Are you tired of constantly switching between the “Focused” and “Other” tabs in your Outlook inbox? Do you feel like you’re missing important emails because they’re not showing up in the “Focused” tab?
If so, you’re not alone. Many Outlook users struggle with this feature and find it more of a hindrance than a help. In this article, we’ll explore how to get rid of the “Focused” and “Other” tabs in Outlook and improve your email organization.
Why Are There Two Tabs in My Outlook Inbox?
Before we dive into how to get rid of the “Focused” and “Other” tabs, let’s first understand why they exist in the first place.
In 2016, Microsoft introduced the “Focused” inbox feature in Outlook as a way to help users prioritize their emails. The “Focused” tab shows emails that are deemed important based on your past interactions and behavior. The “Other” tab shows all other emails, including newsletters, promotions, and social media notifications.
While this feature may be helpful for some, it can also be confusing and frustrating for others. If you find yourself constantly switching between the two tabs or missing important emails in the “Other” tab, it may be time to get rid of this feature altogether.
How to Get Rid of the “Focused” and “Other” Tabs
Step 1: Disable the “Focused” Inbox Feature
The first step to getting rid of the “Focused” and “Other” tabs is to disable the “Focused” inbox feature. Here’s how:
- Open Outlook and go to the “View” tab.
- Click on the “Show Focused Inbox” button to toggle it off.
- A pop-up window will appear asking if you want to turn off the feature. Click “Turn off” to confirm.
Once you’ve disabled the “Focused” inbox feature, you’ll notice that the “Focused” and “Other” tabs are no longer present in your inbox. However, your emails will still be sorted into the “Focused” and “Other” categories behind the scenes.
Step 2: Turn off the “Other” Tab
To completely get rid of the “Focused” and “Other” tabs, you’ll need to turn off the “Other” tab as well. Here’s how:
- Go to the “View” tab in Outlook.
- Click on the “View Settings” button.
- In the pop-up window, click on the “Filter” tab.
- Uncheck the box next to “Show as conversations” and click “OK”.
This will disable the “Other” tab and show all your emails in one unified inbox.
Other Tips for Organizing Your Outlook Inbox
Now that you’ve gotten rid of the “Focused” and “Other” tabs, here are some other tips for organizing your Outlook inbox:
Use Rules to Automatically Sort Emails
Outlook allows you to create rules that automatically sort your emails into specific folders based on criteria that you set. This can be helpful for keeping your inbox clutter-free and ensuring that important emails don’t get lost in the shuffle.
To create a rule, follow these steps:
- Right-click on an email in your inbox and select “Rules”.
- Click on “Create Rule”.
- In the pop-up window, select the criteria you want to use for the rule (e.g. sender, subject, keywords).
- Choose the action you want to take (e.g. move to a specific folder, mark as read).
- Click “OK” to save the rule.
Utilize Categories and Flags
Categories and flags are another way to organize your emails in Outlook. You can assign a category or flag to an email to indicate its importance or urgency. This can help you quickly identify and prioritize emails in your inbox.
To assign a category or flag to an email, follow these steps:
- Right-click on an email in your inbox and select “Categorize” or “Follow Up”.
- Choose the category or flag you want to assign to the email.
Take Advantage of the Calendar Feature
Outlook’s calendar feature is a powerful tool for managing your schedule and staying organized. You can use it to schedule meetings, set reminders, and even block off time for specific tasks.
To access the calendar feature, click on the “Calendar” tab at the bottom of the Outlook window. From there, you can create new events, view your schedule, and set reminders.
Outlook Hacks for Better Email Management
In addition to the tips mentioned above, here are some other Outlook hacks that can help you better manage your emails:
Use Quick Steps for Repetitive Tasks
If you find yourself performing the same actions on multiple emails (e.g. moving them to a specific folder, forwarding them to a colleague), you can use Quick Steps to automate these tasks.
To create a Quick Step, follow these steps:
- Go to the “Home” tab in Outlook.
- Click on the “Quick Steps” button.
- Click on “New Quick Step” and choose the action you want to automate.
- Follow the prompts to set up the Quick Step.
Set Up Email Templates
If you find yourself sending the same type of email over and over again (e.g. a weekly report to your boss), you can save time by creating an email template. This allows you to quickly fill in the necessary information and send the email without having to type it out every time.
To create an email template, follow these steps:
- Compose a new email in Outlook.
- Include all the necessary information and formatting.
- Go to the “File” tab and click on “Save As”.
- In the “Save As” window, select “Outlook Template” from the “Save as type” dropdown menu.
- Give your template a name and click “Save”.
Conclusion
The “Focused” inbox feature in Outlook can be helpful for some users, but for others, it can be a source of frustration and confusion. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can get rid of the “Focused” and “Other” tabs and improve your email organization.
In addition, utilizing other Outlook features such as rules, categories, and the calendar can help you stay on top of your emails and manage your inbox more efficiently. And with the help of hacks like Quick Steps and email templates, you can save time and streamline your email management process.
By implementing these tips and tricks, you can take control of your Outlook inbox and stay organized and productive.
