Enable or Disable App Names in Outlook App

Written by

Richard

Dec 6, 2024 Updated Oct 10, 2026 4 min read

This setting helps you find the source of an email quickly, especially when you watch several connected services. Messages from Microsoft Teams, Planner or other integrated services arrive with clearer context.

Without app names, you have to work out the true origin from generic sender icons, and those look alike at a glance. If you get many notification emails a day, the extra label saves time.

Turn on or off "Show app names" in Outlook

The Show app names option is a switch in the Outlook settings. You can turn it on or off at any time, and it works the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro. The exact path can shift between Outlook builds, so if your screen differs a little from the steps below, look for the same names in nearby menus.

Here is the procedure for current desktop installations. You don't need administrator rights, because the setting belongs to your own Outlook profile.

1. Launch the Outlook app from the Start menu or the taskbar search box. The new Outlook window opens with your inbox.

2. Click the Settings gear icon in the top-right corner of the window. The Settings panel opens, with a list of categories down the left side.

3. In the Settings sidebar, click General to expand the menu.
4. Select Appearance. The appearance options for Outlook appear on the right.

5. Find the Navigation bar section under the Appearance settings. You may need to scroll down to reach it.
6. Set the Show app names switch to On to display app names, or to Off to hide them. The switch moves right away to show its new state.

Here is the same path in short form, for when you only need a reminder:

1. Click on Settings (gear icon) in the top-right corner.
2. Select General from the left-hand menu.
3. Choose Appearance.
4. Under the Navigation bar section, find the option for Show app names.
5. Toggle the switch to On or Off as desired.

7. Save the changes if the panel shows a save button, then close the panel. The new setting should apply straight away and needs no restart. If your inbox still looks the same, close Outlook completely and open it again.

That completes the setup. To undo it, repeat the steps above and flip the switch back to the other position.

Conclusion:

Personalizing your inbox takes only a few clicks. Once you update these display preferences, the new Outlook fits your workflow better, and you can change them again whenever your needs change.

Mobile Outlook users on iOS and Android manage layouts through different interface rules. Sender details appear prominently on mobile screens, but the mobile apps have no dedicated Show app names toggle in their menus. This guide applies only to the new Outlook for Windows.

• The "Show app names" feature makes it easier to recognize where messages come from in the Outlook app.
• You can toggle this feature in the Appearance settings, under the Navigation bar section.
• Settings are easy to reach through the gear icon in the top-right corner of the window.
• Remember to save your changes after adjusting the settings, if a save button is shown.
• Personalizing your Outlook experience can lead to better organization and usability.

Customizing the Navigation Bar

Inbox clean-up goes beyond sender names. Rearranging or hiding icons in the left-hand panel helps declutter the workspace. You can pin your favorite services or change the icon order through the same Settings > General > Appearance path, which speeds up daily navigation. If a change doesn't suit you, go back to the same place and reverse it.