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How to Enable or Disable Link Preview in Outlook on Windows 11

Richard
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Richard
Jan 16, 2024 Updated Apr 17, 2026 3 min read
How to Enable or Disable Link Preview in Outlook on Windows 11

The new Outlook for Windows brings a modern design to your inbox. It supports Microsoft 365, Outlook.com, Hotmail, and Gmail accounts.

The app includes many features like support for subscription management, email forwarding, setting default From address, backing up your mailbox, changing the reading pane, opening a new window for a message, language translations, turning text predictions on or off, switch primary account, sharing a calendar,  changing language, date and time format, public a calendar, show week numbers in Outlook calendar, deleting your search history, export your search history, dd or remove events from emails to your Calendar, switch to dark mode, and more.

Why use Link Preview?

When you add a website link to an email, Outlook often shows a “Link Preview.” This shows a title, a small image, and a description. It helps you see what a link is about before you click it. Some people like this, but others find it distracting. You can turn it on or off to match your style.

What happens when you are done?

Once you finish these steps, your emails will either show these rich previews or just display the simple text links, depending on your choice.

How to change Link Preview settings

You can change this setting inside the Outlook app on Windows 11.

  1. First, open the new Outlook app on your computer. You can find it by clicking Start, then All apps, then selecting Outlook.
  2. Open the new Outlook app in Windows 11
  3. Click the Settings button. It looks like a gear icon in the top right corner.
  4. Add Gmail to Outlook app in Windows 11
  5. Click the Mail tab on the left side of the window.
  6. Click Compose and reply.
  7. Look for the Link preview section. Uncheck the box that says Preview links in email to turn it off. Check the box to turn it back on.
  8. enable or disable link preview in Outlook Windows 11

Note: No administrator privileges are required to change these settings.

Summary

Link Preview is a feature in the new Outlook that shows a thumbnail and description for website links. You can easily enable or disable this feature in the Compose and reply settings menu to keep your inbox looking exactly how you want it.

Reference: Microsoft help

How do I turn off link preview in Outlook Windows 11?

Open the Outlook app and click the Settings gear icon in the top right corner. Navigate to Mail > Compose and reply, then uncheck the 'Preview links in email' checkbox to disable link preview. This will remove the rich preview showing link titles, thumbnails, and descriptions from your emails.

Where is the link preview setting in Outlook?

The link preview setting is located in the Settings menu under the Mail tab. Once you open Settings (gear icon), click on 'Mail' in the left sidebar, then select 'Compose and reply' to find the 'Preview links in email' option.

Why would I want to disable link preview in Outlook?

Some users find link previews distracting or prefer a more streamlined, text-based email view. Disabling link preview can help reduce visual clutter in your emails while still allowing you to click links when needed.

Can I turn link preview back on after disabling it?

Yes, you can easily re-enable link preview at any time by going to Settings > Mail > Compose and reply and checking the 'Preview links in email' checkbox. The rich preview with link titles, thumbnails, and descriptions will immediately return.

What does link preview show in Outlook emails?

Link preview displays a rich preview that includes the link title, a thumbnail image, and a description of the linked content. This allows you to quickly identify what a link contains without having to click on it.

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Richard

About the Author

Richard

Tech Writer, IT Professional

Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.

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