How to Set Up One-Click Actions for Email in Outlook.com

Customize and change message and toolbar quick actions

What to Know

  • Go to Settings > View all Outlook settings > Mail > Customize Actions and select up to four.
  • Add subjects: Settings > View all Outlook settings > Mail > Customize Actions > Message surface.

Here's how to set up, customize, and change Outlook.com's one-click actions. When you hover over an email, the associated buttons will appear so you can easily delete, flag, move, archive, or pin it, or even mark it as read or unread, with just one click.

Create Quick Actions for Emails in Outlook.com

To create quick actions in Outlook.com:

  1. Go to Settings (gear icon).

  2. Scroll down and select View all Outlook settings.

    Screenshot of Outlook.com settings
  3. In the Settings dialog box, select Mail > Customize Actions.

    Screenshot of Outlook.com Mail Customize actions
  4. Select the actions you want to display on messages in the message list.

    Outlook.com supports a maximum of four quick actions. If four actions are selected, clear an action you don't want and choose another.

  5. Select Save. The actions you selected will now appear beside sender names and subject lines in the message list.

Add Quick Actions to the Message Surface

To select the instant actions you want to display when reading a message:

  1. Go to Settings > View all Outlook settings.

  2. Select Mail > Customize Actions.

  3. In the Message surface section, choose the actions you want to see when you select a message.

    Screenshot of Quick actions in the message surface area
  4. Select Save. Your chosen message surface actions will now be in your email messages when you read them.

Add Quick Actions to the Toolbar

To select the options to display when composing a message:

  1. Go to Settings > View all Outlook settings.

  2. Select Mail > Customize Actions.

  3. In the Toolbar section, select the options you want to see on the toolbar at the bottom of the message window.

    Screenshot of Quick Actions for the Toolbar
  4. Select Save to save your changes. You'll now see your selections on the toolbar when you're composing a message.

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