FLORIDA —
Question: I am using Outlook to send and receive emails. It does not show all emails that are in my inbox. If, for instance, I search my inbox for a particular sender, I will be presented with emails that are not otherwise visible to me. Why is this, and more importantly, how do I fix this? Thanks in advance.
– Dave G.
Destin, Florida
Answer: Oh my, Dave, Outlook is such a large and complex piece of software that this may be a tough one to easily pin down.
Outlook supports multiple types of email servers, and multiple ways of accessing them, so it can get complex really quickly. There are multiple options for the way you view your inbox, including filters, which might act in a manner very similar to what you’re describing. To me, that’s the most likely candidate, so I’m going to focus on helping you to reset the view of your inbox.
Within Outlook, go to the View tab, then click “Reset View.” This will restore the default view setting for the currently active folder, so in your case, you will want to be in the Inbox when you do the reset.
You can also try these steps: from the View tab, click “Change View.” Select “Compact,” then open the Layout dropdown menu. Click on “Folder Pane” and select “Normal.”
You should clear any filters that are applied to your inbox. Filters work in various ways, but they basically change what e-mails are displayed in a given folder.
To clear filters, perform the following: In the lower left corner of Outlook, double click “Filter applied,” then click “Clear all” and “OK.” From the Outlook menu, click “View” -> “Change view” -> “Apply current view other mail folders.”
Keep the mailbox checked, and at the bottom click, “Apply view to sub-folders” then “OK”.
Your problem may go beyond mere settings in Outlook, Dave. I’ve read posts online about duplicate .OST files where Outlook stores email data. I’ve also read posts where people claim that the solution that worked for them was changing to a newer version of Outlook. That sounds extreme, but whatever works, right? Good luck!
Geeky News Update:
I feel like I may have “Thanks, Bill’d!” myself into disfavor with our dread overlords at Microsoft Corporation. I’m kidding or course. I don’t for a minute think I’m significant enough to even begin coming to the attention of anyone on the inside at Redmond. Still, one has to wonder when I publish what appears to be a significant news item (“Microsoft closes the door on Windows 11 support for older hardware,” I.G.T.M. #907, Dec 8, 2024) only to have Microsoft almost immediately do a 180-degree turnaround.
So, here’s a new headline for you: Microsoft now allowing Windows 11 on older, incompatible PCs. So, after years of warning that they would not allow Windows 11 to run on certain older hardware, namely, PCs that are not equipped with a Trusted Platform Module, or TPM, and a scant week after doubling down and confirming that position, Microsoft announced this week that it will, in fact, allow Windows 11 on these older PCs.
That change in position doesn’t come without its share of dire warnings, however.
“Installing Windows 11 on a device that doesn’t meet Windows 11 minimum system requirements isn’t recommended. If Windows 11 is installed on ineligible hardware, you should be comfortable assuming the risk of running into compatibility issues.”
These risks include the usual spate of warnings that arise from failure to upgrade, to include not receiving the latest security patches and other updates, as well as potential system lock-ups and other crashes. They are basically saying, “Go ahead and do it if you want, but when something doesn’t work, don’t come running to us. We warned you.”
This Geek has a feeling that I may be answering a lot of questions on this topic in the future! Read more at TinyURL.com/IGTM-0908.
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Geek Note:
As 2024 rushes to a close, I find myself with a genuine lack of questions to answer in the new year. I know the disappearance of the column from local papers here in the Florida panhandle has cut down on readership, but I’ve been hoping to hear more from readers in other markets and on platforms other than print media.
So, how about it, my dear Geeks? Are we going to let 2024 be the final year of I.G.T.M., or can I count on you to send in your questions or story ideas to help keep me going for another year?
Jeff Werner, a software engineer based in Niceville, Florida, has been writing his popular “It’s Geek to Me” tech column since 2007. He shares his expertise to help readers solve everyday tech challenges. To view additional content, comment on articles, or submit a question, visit ItsGeekToMe.co (not .com!).
