How do I open my email with one click like I used to?

Enable the Reading Pane in New Outlook so one click displays a message in the same window, then check Outlook’s Junk email security setting separately to restore disabled links.

Restore one-click email viewing

1. Open Outlook.
2. Select View on the ribbon.
3. Under Layout, select Reading Pane.
4. Choose either:
   • Show on the right, or
   • Show on the bottom.

Now, selecting an email once should display it beside or below the message list. Popout only intentionally requires a double-click and opens the message in a separate window. ^1^

You can also change this through Settings → Mail → Layout → Reading pane, where the available layouts include Right, Bottom, Fill screen, and Popout only. ^2^

Restore links in messages

In New Outlook, links should normally be enabled:

1. Select Settings (the gear icon).
2. Go to Mail → Junk email.
3. Under Security options, locate Block attachments, pictures, and links from anyone not in my Safe senders and domains list.
4. If links fail only in messages from a sender you trust, the safer option is to add that sender or domain to Safe senders and domains.
5. If links fail in every message, clear the blocking option and select Save. ^3^

Clearing that option can expose links, pictures, and attachments from untrusted senders. Avoid opening unexpected links and use the Safe Senders list where possible.

If links become clickable but open in the wrong browser, go to Settings → General → Files and links, then choose the browser under Open hyperlinks from Outlook in. ^4^

References

1. [New Outlook](https://support.microsoft.com/outlook/use-and-configure-the-reading-pane-to-preview-messages-in-outlook)
2. [New Outlook](https://support.microsoft.com/outlook/mail/change-how-the-message-list-is-displayed-in-outlook)
3. Links are disabled in Outlook for Windows email messages | Microsoft Support
4. Web links from Outlook emails and Teams chats open in Microsoft Edge | Microsoft Support