How do you make outlook stop auto-expanding mail folders (and persist the current state)

Question

How do you make outlook stop auto-expanding mail folders (and persist the current state)

Pieter Claassens 45

It's very annoying that outlook keeps on auto expanding mail folders? How can one "teach" outlook to persist these folder states?

Version info: Microsoft 365 Apps for business

Outlook (ver. 2510 (Build: 19328.20178)

thx!

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Answer 1

Jayden-P 26,280 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hi @Pieter Claassens

Thank you for posting your question in the Microsoft Q&A forum.

To assist you better, I will need more information.

Can you clarify the emails folder is number 1 or number 2?

User's image

For number 1, I tested with all the mailboxes collapsed, when I close Outlook and reopen it, only the first account will be expanded, the rest remains collapsed.

For number 2, you can set the view to be collapsed by going to View > View Settings > Group by > All collapsed.

User's image

If this is not what you referred to, please provide a screenshot so I can assist you more effectively.

I hope this information helps.

I look forward for your reply.

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Pieter Claassens 45 Reputation points

2025-11-14T09:20:34.68+00:00

Thank you! this solved it !! awesome!
Jayden-P 26,280 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-11-14T09:22:19.31+00:00

Hi @Pieter Claassens

I'm glad that it worked for you.
khaled abunijaila 0 Reputation points

2026-05-21T15:32:14.0066667+00:00

Hi Jayden is there a way to have the number 1 stay collapsed? I have what I need on favorites but everytime I get an email while the actual email pane (1) is collapsed it expands on its own
Jayden-P 26,280 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-05-22T07:09:13.3433333+00:00

Hi @khaled abunijaila

Thank you for sharing your issue.

I have tested and when I receive a new email, the email pane (1) does not auto expand itself.

Additionally, since this appears to be a different scenario, I recommend creating a new thread and including details such as your Outlook version and screenshots. This will help avoid mixing multiple issues in one discussion and allow moderators to focus on your specific case more effectively.

Creating a separate thread will also enable us to request additional information via private message if needed, while helping protect personal or organizational data.

Thank you for your understanding.