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What “color coding folders” means in Outlook
Folder colors and color categories apply to different things:
| Feature | What receives the color | New Outlook for Windows | Classic Outlook for Windows |
|---|---|---|---|
| Folder color | A folder in the Folder Pane | Available | Not supported |
| Color category | Messages and other Outlook items | Supported | Supported, subject to account limitations |
| Category shortcut in Favorites | A shortcut to categorized items | Available | Not a folder-color feature |
Categories can help you scan messages and other items, but they do not color a mail folder. Adding a category shortcut to Favorites gives you access to categorized items; it does not change the folder’s color.
How to color a folder in new Outlook
Microsoft lists folder colors as available in new Outlook and unsupported in classic Outlook. A Microsoft Q&A moderator describes this procedure for new Outlook for Windows:
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- Open new Outlook for Windows and locate the folder in the left-hand Folder Pane.
- Right-click the folder you want to distinguish.
- Select Change color or Folder color from the context menu. The wording may differ.
- Choose a color from the palette.
- Repeat for other folders as needed; the cited guidance does not describe a bulk-coloring command.
The steps are community-support guidance, not a dedicated Microsoft Support walkthrough or a guarantee that every user will see the same menu. The reviewed sources do not establish that the command appears in every Outlook web experience or for every account.
If the folder-color command is missing
First confirm that you are using new Outlook for Windows. Microsoft’s comparison says classic Outlook does not support folder colors, so the option is not expected there. If you are in new Outlook and still cannot see it, the reviewed sources do not document all rollout, account, or mailbox prerequisites; do not assume that Categories will change the folder’s color.
Create a folder first, if needed
In new Outlook, create the folder separately from assigning its color:
- In the Folder Pane, right-click your email address or use its More options menu.
- Choose Create new folder, enter a name, and press Enter.
- To create a subfolder, select the parent folder, open its context menu or More options, and choose Create new subfolder. Enter a name and press Enter.
- Then right-click the folder and look for Change color or Folder color.
Creating a folder does not assign it a color.
Use color categories for messages and other items
Color categories are for labeling individual Outlook items, not coloring folders. Use them when your goal is to distinguish projects, customers, or message types across folders. Microsoft says IMAP accounts do not support assigning categories to items; that restriction concerns categories, not folder-color availability.
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Create and assign a category in new Outlook
- Select a message, or open one in the reading pane.
- Choose Categorize from the ribbon or the message’s right-click menu.
- Choose New category, enter a name, select a color, and save.
- To assign the category, select one or more messages, choose Categorize, and select the category.
To manage category names and colors in new Outlook, open Settings → Accounts → Categories.
Set up categories in classic Outlook
Classic Outlook cannot color folders, but its Categorize feature can color-code Outlook items, subject to account limitations.
- Open a message folder such as Inbox.
- On the ribbon, find the Tags group and select Categorize → All Categories.
- Select New, enter a category name, choose a color, and select OK.
- To apply it, select a message, choose Categorize, and select the category.
FAQ
Can I color folders in Classic Outlook 365?
No. Microsoft’s feature comparison lists folder colors as unsupported in classic Outlook. You can use color categories on messages and other Outlook items instead.
How do I change a folder color in new Outlook?
Right-click the folder in the left Folder Pane, choose Change color or Folder color, and select a color. The exact menu wording may vary.
Why can’t I find a folder-color option?
Check that you are using new Outlook for Windows rather than classic Outlook. If you are already in new Outlook, the reviewed sources do not establish every rollout or account prerequisite.
Does Categorize change an Outlook folder’s color?
No. Categorize applies a color category to messages or other Outlook items; it does not change the color of the folder itself.
Can I apply categories to items in an IMAP account?
Microsoft says IMAP accounts do not support assigning categories to items.
The Bottom Line
For actual folder colors, use new Outlook for Windows: right-click a folder in the Folder Pane and look for Change color or Folder color. Classic Outlook does not support folder colors. Categories can color-label messages and other items, but they are a separate feature.
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