My Folders in Outlook 2021 are literally locked alphabetically and can't be moved. I run the latest version of Windows 11 (24H2 OSBuild 25100.4351).

Slowvince · Jun 21, 2025

My outlook 2021 email folders are locked alpabetically and can't be changed. . I am also current with all office updates and I do not run the new version of outlook. Thanks for your help. Vinny (slowvince).

idgat · Jun 21, 2025

Slowvince said:
My outlook 2021 email folders are locked alpabetically

Which folders - Outlook default folders, or user created (sub)folders?

Rollback_Jockey · Jun 21, 2025

I have about 200 folders, i'm forever moving them about, i use a PST system in case that makes a difference?

Berton · Jun 21, 2025

First the current Build is 26100.4351. Second PST can stand for at least 2 things, one is an Outlook file with the extension of .pst and the other has to do with Railroad Crew Change managing [my wife used to cook for a crew-change hotel].

idgat · Jun 21, 2025

Rollback_Jockey said:
i'm forever moving them about,

Not quite sure where this fits into the conversation .... ? Moving them why, because you can't make up your mind what order you want, or because Outlook (which version?) keeps putting them in the order it wants?

idgat · Jun 21, 2025

AFAIK, any/every email client (Microsoft or 3rd party) alphabetically orders user created (sub/sub/sub/etc) folders, just like the Windows/File Explorer program does

To sort folders according to user needs requires a little lateral thinking, i.e. use a number before the alpha folder name

Rollback_Jockey · Jun 21, 2025

idgat said:
Not quite sure where this fits into the conversation .... ? Moving them why, because you can't make up your mind what order you want, or because Outlook (which version?) keeps putting them in the order it wants?

Relevant because i guessed that's what he was attempting to do in his very vague description. I move them because i choose to re-organise things.

Rollback_Jockey · Jun 21, 2025

idgat said:
AFAIK, any/every email client (Microsoft or 3rd party) alphabetically orders user created (sub/sub/sub/etc) folders, just like the Windows/File Explorer program does

To sort folders according to user needs requires a little lateral thinking, i.e. use a number before the alpha folder name

In Outlook you can drag folders anywhere in the tree and they will stick, you can also drag them into or out of other folders.

Rollback_Jockey · Jun 21, 2025

Berton · Jun 21, 2025

And don't forget that in rearranging files in E-Mail and File Explorer works a lot like a spreadsheet, click the name of a column [just above the first entry] can rearrange the listing either ascending or descending. All columns can be changed and other columns will be affected.

Slowvince · Jun 23, 2025

My outbox folder has dropped aphabetically into my personal folders.

idgat · Jun 23, 2025

Slowvince said:
My outbox folder has dropped aphabetically into my personal folders.

How? Did you do this, or did it just happen? Can you move it back? Was it actually moved, or is it duplicated?

Still none the wiser .....?? Still not sure what exactly the OP is not/trying to do with which folders, where? (but I do like a drink occasionally ....

)

EDIT
Type of account (POP or SMTP)?
Type of account (web based like outlook/gmail/hotmail.com) or domain based (ISP, personal domain, etc)
Is the account accessible through a web page? If so, what's the "sort" order look like there?

Slowvince · Jun 23, 2025

My account is imap and my Comcast Webmail is ordered the same way except it does not show the outbox.

idgat · Jun 23, 2025

Slowvince said:
my Comcast Webmail is ordered the same way except it does not show the outbox.

Nope, sorry, too cryptic for me. I'm done here. I've allowed some latitude for possible NESB but I'm afraid the abbreviated chat-room style responses .....

Slowvince · Jul 17, 2025

I figured out that my PST file is no longer and is now an ost file. This may be the reason for my sub folder issues such as not being able to move them.. How do I convert back to a pst file in Outlook 2021. I now the dffrence in the files and want to go back to a pst file.

My Folders in Outlook 2021 are literally locked alphabetically and can't be moved. I run the latest version of Windows 11 (24H2 OSBuild 25100.4351).

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