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The location of Settings in Outlook depends on which Outlook app you have open. New Outlook for Windows and Outlook on the web use a gear icon, while classic Outlook for Windows uses File > Options. The mobile apps place settings behind your account or menu button.

Use the section below that matches your device and interface.

Open Settings in Outlook for Windows

Microsoft currently provides two Windows desktop versions: new Outlook for Windows and classic Outlook for Windows. The quickest way to tell them apart is to look for a gear icon in the upper-right corner.

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New Outlook for Windows

  1. Open Outlook.
  2. Select the Settings gear in the upper-right corner.
  3. Use the settings pane to change a quick option, or select the link for full settings.

You can also find some display controls on the View tab. Changes made in new Outlook for Windows are reflected in Outlook on the web because the two interfaces use the same account settings for many features.

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To find the installed Outlook version, open Settings > General > About Outlook. The version information appears on the right side.

Classic Outlook for Windows

Classic Outlook does not have a Settings gear in the upper-right corner. Instead:

  1. Select File in the upper-left corner.
  2. Select Options.
  3. Choose a category such as Mail, Calendar, People, Advanced, or Customize Ribbon.
  4. Select OK when you finish.

If you need to identify this version, go to File > Office Account. The version and build appear under Product Information. If Office Account is not available, select Help instead.

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For more detail, including whether Outlook is 32-bit or 64-bit, select File > Office Account > About Outlook.

Open Settings in Outlook on the web

Outlook on the web is normally used with a work or school account. Its address usually begins with outlook.office.com or outlook.office365.com, although regional domains can differ.

  1. Open Outlook in your browser.
  2. Select the Settings gear at the top of the page.
  3. Change a visible option in the settings pane, or select View all Outlook settings to open the complete settings screen.

The settings pane includes a search field, which is often the fastest way to find a setting. Search for terms such as signature, automatic replies, time zone, or notifications.

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Calendar settings on the web

For the current Outlook on the web interface, select Calendar from the app navigation, then select Settings at the top of the page. Calendar options include the time zone, date format, time format, and first day of the week.

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If you are using the older web interface, use Calendar > Settings > Calendar. The names and layout can differ between the current and classic interfaces, so a missing option does not necessarily mean that the feature has been removed.

Open Settings in Outlook.com

Outlook.com is the personal-account service, usually accessed through an address beginning with outlook.live.com. It is separate from the work and school version called Outlook on the web, but the current settings control is similar.

  1. Open Outlook.com.
  2. Select the Settings gear at the top of the page.
  3. Use the search box in the pane, or select View all Outlook settings.

From the full settings page, select categories such as Mail, Calendar, or General.

Open Settings in Outlook for Mac

  1. Open Outlook for Mac.
  2. Move the pointer to the top of the screen if the macOS menu bar is hidden.
  3. Select Outlook next to the Apple logo.
  4. Select Settings.

To check the installed version, select Outlook > About Outlook from the macOS menu bar. Microsoft 365 installations may show a subscription label such as Office 365 subscription rather than a year-based product name.

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Open Settings in the Outlook mobile app

Outlook for iPhone and iPad

Microsoft documents more than one navigation layout for Outlook on iOS. Try the current account path first:

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  1. Open Outlook.
  2. Tap your account avatar, profile picture, or account logo.
  3. Tap Settings.

For example, swipe behavior is under Settings > Swipe Options > Swipe Right or Swipe Options > Swipe Left. Options such as Focused Inbox and Organize By Thread are also in the settings view.

In some versions, tap Inbox at the top first, then select Settings. To add another account, use Settings > Account > Add Account.

Outlook for Android

  1. Open Outlook.
  2. Tap Menu.
  3. Tap Settings.

Examples of Android paths include:

  • Menu > Settings > Swipe Options > Swipe Right
  • Menu > Settings > Focused Inbox
  • Menu > Bell icon for Do Not Disturb

Some Android and iOS builds use another layout: tap the Accounts icon in the upper-left corner, described by Microsoft as the house icon, then tap the Gear at the bottom-left. App updates, account type, and staged interface changes can affect which path appears.

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Which Outlook version are you using?

What you see Likely app Where Settings is located
Gear in the upper-right of a Windows app New Outlook for Windows Settings gear
No gear in the Windows app; there is a File tab Classic Outlook for Windows File > Options
Browser address begins with outlook.live.com Outlook.com Gear at the top of the page
Browser address usually begins with outlook.office.com Outlook on the web Gear at the top of the page
macOS menu bar contains Outlook Outlook for Mac Outlook > Settings
Phone or tablet app Outlook mobile Account avatar or Menu > Settings

When Settings is missing

You are using classic Outlook for Windows

This is the most common explanation for a missing gear. Select File > Options instead. Classic Outlook uses this window for settings that new Outlook exposes through its Settings pane.

You opened Windows Mail instead of Outlook

Windows Mail is a separate application and may have a different layout. It is not the same as either new Outlook or classic Outlook. Microsoft has documented a Try the new Outlook toggle in Mail for supported accounts, but the toggle may not appear if the account is unsupported or an administrator has blocked it.

The web instructions do not match

You may be using the classic Outlook on the web interface. Try Calendar > Settings > Calendar for calendar options, or look for the older settings layout rather than the current right-side pane.

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Your organization controls the setting

Work and school accounts can have restrictions set by an administrator. Examples include disabled features, required sign-in methods, and mobile-app-management policies. If a control is missing or cannot be changed, contact your organization’s IT administrator.

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Do not confuse Outlook on the web with Outlook Web App

Outlook on the web is the current browser client used with Microsoft 365 and newer Exchange environments. Outlook Web App is a separate, older server-hosted product associated with organizations running their own Exchange servers, such as Exchange Server 2010 or 2013.

In the older Outlook Web App, settings are grouped under Options. Available areas can include Regional Settings, Messaging, Junk Email, Calendar, Automatic Replies, Change Password, Mobile Devices, and About. You must select Save after making changes.

The old light version of Outlook Web App began deprecation on August 19, 2024, so instructions that present it as the normal Microsoft 365 interface are outdated.

FAQ

Where is the Settings button in Outlook for Windows?

In new Outlook for Windows, select the gear in the upper-right corner. In classic Outlook for Windows, there is no gear; use File > Options.

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Why do I not have a gear icon in Outlook?

You are probably using classic Outlook for Windows, which uses File > Options. You may also have opened the separate Windows Mail app rather than Outlook.

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Where are Outlook settings on my phone?

On iPhone or iPad, tap your account avatar or logo, then Settings. On Android, tap Menu, then Settings. Some app layouts use the Accounts or house icon followed by the Gear icon.

How do I open full settings in Outlook online?

Select the Settings gear at the top of Outlook, then select View all Outlook settings. You can also search for a setting directly in the settings pane.

How can I check which Outlook version I have?

In new Outlook for Windows, use Settings > General > About Outlook. In classic Outlook, use File > Office Account > About Outlook. On Mac, use Outlook > About Outlook from the macOS menu bar.

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Is Outlook.com the same as Outlook on the web?

No. Outlook.com is intended for personal Microsoft accounts and commonly uses outlook.live.com. Outlook on the web is generally for work or school accounts and commonly uses outlook.office.com or outlook.office365.com.

The Bottom Line

Use the interface, not the word “Outlook,” to find the right path: new Windows Outlook uses the upper-right gear, classic Windows Outlook uses File > Options, browser Outlook uses the top gear, Mac uses Outlook > Settings, and mobile Outlook uses your account view or Menu > Settings.

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