How to Enable or Disable Colorful Icons in Outlook App
Colorful icons in the Outlook app add bright brand colors to your folders and messages, but you can switch them to a simple dark gray if you prefer a plain look. This appearance setting changes how your mailbox folders and items look in the newer version of Outlook for Windows.
Open Outlook, click the Settings gear icon in the top right, navigate to General, then Appearance. Use the toggle in the Navigation bar section to switch colorful icons On or Off, then click Save.
What is the New Outlook App?
Beyond email management, the revamped client handles calendar week numbers, search history, and background notifications.
Why Change Your Icon Style?
Switching to dark gray icons can help reduce power consumption on laptops, though any speed boost is negligible.
How to Turn Colorful Icons On or Off
Turning colorful icons in Outlook on or off takes just a few clicks through the app settings. Open Outlook, click the Settings gear icon in the top-right corner, select General in the sidebar, and click Appearance to switch between colorful and dark gray icon styles right away.
- Open the Outlook app. Click its icon in the Start menu or search for it in your taskbar .
- Look at the top right corner of the menu bar. Click the Settings gear icon.
- In the Settings sidebar, click General. Then select Appearance.
- Find the Navigation bar section. You’ll see a toggle button. Switch it On for colorful icons or Off for dark gray icons.
- Click Save to keep your changes.
Your icon preference is now saved.
Summary
Using colorful icons in Outlook lets you personalize your app appearance to match your style. You can switch back and forth between colorful and dark gray icons whenever you want through the general settings menu to keep your inbox looking fresh and easy to navigate.
- Modern Design: The new Outlook has a fresh, easy-to-use interface.
- Your Choice: Pick colorful icons or dark gray icons based on what you prefer.
- Easy Access: The settings are simple to find and change in just a few steps.
- Boost Performance: Dark gray icons can help your computer run faster.
- Make It Yours: Customize Outlook to match your style and work better for you.
Personalizing Outlook takes only a few clicks to make the workspace function according to personal preferences.
What do the colored symbols mean in Outlook?
Colored status dots next to contacts indicate availability (such as busy, in a meeting, or available) across Outlook and Teams.
How do I change the icon colors in Outlook?
To change the color of a folder icon (1), hover over the folder name, select the three-dot menu (2), select "Change color," and then choose a color (3). In this example, Cranberry (dark red) marks the Inbox. Reverting the color requires following the same steps and selecting "Automatic" (4).
How to make Microsoft Outlook colorful?
To adjust Outlook's overall theme, navigate to File Options General, and then choose your preferred Office theme: colorful, dark gray, black, or white. Custom color options allow modifying email backgrounds.
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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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