Applies ToOutlook for Microsoft 365 Outlook 2024 Outlook 2021 Outlook 2019 Outlook 2016 New Outlook for Windows

A Search Folder is a virtual folder that provides a view of all email items that match specific search criteria that you set when you create the folder.

For example, if you want a single folder with all your unread messages, you can create an Unread Mail search folder. This folder gives you the option to view all your unread messages in a single folder, even though the messages might be saved to across different folders in your mailbox.

Note: Search Folders can’t contain search results from multiple Outlook Data Files (.pst).

Note: If you find the steps under this New Outlook tab aren't working or don't match your version of Outlook, you may not be using new Outlook for Windows yet. Select Classic Outlook and follow those steps instead.

Create a predefined Search Folder in new Outlook for Windows

  1. Go to the mailbox where you want to create a search folder.

  2. Go to Search Folders and select the node . Select Create new search folder.

    Screenshot of Search Folders

  3. In the New search folder window, choose the type of search folder you want to add from the dropdown:

    • Reading mail 

      • Unread mail 

      • Flagged for follow-up

      • Mail either unread or flagged for follow-up

    • Mail from people and lists

      • Mail sent directly to me

      • Mail from specific people

    • Organizing mail

      • Categorized mail 

  4. Confirm the name of your search folder and select Create

    Directly to me Search folder

  5. Go to your Search Folders node and expand it to see all your search folders.

Delete a search folder in new Outlook for Windows

If you no longer need a Search Folder, you can delete it. A search folder is a virtual folder. Deleting a Search Folder from the folder list doesn't delete the messages displayed in the folder.

Delete all messages in a search folder

  1. To delete all messages within a Search Folder, open the Search Folder, select all the messages.

  2. Select Delete on your keyboard.

Delete a search folder

  1. In the Folder List, expand Search Folders.

  2. Right-click the Search Folder you want to delete and select Delete Folder.

Important: Deleting a Search Folder does not delete any messages, however deleting a folder that isn't a Search Folder will delete both the folder and the messages inside the folder. 

Related articles

How to search in Outlook

Search in the new Outlook for Mac 

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