I would like to change my inbox view back to the regular style

Because the Inbox is not clickable, first clear anything blocking Classic Outlook; once the folder responds, reset it to the default Compact view.

1. Make the Inbox clickable again

1. Check for a hidden Outlook dialog
   • Press Alt+Tab and look for an Outlook confirmation or sign-in window.
   • Complete or close it. An open modal dialog can prevent interaction with the main Outlook window. ^1^
2. Check Outlook’s status bar
   • If it says Outlook is processing, moving, or deleting messages, allow that operation to finish. Large operations can temporarily make Outlook appear frozen. ^1^
3. If it remains unclickable, start Outlook in Safe Mode
   • Close Outlook.
   • Press Windows key, type: outlook.exe /safe
   • Press Enter.
   • Select the normal Outlook profile if prompted.

Safe Mode starts Classic Outlook without its usual add-ins. ^2^

2. Restore the regular Inbox view

When Inbox becomes selectable:

1. Select Inbox.
2. Open the View tab.
3. Select Reset View, then confirm.
4. If necessary, select View → Change View → Compact.

Compact is the default Classic Outlook Inbox view. Resetting the view removes custom Inbox layout settings. ^3^ ^4^

To restore the message preview afterward, use View → Reading Pane → Right or Bottom.

3. If it works only in Safe Mode

An add-in may be interfering:

1. In Outlook, select File → Options → Add-ins.
2. At the bottom, choose COM Add-ins, then select Go.
3. Record or screenshot the enabled add-ins.
4. Clear their checkboxes to disable them—do not remove them.
5. Restart Outlook normally.
6. Re-enable the add-ins one at a time, restarting Outlook after each, until the issue returns. ^4^

4. If Outlook remains unusable

Create a test Outlook profile:

1. Close Outlook.
2. Open Control Panel → User Accounts → Mail → Show Profiles.
3. Select Add, name the profile, and add the business account using its sign-in credentials.
4. Choose Prompt for a profile to be used.
5. Start Outlook and select the new profile.

Do not delete the original profile or its data files while testing. If the new profile works, the original profile is likely damaged. ^1^

References

1. Classic Outlook not responding, stuck at Processing, stopped working, or freezes | Microsoft Support
2. Classic Outlook
3. New Outlook
4. outlook changed views on its own and i can't get it back to how it was - Microsoft Q&A