# How do I restore my Outlook email settings?
## Restore Outlook Email Setting | 1-888-303-0967 | Outlook Customer Support
Microsoft Outlook is a powerful and customizable email client. Over time, users may change display settings, folder views, signature configurations, or even account settings—either intentionally or by mistake. If something feels off and you want to bring Outlook back to how it used to work, this guide will show you step-by-step how to restore Outlook email settings, from layout adjustments to full profile resets.

**1. What Are Outlook Email Settings?**
[Outlook email settings](https://hubinfo.bettermode.io/discussions/post/how-do-i-restore-my-outlook-email-settings-kfBuZw77ad6b3DY) refer to all configurations and preferences that affect how the application looks, behaves, and syncs. These include:

View settings: Folder pane, reading pane, message previews, sorting

Account settings: Email account setup (IMAP/POP/Exchange), send/receive preferences

Rules and alerts: Automated email sorting

Signature settings

Junk mail and spam filters

Notifications and alerts

Data files (PST/OST)

When users say, “I want to restore my Outlook email settings,” they typically mean returning everything to a known good configuration.

**2. Common Reasons to Restore Outlook Settings**
Here are typical scenarios where you might need to restore settings:

After a Windows or Outlook update

Unexpected changes to layout or folder visibility

Corrupted profile or data file

Missing emails or folders

Emails not syncing or sending

Accidental deletion or misconfiguration

**3. Quick Fix: Restore View Settings**
Sometimes, the issue is purely visual—your Inbox looks different, folders are hidden, or messages aren’t sorted correctly.

Reset Folder View to Default
Open Outlook.

Select the folder (like Inbox).

Go to the View tab.

Click Reset View.

Shortcut: Press Windows + R, type outlook.exe /cleanviews, press Enter.
This resets all custom views in Outlook back to the default.

**4. Resetting Specific Email Settings**
A. Signature Settings
If your email signature was removed or altered:

Go to File > Options > Mail > Signatures.

Choose the default signature for new messages and replies.

Recreate or import your signature if needed.

B. Junk Email and Rules
If rules are misrouting your emails:

Go to Home > Rules > Manage Rules & Alerts.

Review and delete unnecessary or broken rules.

Check your Junk Email folder.

Add safe senders under Home > Junk > Junk Email Options.

C. Reading Pane
To restore your reading pane:

Go to View > Reading Pane > Right or Bottom.

Adjust message preview or sorting via View Settings.

**5. Resetting Account Configuration**
Sometimes, resetting your actual email account settings helps solve syncing or sending issues.

Step-by-Step:
Go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings.

Select the problematic email account.

Click Repair and follow the prompts.

If repairing doesn’t work:

Remove the account and re-add it using New.

Make sure you have your login credentials and mail server details (especially for IMAP/POP accounts).

**6. Rebuilding the Outlook Profile**
Creating a new Outlook profile often solves deeper issues caused by corruption or misconfigured settings.

To create a new profile:
Close Outlook.

Go to Control Panel > Mail > Show Profiles.

Click Add, name the new profile, and set up your account.

Select Always use this profile, and choose the new one.

Restart Outlook.

This restores all default settings and usually resolves persistent errors.

**7. Restore From Backup or Export File**
If you previously exported your settings or data:

A. Restore from PST File
Go to File > Open & Export > Import/Export.

Choose Import from another program or file > Outlook Data File (.pst).

Browse to your saved PST file and import it.

This helps recover emails, contacts, and calendar items.

B. Restore Account Settings Manually
Unfortunately, Outlook doesn't let you export account settings directly. You’ll need to manually re-enter:

Server types (IMAP, POP, Exchange)

Server names and ports

Email addresses and passwords

Related Blog:
https://hubinfo.bettermode.io/discussions/post/how-can-i-get-my-outlook-account-back-tqFfx1Zy1tf33cu

https://hubinfo.bettermode.io/discussions/post/can-i-recover-a-deleted-outlook-account-rGi136AS11m7EFv

https://hubinfo.bettermode.io/discussions/post/how-do-i-restore-my-outlook-email-settings-kfBuZw77ad6b3DY

**8. Using Safe Mode to Isolate Issues**
If Outlook behaves strangely, you can launch it in Safe Mode to bypass custom settings and add-ins.

To launch Safe Mode:
Press Windows + R

Type outlook.exe /safe

Press Enter

If everything works fine in Safe Mode, the issue is likely due to add-ins or third-party tools.

Disable Add-ins
Go to File > Options > Add-ins.

At the bottom, choose COM Add-ins > Go.

Uncheck unnecessary items and restart Outlook.

**9. Reset Outlook Web App (Outlook.com) Settings**
If you're using the web version of Outlook (Outlook.com), you can reset display and layout settings:

To restore layout and view settings:
Click the gear icon in the top-right corner.

Click View all Outlook settings.

Go to Mail > Layout.

Adjust settings like:

Reading Pane location

Focused Inbox on/off

Message list density

Conversation view

If issues persist, try clearing your browser’s cache or using a different browser.

**10. How to Avoid Future Issues**
To maintain your Outlook setup and avoid reconfiguration:

✅ Backup your data
Use File > Export to back up data to a PST file.

✅ Document your account settings
Keep a written copy of your server settings (IMAP/SMTP) and login credentials.

✅ Enable cloud syncing (for Outlook 365 users)
This ensures contacts, calendar, and settings sync across devices.

✅ Periodically review and update rules, signatures, and junk email settings.
11. When to Contact Support
If Outlook fails to open, crashes frequently, or you cannot restore settings:

Use the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant:
https://diagnostics.office.com

Contact Microsoft support directly if you are using Microsoft 365, Outlook.com Premium, or are an enterprise user.

**12. Final Thoughts**
[Restoring Outlook email settings](https://hubinfo.bettermode.io/discussions/post/how-do-i-restore-my-outlook-email-settings-kfBuZw77ad6b3DY) doesn’t have to be a headache. Whether you need to reset visual layouts, repair email account configurations, or rebuild your entire profile, Microsoft provides the tools to make it happen. From basic display issues to complex sync problems, following the right steps will help you get Outlook back to a stable, familiar state.

Always remember to back up your data and document key settings so future restores are easier and stress-free.