason is because you have shared account to others which prefers different settings. That's why every time you restart your Outlook it will set to different settings based on that particular user setup.
Hanlie Eagleton 16 Reputation points

2023-03-08T07:09:55.4233333+00:00

No shared account and it's not only when I restart Outlook, it happens about every 10 minutes, it resets back to automatically mark as read. I then have to go back to file, options, mail, reading pane and untick the box. Very annoying and I miss some emails that's marked as read and i didn't read it....
Kelly Green 5 Reputation points

2023-06-02T18:04:08.13+00:00

Same thing for me and now it is happening every time I open a new email?! So frustrating. Tried restarting computer, etc., and it is no help. Just started happening this week.
MxYz Pdlk 5 Reputation points

2023-06-08T16:27:19.1833333+00:00

Same challenge (along with missing icons for files and other application challenges). It seems routinely that MS developers are taking away functionality for eye-candy and there are serious issues with bugs and "try this work around" which really don't seem to work and we shouldn't need in the first place. Then we just get stuck in some loopback about targeting the issue and resolving it - is that because MS has the same issues and can't figure it out? Or maybe they are just using MAC or Linux and are no longer familiar with their own product...

Notice a lot of resolution comments are about ensuring the latest is installed - when it is the latest that brings up the issue in the first place.

3 answers

Your answer

CVPinstall 1 Reputation point

2022-02-14T18:18:04.103+00:00

The answer above did not work for me and I have the same issue
Dbotman 0 Reputation points

2023-02-17T19:25:00.8233333+00:00

Hello,

I have the same issues since a few days.
Eries Manansala 0 Reputation points

2023-03-08T02:32:27.92+00:00

I think the reason is because you have shared account to others which prefers different settings. That's why every time you restart your Outlook it will set to different settings based on that particular user setup.
Hanlie Eagleton 16 Reputation points

2023-03-08T07:09:55.4233333+00:00

No shared account and it's not only when I restart Outlook, it happens about every 10 minutes, it resets back to automatically mark as read. I then have to go back to file, options, mail, reading pane and untick the box. Very annoying and I miss some emails that's marked as read and i didn't read it....
Kelly Green 5 Reputation points

2023-06-02T18:04:08.13+00:00

Same thing for me and now it is happening every time I open a new email?! So frustrating. Tried restarting computer, etc., and it is no help. Just started happening this week.
MxYz Pdlk 5 Reputation points

2023-06-08T16:27:19.1833333+00:00

Same challenge (along with missing icons for files and other application challenges). It seems routinely that MS developers are taking away functionality for eye-candy and there are serious issues with bugs and "try this work around" which really don't seem to work and we shouldn't need in the first place. Then we just get stuck in some loopback about targeting the issue and resolving it - is that because MS has the same issues and can't figure it out? Or maybe they are just using MAC or Linux and are no longer familiar with their own product...

Notice a lot of resolution comments are about ensuring the latest is installed - when it is the latest that brings up the issue in the first place.

Answer 1

Faery Fu-MSFT 19,751 Moderator

Hi @Hanlie Eagleton ,
Welcome to our forum!
Based on my research and tests on my Outlook version2201(build 14827.20192), the option wouldn't be changed when I close and restart Outlook client, chek if the issueis related to your client itself, so what's the version of your Outlook (File>Office account>About Outlook)?
Please first ensure that you have installed the latest update of Outlook client(File > Office Account > Update Options > Update Now)

Besides, have you performed any other operations except updating office before it (such as install any programs or add-ins)?
If in this case, run outlook in safe mode: Windows + R , type "outlook.exe /safe", click enter> modify the option settings>close the Outlook>restart Outlook in safe mode again to check if the option would be changed).

If the issue continues in safe mode, it's suggested to create a new Outlook profile and readd your account for testing(Control Panel>Mail>show profiles>Add>Readd your account).

If the issue still exists, please try to repair your Outlook to check.

If your issue has any updte, please let me know at your earliest convenience.
Warm thanks!

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".
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Faery Fu-MSFT 19,751 Reputation points Moderator

2022-02-14T09:24:36.4+00:00

Hi @Hanlie Eagleton ,
I am writing to check if you have tried the suggestions I mentioned before.
If the issue has been resolved, please mark the helpful replies as answers, this will make answer searching in the forum easier and be beneficial to other community members as well.
If you need further help, please provide more detailed information, so that we can give more appropriate suggestions.

Warm thanks!
Hanlie Eagleton 16 Reputation points

2022-02-15T06:46:39.493+00:00

Hi, I've tried it but it doesn't work for very long.... it reverts back again eventually. Could it have something to do with Windows 11? I'm the only one with 11 in the office and also the only one experiencing this issue.
Faery Fu-MSFT 19,751 Reputation points Moderator

2022-02-15T07:38:11.82+00:00

Hi @Hanlie Eagleton ,
What solution have you taken and worked for a while?
what's the version of your Outlook (File>Office account>About Outlook)?
I will appreciate if you get back to my at your convenience, because your response is of great importance for the following trouble shooting. If you need further help, please provide more detailed information, so that we can give more appropriate suggestions.

I look forward to hearing from you.
Hanlie Eagleton 16 Reputation points

2022-02-15T07:52:16.98+00:00

Outlook is up to date, Version 2201 Build 16.0.14827.20186) 64 bit. When doing the repair option, it only allows up to Windows 10 to choose from. I haven't performed any other operations as per your question in your initial answer.
Faery Fu-MSFT 19,751 Reputation points Moderator

2022-02-15T08:28:02.707+00:00
Hi @Hanlie Eagleton ,

When doing the repair option, it only allows up to Windows 10 to choose from.

To repair office in windows11, follow the steps:
Open Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features.
Right-click office program and select Change, then choose online repair.

Besides, check if the issue is related to some third-party add-ins, run outlook in safe mode: Windows + R , type "outlook.exe /safe"

Best regards,
Faery Fu-MSFT 19,751 Reputation points Moderator

2022-02-21T09:14:26.913+00:00

Hi @Hanlie Eagleton ,

I am writing to check if you have tried the suggestions I mentioned before. If you think my answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" to help other people search easier.

If you need further help, please provide more detailed information, so that we can give more appropriate suggestions.

Warm thanks!

Answer 2

Jay Cee No.1 0

There is a very easy solution to this, where you can set all your folders to the same default (no preview pane). Follow the MS instructions here.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/730372/outlook-reading-pane-automatically-reverts-back-to

It worked for me and I now longer have this problem!

Hanlie Eagleton 16 Reputation points

2023-09-06T08:25:32.1533333+00:00

Thank you Jay Cee, please post the link to instruction again
Miller, Janie 0 Reputation points

2025-05-12T13:33:01.0833333+00:00

Jay Cee - can you please repost the link for the MS Instructions? thank you! (your link above is only to this topic conversation).

Answer 3

Miriam Febles Más 0

Follow instructions in this video and your problems will be solved:

https://www.groovypost.com/howto/turn-off-the-reading-pane-for-all-folders-at-once-in-outlook/

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Outlook reading pane automatically reverts back to default setting, how do i prevent that

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