If you use classic Outlook and have heard about the new Copilot themes in the new Outlook for Windows, you may wonder whether they work in your version. Copilot themes allow you to change the visual style of the Outlook interface with AI-generated color palettes and backgrounds. This article explains what Copilot themes are, why they are not available in classic Outlook, and how you can still customize the classic Outlook interface manually.
Key Takeaways: Copilot Themes in New Outlook vs Classic Outlook
- File > Options > General > Personalize your copy of Microsoft Office: Use this path in classic Outlook to change the Office Theme and Background to a solid color or pattern.
- Settings > General > Appearance in new Outlook: This is where Copilot themes appear if you have a Microsoft 365 Copilot subscription and use the new Outlook for Windows.
- Copilot themes are AI-generated: They create a custom color palette and background image based on a prompt you write, but this feature is exclusive to the new Outlook app.
What Are Copilot Themes and Why They Are Not in Classic Outlook
Copilot themes are a visual customization feature in the new Outlook for Windows that uses Microsoft Copilot to generate a unique color scheme and background image. You type a short description such as “calm ocean at sunset” and Copilot creates a theme with matching accent colors and a background graphic. This feature requires a Microsoft 365 Copilot subscription and the new Outlook app.
Classic Outlook, the version installed with Microsoft 365 and Office 2021/2019, does not support Copilot themes. The classic Outlook interface is built on a different framework (the Office Fluent UI) that does not include the dynamic theming engine used by the new Outlook. Microsoft has stated that new Outlook features, including Copilot themes, will not be backported to classic Outlook.
Classic Outlook users can still change the Office Theme and Office Background through the standard Office settings. These settings affect all Office apps including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
What a Copilot Theme Changes in New Outlook
When you apply a Copilot theme in new Outlook, the following elements change:
- Accent color used for buttons, links, and selection highlights
- Background image behind the reading pane and folder pane
- Color of the ribbon and title bar
Classic Outlook does not have these same visual layers. The classic Outlook ribbon and title bar use the system accent color or the Office Theme color, and there is no dynamic background image behind the panes.
Steps to Customize Classic Outlook Appearance Manually
Although you cannot use Copilot themes in classic Outlook, you can change the Office Theme and Office Background to achieve a similar visual effect. These settings apply to all Office apps.
- Open Outlook and go to File > Options
Click File in the top-left corner, then click Options at the bottom of the left sidebar. The Outlook Options dialog opens. - Select the General tab
In the Outlook Options dialog, click General on the left side. This page contains personalization settings for the entire Office suite. - Choose an Office Theme
Under the section “Personalize your copy of Microsoft Office,” find the Office Theme dropdown. You can select Colorful, Dark Gray, Black, or White. The Colorful theme uses the default blue accent color. Select the theme you prefer. - Set an Office Background
Below the Office Theme dropdown, find the Office Background dropdown. Options include No Background, Circles and Stripes, Clouds, Calligraphy, and several others. Each background is a subtle pattern or image that appears in the title bar area of Outlook and other Office apps. Select one. - Click OK to apply changes
Click OK at the bottom of the Outlook Options dialog. The new theme and background apply immediately to Outlook and to any other open Office app. You may need to restart Outlook to see the full effect.
These settings are global. If you change the Office Theme in Outlook, it also changes in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. There is no way to set a different theme per app.
Limitations and Things to Avoid When Customizing Classic Outlook
Classic Outlook Does Not Support Custom Background Images in the Reading Pane
Unlike new Outlook, classic Outlook does not allow you to set a custom background image behind the email list or reading pane. The Office Background only appears in the title bar area. Do not look for a setting to add a full-window background image in classic Outlook — it does not exist.
Copilot Themes Require a Copilot Subscription and New Outlook
Even if you switch to new Outlook, Copilot themes are only available if your organization or personal subscription includes Microsoft 365 Copilot. The standard Microsoft 365 Personal or Family subscriptions do not include Copilot. You must have Copilot Pro or a Microsoft 365 Copilot business license.
Changing the Windows Accent Color Does Not Affect Classic Outlook Completely
Some users try to change the Windows accent color in Settings > Personalization > Colors to affect Outlook. This changes the system accent color used by some elements in Windows 11, but classic Outlook uses its own Office Theme accent color. The Windows accent color does not override the Outlook accent color. To change the accent color in classic Outlook, you must change the Office Theme to Colorful and then change the Office Background — but even then, the accent color remains blue unless you use a third-party tool.
Classic Outlook vs New Outlook: Theme and Customization Options
| Item | Classic Outlook | New Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| AI-generated Copilot themes | Not available | Available with Copilot subscription |
| Office Theme (Colorful, Dark Gray, Black, White) | Yes, via File > Options > General | Yes, via Settings > General > Appearance |
| Office Background (patterns in title bar) | Yes, via File > Options > General | Not available in new Outlook |
| Custom background image in reading pane | Not available | Yes, via Copilot themes or manual image upload |
| Accent color selection | System accent or Office default blue only | Multiple preset colors plus Copilot-generated colors |
Classic Outlook users have fewer theme options than new Outlook users. The main advantage of classic Outlook is its offline capabilities and mature add-in support, not visual customization.
You can now change the Office Theme and Office Background in classic Outlook using File > Options > General. If you want Copilot themes, switch to new Outlook and ensure you have a Copilot subscription. Next, try the new Outlook side-by-side with classic Outlook using the toggle in the top-right corner to compare the visual options directly. An advanced tip: to quickly open Outlook Options in classic Outlook, press Alt+F then press the O key.