How to Change Outlook to Classic View Step by Step – Simple Guide for 2025

Overview of Outlook’s Default and Classic Views

Outlook, Microsoft's ubiquitous email client, offers two primary interface styles: the default and the classic view. The default view is a sleek, modern design optimized for efficiency, while the classic view provides a more traditional, familiar layout.

Why You May Prefer the Classic View in 2024

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 to Classic View on Windows

If you are using new Outlook application, just click on "Help" and hit on "Go to classic Outlook".

If you are using Outlook 2021, Outlook 2019, Outlook 2016. To switch to the classic view on a Windows PC, follow these steps:

Step 1. Open Outlook: Launch the Outlook application.

Step 2. Access File Menu: Click on the "File" tab in the top left corner.

Step 3. Open Options: Select "Options" from the dropdown menu.

Step 4. Navigate to Advanced Settings: In the Outlook Options window, choose "Advanced" from the left-hand pane.

Once you've reached the Advanced settings, you can easily toggle the classic view:

Step 1. Locate Display Section: Scroll down to the "Display" section.

Step 2. Enable Classic Mode: Check the box next to "Show this view in classic mode."

Step 3. Confirm Changes: Click "OK" to save the changes and apply the classic view.

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 to Classic View in Outlook

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

1. Restart Outlook: A simple restart can often resolve minor glitches and refresh the application's settings.
2. Check for Updates: Ensure that you're using the latest version of Outlook. Outdated versions may have compatibility issues or missing features.
3. 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.
4. 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.