Check boxes have disappeared

Question

Check boxes have disappeared

Sue G 20

I've been using Hotmail for nearly 30 years. The visible checkbox column for selecting emails has disappeared, and I can no longer manage my inbox as efficiently as before. I've searched the settings and tested multiple browsers. If there is a way to restore the old behavior, please tell me how. If not, please pass this feedback to the Outlook team. Please stop fixing things that aren't broken.

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Answer accepted by question author

Brian Tillman 27,580 Independent Advisor

Hi. I'm Brian and I'll try to help.

When I log into my Outlook.com account, I see the check boxes. They're to the left of each message. If you don't see them, click the Select icon (a box) at the right side of the folder's name in the message list pane.

eoin mahon 0 Reputation points

2026-10-11T00:55:19.8833333+00:00

Thanks but dont see the Select icon
Sue G 20 Reputation points

2026-10-11T00:58:45.9+00:00

Thank you for your help and prompt reply.
Deirdre Goldsworth 0 Reputation points

2026-10-12T13:08:33.2466667+00:00

Brian - not super helpful for me either as I do not see the Select icon either. the only thing to the right of the folder name is the 3 horizontal dots that open a menu for things like creating a new subfolder, etc.

but here's a solution that worked for me - in case others are having similar issues:
I went to settings (top left of the ribbon), in Message List there's a section for Layout and there are three options: pick the "checkboxes" option and you'll get them back

seriously MS, how hard is it to leave things alone so people don't have to jump through these stupid hoops when you update things?

1 additional answer

Your answer

eoin mahon 0 Reputation points

2026-10-11T00:55:19.8833333+00:00

Thanks but dont see the Select icon
Sue G 20 Reputation points

2026-10-11T00:58:45.9+00:00

Thank you for your help and prompt reply.
Deirdre Goldsworth 0 Reputation points

2026-10-12T13:08:33.2466667+00:00

Brian - not super helpful for me either as I do not see the Select icon either. the only thing to the right of the folder name is the 3 horizontal dots that open a menu for things like creating a new subfolder, etc.

but here's a solution that worked for me - in case others are having similar issues:
I went to settings (top left of the ribbon), in Message List there's a section for Layout and there are three options: pick the "checkboxes" option and you'll get them back

seriously MS, how hard is it to leave things alone so people don't have to jump through these stupid hoops when you update things?

Answer 1

No Checkboxes - Microsoft has changed the User Interface and added a new Setting

File > Settings > Mail > Message list > Layout > How do you want messages to appear in the message list:

Sender images
Checkboxes
Name only

And if you had previously turned off "Show sender images", it defaults to "Name only" which doesn't have checkboxes.

You can also use the [Select] button above the Message List to temporarily show the Checkboxes.

User's image

If you don't have the new Setting yet:

If "Show sender images" is enabled at File -> Settings -> Mail -> Message List -> Layout, you won't see Checkboxes unless you hover over the "sender image" (picture or Initial), or use the "Select" button,

User's image

Turn OFF "Show sender images", and you get the Checkboxes back.

User's image

Thanks to Reddit User sprkls, who first reported the UI change and the new Settings.