• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Outlook Tips

Learning Microsoft Outlook One Tip At A Time

Outlook 2013 Absolute Beginner's Guide Diane Poremsky [Outlook MVP]

  • Home
  • Tips Archive
  • How to...
  • Beginner
  • Outlook.com

Disable the Group By View in Outlook

Group by viewNote: You can use this method to apply any changes to all folders using the same view. It's not limited to the group by feature.

While this method also works with Outlook 2010, you can create a custom view and apply it to all folders. Look for the Apply to all folders option on the View ribbon, Change View button. Apply to all folders is useful if you have custom views you don't want to lose.

So you don't like the new grouping views in Outlook? While I recommend you give yourself two weeks to get used to the new interface before making changes, it is possible to turn off some of the new interface features in Outlook, such as the Group by view.

Before starting to customize the view, you need to make sure you've removed all previous customizations on all folders that use the view. To do this, go to Start menu, Run, and type

outlook.exe /cleanviews

Use the cleanviews switch to clear all one-of views

Using the /cleanviews switch will delete *all* custom views you have, but is a necessary step to insure the changes to the view apply to all folders.

Custom view menu

Next, find the Define views menu. In Outlook 2003 and 2007, look on the Advanced toolbar, at the bottom of the Current views drop down command or browse to the View, Arrange by, Current view menu to find it. In Outlook 2010, go to the View ribbon, Change Views, Manage View.

Select the view *by name*, not using <Current View Settings>, otherwise, the view will apply only to the currently selected folder. (When you click on Arrange by and Customize or Outlook 2010's View Settings… only the view for the current folder is edited.)

Select the view by name

Click Modify button to open the Customize view dialog, then Group button.

Uncheck Automatically group according to arrangement and Ok your way back to the view. Grouping is now disabled for this view. Repeat for each named view that you want to edit.

Disable the group by field option

To enable grouping on a folder, click on the row of field names at the top of the message list and choose Show in groups from the bottom of the menu. (This will enable only for the current folder.)

You can use this method to change a default view for each folder using the view. Because Outlook often creates 'one-off' views when you change a current view, you need to use cleanviews to remove all custom views before starting.

You may need to apply a different view to a folder then apply this one for it to take affect.

Customize a Global View Video Tutorial

For more information on restoring the classic interface, see Managing the Outlook 2003 Interface

Administrators

Administrators can deploy Outlook with grouping disabled for all users. See the following articles for more information:

How to disable the Group By feature for e-mail messages when you deploy an upgrade to Outlook 2007 for many users

Using the OCT: Disable the Group By feature for e-mail messages in Outlook 2007

Published May 14, 2011. Last updated on October 25, 2020.

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • More
  • Print
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit
  • Pocket
  • Pinterest

Related posts:

Tip 139: Applying a View to All Folders How to copy Microsoft Outlook custom views to backup or share A filtered view of the upcoming birthdaysCreate a custom view to list upcoming birthdays Define View dialogCreate a Custom View in Microsoft Outlook
Subscribe
Notify of
18 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to Outlook Tips by Email

Search OutlookTips

Training and one-on-one assistance

Do you need help setting up Outlook or want some one-on-one training? I'm available for hire. See Training and one-on-one assistance for fees and to check availability.

Popular Posts this Week

  • Where is File tab in Outlook?
    Where is File tab in Outlook?
  • Understanding Tasks and To-Do List
    Understanding Tasks and To-Do List
  • Icons found in the Inbox, Message Headers, and Toolbars
    Icons found in the Inbox, Message Headers, and Toolbars
  • How to Find Folder Paths in Outlook Mailboxes
    How to Find Folder Paths in Outlook Mailboxes
  • How to Reset the View on Outlook folders
    How to Reset the View on Outlook folders
  • How to bulk move Outlook folders
    How to bulk move Outlook folders
  • Change or cancel meetings without sending update messages
    Change or cancel meetings without sending update messages
  • "Who created the appointment?"
    "Who created the appointment?"
  • Prevent Accidentally Sending an Email Message
    Prevent Accidentally Sending an Email Message
  • Setting a fixed Column Width in Outlook
    Setting a fixed Column Width in Outlook

All-Time Most Popular Posts

  • Windows 7 and Vista Start Search field
    How to start Outlook in safe mode
  • outlook.com icon
    Delete a message stuck in Outlook's Outbox
  • How to use Outlook's Command line switches
  • Use Cleanviews switch to reset all views
    How to Reset the View on Outlook folders
  • Where are my Outlook Files?
  • Folder paths
    How to Find Folder Paths in Outlook Mailboxes
  • How to use Scanpst.exe to repair Outlook data files
  • Outlook's Missing Holidays
  • Icons found in the Inbox, Message Headers, and Toolbars
  • open an outlook data file
    Open an existing personal data file (*.pst) in Outlook
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Footer

Recent Posts

  • Outlook on the web Quick Actions moved to the right
  • Automatically sign out of Outlook.com
  • Quick Actions in Outlook
  • Outlook Autocomplete Bug
  • Outlook on the web Address Book sort order

Recent Bug List

Microsoft keeps a running list of issues affecting recently released updates at Fixes or workarounds for recent issues in Outlook for Windows.

Office Update History

Update history for supported Office versions is at Update history for Office

Resources

Ask questions and share your knowledge in Outlook Forums.

Translate

You Might Like

Where is File tab in Outlook?
Using Two-factor authentication
Where are my Outlook Files?
How to use Outlook's Command line switches

© 2003–2023 ยท Outlook Tips

wpDiscuz
You are going to send email to

Move Comment