Marking all emails as read in Outlook can be done in just a few clicks from the folder menu. If you’re tired of seeing hundreds of unread messages cluttering your inbox, learning how to mark all read in outlook is a simple way to reset your view. This guide will walk you through every method, from desktop to mobile, so you can clean up your inbox fast.
You don’t need to open each email individually. Outlook gives you a bulk action that clears the unread status instantly. Whether you use Outlook 365, Outlook 2019, or the web version, the steps are similar.
Let’s start with the most common method first.
How To Mark All Read In Outlook On Desktop
The desktop version of Outlook is the most popular. Here’s how to mark all emails as read in just a few seconds.
Step 1: Select The Folder
Open Outlook on your computer. Click on the folder that contains the unread emails. This could be your Inbox, Sent Items, or any custom folder.
Make sure you are in the correct folder. If you have multiple folders, repeat the steps for each one.
Step 2: Use The Folder Menu
Look at the top menu bar. Click on the “Folder” tab. This tab is usually between “View” and “Help” in older versions.
Once you click “Folder,” you will see a group of actions. One of them is “Mark All as Read.” Click it.
A confirmation dialog may appear. Click “Yes” to confirm. All unread emails in that folder will now show as read.
Step 3: Verify The Change
Check the folder. The bold unread text should be gone. The number next to the folder name should drop to zero.
If you still see unread emails, you might have subfolders. You need to repeat the process for each subfolder.
How To Mark All Read In Outlook Using Keyboard Shortcuts
If you prefer using the keyboard, there is a faster way. Keyboard shortcuts save time and clicks.
Method 1: Ctrl + A Then Ctrl + Q
First, click on any email in the folder. Press Ctrl + A to select all emails. Then press Ctrl + Q to mark them as read.
This works in most versions of Outlook. The selected emails will instantly change from bold to normal.
Method 2: Ctrl + Shift + U
Another shortcut is Ctrl + Shift + U. This marks all unread emails in the current folder as read without selecting them first.
This is even faster. Just press the keys and the entire folder is updated.
Note: Some keyboard shortcuts may vary if you use a non-English keyboard layout.
How To Mark All Read In Outlook On Web (Outlook.com)
The web version of Outlook is slightly different. But the process is still simple.
Step 1: Log Into Outlook.com
Open your browser and go to outlook.com. Sign in with your Microsoft account.
Step 2: Navigate To The Folder
Click on the folder you want to clean. Usually, the Inbox is selected by default.
Step 3: Use The Filter Option
Look at the top of the email list. There is a filter icon that looks like a funnel. Click it and select “Unread.” This shows only unread emails.
Now, click the checkbox at the top left of the email list. This selects all visible unread emails. A banner will appear saying “All 50 conversations on this page are selected.” Click “Select all” to include all unread emails in the folder.
Step 4: Mark As Read
With all emails selected, click the “Mark as read” icon. It looks like an open envelope. All selected emails will become read.
Alternatively, you can right-click on the selection and choose “Mark as read.”
How To Mark All Read In Outlook On Mobile (IOS And Android)
Outlook mobile app also supports bulk marking. Here’s how to do it.
For IPhone And IPad
Open the Outlook app. Tap the folder you want to clean. Tap the “Edit” button in the top right corner. Tap “Select All” at the top. Then tap the “Mark as read” icon at the bottom.
This works for all unread emails in that folder.
For Android
Open the Outlook app. Tap the folder. Tap the three dots in the top right corner. Select “Select all.” Then tap the envelope icon at the bottom to mark as read.
Some Android versions have a “Mark all as read” option directly in the folder menu. Look for it in the three-dot menu.
How To Mark All Read In Outlook For Mac
Outlook for Mac has a similar but slightly different interface.
Step 1: Select The Folder
Open Outlook for Mac. Click on the folder in the left sidebar.
Step 2: Use The Menu Bar
Click on “Message” in the top menu bar. Then select “Mark” and “All as Read.”
Alternatively, you can use the shortcut Command + T after selecting all emails.
Step 3: Confirm
A dialog may appear. Click “Mark All” to confirm.
How To Mark All Read In Outlook Using Rules
If you want to automate the process, you can create a rule. This is useful for folders that receive many emails.
Step 1: Create A New Rule
Go to “File” > “Manage Rules & Alerts.” Click “New Rule.”
Step 2: Set Conditions
Choose “Apply rule on messages I receive.” Then set conditions like “from a specific sender” or “with specific words in the subject.”
If you want to mark all emails in a folder as read, skip conditions. Just select “Apply rule on messages I receive” and then “Mark it as read.”
Step 3: Apply The Rule
Click “Finish” and then “OK.” Now, all new emails in that folder will be marked as read automatically.
This is perfect for newsletters or notifications you don’t want to read immediately.
How To Mark All Read In Outlook For Multiple Folders
Sometimes you have unread emails in many folders. Doing it one by one is tedious.
Method 1: Use The Search Function
Click on the search bar at the top. Type “isread:no” to find all unread emails across all folders. Select all results and mark them as read.
This works in desktop and web versions.
Method 2: Use Quick Steps
Create a Quick Step that marks all unread emails as read. Go to “Home” > “Quick Steps” > “Create New.” Name it “Mark All Read.” Choose “Mark as read” as the action. Assign a shortcut like Ctrl+Shift+1.
Now you can run this Quick Step on any folder.
How To Mark All Read In Outlook Without Selecting All
If you only want to mark unread emails and leave read ones untouched, use the filter.
Step 1: Filter By Unread
In desktop Outlook, click the “Filter Email” button. Choose “Unread.” This shows only unread emails.
Step 2: Select And Mark
Press Ctrl+A to select all visible unread emails. Then press Ctrl+Q to mark them as read.
This method is precise and avoids marking emails you already read.
How To Mark All Read In Outlook When Using IMAP
If you use an IMAP account, marking as read in Outlook may not sync to the server. Here’s what to do.
Step 1: Check Sync Settings
Go to “File” > “Account Settings” > “Account Settings.” Select your account and click “Change.” Ensure “Use Cached Exchange Mode” is checked.
Step 2: Mark And Sync
Mark all emails as read using the methods above. Wait a few minutes for the sync to complete. Check your webmail to confirm.
If it doesn’t sync, try restarting Outlook.
How To Mark All Read In Outlook For Shared Mailboxes
Shared mailboxes work differently. You need proper permissions.
Step 1: Open The Shared Mailbox
In Outlook, go to “File” > “Open & Export” > “Other User’s Folder.” Enter the shared mailbox name.
Step 2: Mark As Read
Once the shared mailbox folder is open, use the same “Mark All as Read” option from the Folder tab.
Note: This only marks emails as read for you. Other users will still see them as unread.
How To Mark All Read In Outlook Using VBA
For advanced users, VBA can automate the process.
Step 1: Open VBA Editor
Press Alt+F11 to open the VBA editor. Go to “Insert” > “Module.”
Step 2: Paste The Code
Paste this code:
Sub MarkAllAsRead()
Dim objFolder As Outlook.MAPIFolder
Dim objItem As Object
Set objFolder = Application.ActiveExplorer.CurrentFolder
For Each objItem In objFolder.Items
If objItem.UnRead Then
objItem.UnRead = False
objItem.Save
End If
Next
Set objFolder = Nothing
Set objItem = Nothing
End Sub
Step 3: Run The Macro
Close the editor. Press Alt+F8, select “MarkAllAsRead,” and click “Run.”
This will mark all unread emails in the current folder as read.
How To Mark All Read In Outlook For Calendar Or Tasks
Outlook also shows unread items in Calendar and Tasks. Here’s how to mark them.
For Calendar
Click on “Calendar” at the bottom. Go to “View” > “Change View” > “List.” Select all unread items and press Ctrl+Q.
For Tasks
Click on “Tasks.” Use the same method: select all and press Ctrl+Q.
How To Mark All Read In Outlook For Archive Folders
Archive folders often accumulate unread emails. To clean them:
Step 1: Open The Archive Folder
Expand “Archive” in the left sidebar. Click on the subfolder you want.
Step 2: Mark As Read
Use the Folder tab or keyboard shortcut as described earlier.
Repeat for each archive subfolder.
How To Mark All Read In Outlook Without Losing Unread Flag For Important Emails
If you want to keep some emails unread, use the “Flag” feature. Flag important emails before marking all as read. The flag will remain even after the read status changes.
Step 1: Flag Important Emails
Right-click on the email and choose “Flag.” Or click the flag icon.
Step 2: Mark All As Read
Use any method to mark all as read. The flagged emails will now show as read but with a flag.
You can sort by flag to find them later.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Mark All Emails As Read In Outlook Without Opening Them?
Use the “Mark All as Read” option from the Folder tab. Or select all emails with Ctrl+A and press Ctrl+Q. No need to open any email.
Can I Mark All Emails As Read In Outlook On My Phone?
Yes. In the Outlook mobile app, tap “Edit,” then “Select All,” then the “Mark as read” icon. Works on both iPhone and Android.
Why Is “Mark All As Read” Grayed Out In Outlook?
This happens if you are in a search folder or a filtered view. Switch to the default folder view. Also, check if you have permission to modify the folder.
How To Mark All Read In Outlook For Multiple Folders At Once?
Use the search function. Type “isread:no” to find all unread emails across folders. Select all results and mark as read.
Does Marking All As Read In Outlook Delete Emails?
No. It only changes the read status. Emails remain in the folder. You can still find them later.
Final Tips For Managing Unread Emails
Marking all as read is a quick fix. But to avoid clutter, consider these habits:
- Use rules to automatically mark newsletters as read.
- Set up folders and move emails after reading.
- Use the “Sweep” feature to delete old emails.
- Unsubscribe from unwanted mailing lists.
By following this guide, you now know multiple ways to handle unread emails. Whether you need to clean a single folder or automate the process, the tools are at your fingertips.
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Now go ahead and try it. Your inbox will thank you.