How to Change Outlook Back to Classic View – Simple Guide for 2025

User Case: How Do I Change Outlook Back to Classic View​?

If you're anything like me, you probably opened Microsoft Outlook one day and thought, “Wait a second… what happened to my inbox?” Welcome to the modern Outlook view — clean, minimal, but totally different from what many of us have gotten used to. The good news? You can bring back that comforting classic look (or at least get pretty close). Let's walk you through how to change Outlook back to classic view and make it feel like home again.

Why You May Prefer the Classic View?

While the default view is the modern standard, many users still prefer the classic view. The reasons for this preference are varied:

• Nostalgia: For those who have been using Outlook for years, the classic view offers a sense of familiarity and comfort.
• Customization: The classic view allows for a higher degree of customization, enabling users to tailor the interface to their specific needs and preferences.
• Simplicity: Some users find the classic view to be less cluttered and easier to navigate, particularly when dealing with a large number of emails.

How to Change Outlook Back to Classic View on Mac

If you value functionality over design, then you can follow the instructions below to learn how to revert to Old Outlook on Mac:

Step 1: Open the Outlook app on your Mac. Click the Help menu at the top and select the Revert to Legacy Outlook option.

Step 2: Select Revert to confirm.

If you don’t see the Revert to Legacy Outlook option, click on the Outlook menu in the top-left corner of your screen, then uncheck the New Outlook option. This will switch Outlook back to its classic view and reset it to the default layout.

How to Change Outlook Back to Classic View on Windows

The Windows version of Outlook is different than the Mac version, so you need to follow the instructions below instead to go back after Outlook view changed:

Step 1: Open the Outlook app on your computer.

Step 2: Turn off the toggle next to New Outlook in the top right corner.

Step 3: Answer the given questions to provide your feedback to Microsoft and click Submit. Alternatively, you can click the Skip Feedback button to continue without providing any feedback.

Key Differences in Outlook 365’s Classic and Default View Settings

While the classic view in Outlook 365 offers a more traditional layout, it still incorporates some modern features. However, it lacks some of the advanced customization options available in the default view. Key differences include:

• Ribbon Interface: The classic view retains the traditional ribbon interface, while the default view uses a more minimalist design.
• Reading Pane: The classic view offers a more flexible reading pane, allowing users to adjust its size and position.
• Customization Options: The default view provides more granular control over customization, such as the ability to create custom views and filters.

Troubleshooting Issues with Changing Outlook View to Classic

If you encounter any difficulties while attempting to switch to the classic view in Outlook, here are a few troubleshooting steps to consider:

• Restart Outlook: A simple restart can often resolve minor glitches and refresh the application's settings.
• Check for Updates: Ensure that you're using the latest version of Outlook. Outdated versions may have compatibility issues or missing features.
• Disable Add-ins: Add-ins can sometimes interfere with the classic view. Try disabling them temporarily to see if they're causing the problem. You can usually disable add-ins through the Outlook Options menu.
• Create a New Outlook Profile: If none of the above solutions work, creating a new Outlook profile can help. A new profile can eliminate any corrupted settings or configurations that may be causing the issue.

Bonus Tip: How to Manage or Back Up Outlook Emails

This article demonstrates “how to change Outlook to classic view step by step?”. If you’re considering backing up your Outlook, MultCloud can be extremely useful. Trusted by over 3 million users, MultCloud is a multi-cloud management tool that facilitates the transfer or synchronization of files between various cloud services.

For instance, you can save your Outlook emails as PDFs to your computer or cloud drives, such as Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox, in bulk. MultCloud also enables you to access and manage all your cloud or Email accounts via a single application. Currently, it supports more than 30 different cloud services, including Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, Box, Google Photos, iCloud Photos, FTP, WebDav, and more.