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If Themes by Copilot is missing, you can still change Outlook’s appearance using the settings for your version of Outlook. For Outlook.com and Outlook on the web, go to Settings > General > Appearance. In Windows desktop Outlook, the Office app theme is under File > Options > General; on Mac, use Outlook’s appearance preferences. Microsoft’s current support pages still document Themes by Copilot, so its absence in your account does not establish that the feature has been removed for everyone.
Choose the right Outlook appearance setting
“Outlook theme” can refer to different things: the mailbox background or light/dark mode, the Office app’s menus and chrome, or the layout of the message list. The setting you need depends on both your Outlook client and what you want to change.
| What you want to change | Where to look |
|---|---|
| Mailbox background or light/dark mode in Outlook.com or Outlook on the web | Settings > General > Appearance |
| Office app theme in Windows desktop Outlook | File > Options > General |
| Outlook appearance on Mac | Outlook > Preferences > General |
| Message-list density, reading pane, or related layout | Outlook layout or view controls, not the theme setting |
Change the theme in Outlook.com or Outlook on the web
- Open Outlook.com or Outlook on the web and select Settings.
- Choose General > Appearance.
- Select an available mailbox theme or appearance mode.
Use layout or view controls separately if you want to change display density, the reading pane, or other message-list choices. These affect how mail is arranged, not the mailbox theme. Microsoft’s Outlook web appearance guidance covers this distinction.
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Change the Office theme in Windows desktop Outlook
- In Outlook, select File > Options > General.
- Under the Office theme options, choose the appearance you want.
- To have Office follow Windows light or dark mode, select Use system setting.
Microsoft says Use system setting is the default and follows Windows’ light/dark mode. This changes the Office app appearance; it is not the same control as the mailbox theme on the web. See Microsoft’s Office theme instructions.
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Keep Black theme from recoloring message backgrounds
Outlook’s Black theme can recolor message backgrounds to match the app. To prevent that in classic Outlook for Windows, go to File > Options > General, then under Personalize your copy of Microsoft Office, select Never change the message background color. This setting is useful when you want the dark Office chrome without changing message backgrounds.
Change Outlook’s appearance on Mac
Microsoft documents the appearance controls in Outlook under Preferences > General. Choose Light, Dark, or System; System follows macOS appearance. Exact labels and paths can vary by Outlook version. Microsoft also describes changing the system appearance in macOS System Settings > Appearance and an Outlook app option called Turn Off Dark Mode. See Microsoft’s Outlook and Office theme guidance.
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What to do if Themes by Copilot is missing
Microsoft’s FAQ, last updated August 2026, says Themes by Copilot are available in Appearance Settings, and Microsoft’s theme guide still documents the feature. That does not mean every account or Outlook version has access. Check that you are using a supported client and account, and if you use a managed work account, ask your IT administrator whether access is available to you. Microsoft’s pages describe eligibility in different contexts: the FAQ says a work Copilot license is required, while the creation guide lists supported Outlook apps and advises contacting an administrator if the feature is inaccessible. These pages do not establish one universal cause for a missing option.
Microsoft lists new Outlook for Windows, Outlook on the web, Outlook for iOS and Android, Outlook.com, and the latest Mac version among the clients covered by its theme creation guidance. The FAQ describes themes based on a place of interest, your current location, or weather, with realistic, oil-painting, and cartoon styles. It says additional theme types and open-ended prompts are not currently supported. See the Themes by Copilot FAQ and theme creation guide.
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