Where to find the theme settings in Outlook

The theme controls in Outlook are in the File menu, under Options. Open Outlook, click File in the top left, then select Options at the bottom of the menu. In the Options window, click Display on the left side. You will see a section called "Colorful, Dark, or Classic" near the top — this is where you switch between the three main themes that Outlook offers.

The three options are Colorful (the default, with a blue accent color), Dark (a dark gray background with lighter text), and Classic (a simpler white background with minimal color). Selecting any of these changes your entire Outlook window when ready, including the ribbon, sidebar, and message pane.

Key Takeaways

  • Theme settings are in File > Options > Display, under the "Colorful, Dark, or Classic" section.
  • Outlook offers three built-in themes: Colorful (blue accents), Dark (gray background), and Classic (white background).
  • Changing the theme affects the entire Outlook window, not individual emails or folders.
  • Dark theme reduces eye strain in low-light environments but may print differently than the Colorful theme.
  • Your theme choice syncs across devices if you are signed into the same Microsoft account.

What each theme looks like and when to use it

Colorful is the standard Outlook appearance. It uses a white background for your email list and message pane, with a blue ribbon at the top and blue accents throughout. This theme works well in bright offices and is easiest to read when printing emails.

Dark theme changes the background to dark gray or black, with white or light gray text. The ribbon and sidebar also turn dark. This theme is easier on the eyes if you work in dim lighting or spend long hours in Outlook. Some people find it reduces headaches from screen glare, though this varies by individual.

Classic theme strips away most color and uses a straightforward white background with black text and gray buttons. It is the most minimal option and may feel familiar if you used older versions of Outlook. It uses the least amount of visual processing, which some users prefer.

How to adjust colors beyond the main themes

The three main themes are the only built-in color options in Outlook. You cannot customize individual colors — for example, you cannot change just the ribbon color or just the sidebar color. If none of the three themes suit you, your only option is to choose the one closest to what you want.

If you use Windows, you can change your system-wide accent color in Windows Settings, and Outlook will use that color in the Colorful theme. Go to Settings > Personalization > Colors, choose your accent color, and Outlook will reflect that change. This does not work in Dark or Classic themes, which ignore the system accent color.

What happens to your emails when you change the theme

Changing the theme does not change the appearance of your actual emails — only the Outlook interface around them. The emails themselves display in their original formatting, whether they are plain text or HTML. A theme change affects only what you see in Outlook on your computer, not how the email looks to other people or how it appears in other email programs.

If you print an email while using Dark theme, the email may print with a dark background, which uses more ink and looks different from the screen. If you plan to print emails regularly, Colorful or Classic theme is usually better. You can also print to PDF and adjust the colors there before printing to paper.

How theme settings work across your devices

If you sign into Outlook with the same Microsoft account on multiple devices, your theme choice syncs automatically. If you change to Dark theme on your desktop, your laptop will also switch to Dark theme the next time you open Outlook. This sync happens within a few minutes but is not instantaneous.

If you use Outlook on a work computer and a personal computer with different accounts, each account remembers its own theme separately. The theme you choose for your work account does not affect your personal account, even if both are on the same device.

Troubleshooting theme changes that do not stick

If you change your theme but it reverts to the previous one when you restart Outlook, your settings may not be saving. Close Outlook completely, wait a few seconds, and reopen it. If the theme still does not stick, try restarting your computer. Sometimes Outlook needs a full restart to explore theme changes.

If you are using a work account managed by your organization, your IT department may have locked the theme setting. In that case, the theme options in Display settings will be grayed out and you cannot change them. Contact your IT support to ask whether theme changes are allowed on your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Dark theme but keep my emails in light colors?

No. Dark theme changes the entire Outlook interface, including how emails display in the preview pane. The emails themselves keep their original formatting, but the background and text colors around them turn dark. If you want light emails with a dark interface, Outlook does not offer that combination.

Does changing the theme affect how other people see my emails?

No. Your theme is only for your own view of Outlook. When you send an email, the recipient sees it in whatever theme they have chosen for their own email program. Your theme choice has no effect on how your emails look to anyone else.

What if I want to use Dark theme but print emails in light colors?

You can switch to Colorful or Classic theme before printing, then switch back to Dark afterward. Alternatively, you can print to PDF while in Dark theme, then open the PDF and print from there — some PDF readers let you invert colors before printing.

Will changing my theme affect my calendar or contacts?

Yes. The theme applies to all parts of Outlook — email, calendar, contacts, and tasks. When you switch themes, all of these sections change together. You cannot use Dark theme for email and Colorful theme for your calendar.

Can I schedule my theme to change automatically at certain times?

Outlook does not have a built-in scheduler for theme changes. However, if you use Windows 10 or later, you can set your system to switch between light and dark modes on a schedule in Windows Settings, and Outlook will follow that change automatically.