5 secret tricks in Outlook

With a few tricks, you can use Outlook more efficiently. We'll show you 5 secret tricks that make using Outlook even more convenient.

Outlook trick 1: delete emails directly

Mails can be deleted in Outlook in two ways. With a tip you get the mails deleted faster.

• You can delete the emails in Outlook by clicking the "Delete" button. Then the mail goes to the "Deleted Items" folder.
• It is easier if you select the email and then press the key combination [SHIFT] + [DEL]. You will receive a message as to whether you want to permanently delete the email. Then confirm the process with "Yes".

Outlook trick 2: Do not automatically mark emails as read

By default, an opened email is marked as read in Outlook when you select another email. This can be easily deactivated.

• In Outlook, click "File".
• Then select the "Options".
• Switch to the "E-Mail" tab and click on the "Reading area" button.
• Now deactivate the setting "Mark element as read when new selection is made".
• From now on, emails will only be marked as read if you open them with a double click.

Outlook trick 3: delete past appointments from the calendar

If you want to delete past appointments in Outlook, this is sometimes very time-consuming because you have to search for the appointments in the monthly view. It is much easier if you change your calendar to a list overview.

• In the calendar, click on "View" and then on "Change view".
• Now select the item "List".
• Your entire calendar entries are now displayed as a list, can be grouped, sorted or deleted in a bundle.

Outlook trick 4: set up folders as favorites

If you have folders in your Outlook mail structure that you use to store them, you can save them as favorites in the Outlook bar. This function saves you from navigating to the folder.

• Select the desired folder that you want to save as a favorite folder in the Outlook bar.
• With the left mouse button pressed, drag the folder to the "Favorites" entry.
• This is now listed under favorites. You can move your emails directly to the folder.

Outlook trick 5: set up the reading area

You can also preview emails in Outlook.

• Click in your email overview.
• Select "View" in the menu.
• Click in the "Layout" area and then on "Reading area".
• Here you select whether the reading area should be displayed "below" or "right".

On the next page you will read how to set up automatic forwarding in Outlook.