Many users who switch from classic Outlook to the new Outlook for Windows find the folder pane behaves differently. In classic Outlook, you could drag and drop folders to any position and they stayed exactly where you put them. The new Outlook uses a different sorting logic that can make folders appear in an order you did not expect. This article explains why the folder order changes and how to regain control so the folder pane works like classic Outlook.
Key Takeaways: Folder Reorder in New Outlook
- New Outlook uses alphabetical folder sorting by default: Folders are sorted A-Z by name, not by your custom drag-and-drop order from classic Outlook.
- Right-click a folder > Move Up / Move Down: The only way to manually reorder folders in the new Outlook folder pane.
- Favorites section for pinned folders: Pin frequently used folders to the Favorites area at the top of the pane for quick access regardless of alphabetical order.
Why the Folder Pane Order Changed in New Outlook
Classic Outlook stored folder order in a local configuration file tied to your Windows user profile. When you dragged a folder to a new position, Outlook wrote that position to a hidden file called Outcmd.dat. The new Outlook does not use this file. Instead, it uses a cloud-based folder model that sorts folders alphabetically by default. This change was made to keep the folder pane consistent across all your devices — phone, tablet, and desktop — but it removed the manual reorder behavior you were used to.
The new Outlook folder pane has two main areas: the Favorites section at the top and the folder list below it. The folder list always shows your mailboxes, archive folders, and subfolders in alphabetical order. You cannot override this default sort order for the main folder list. However, you can use the Favorites section to create a custom order for the folders you use most often.
Steps to Reorder Folders in the New Outlook Folder Pane
The only manual reorder method in new Outlook is the Move Up and Move Down commands on the right-click menu. These commands work on folders in both the Favorites section and the main folder list. However, in the main folder list, the reorder is temporary — it resets to alphabetical after you restart Outlook or sync your mailbox. The Favorites section keeps your order permanently.
- Open the new Outlook folder pane
Launch new Outlook. The folder pane is on the left side of the window. If you do not see it, select View > Folder Pane > Show. - Right-click the folder you want to move
Find the folder in the main folder list or in the Favorites section. Right-click it to open the context menu. - Select Move Up or Move Down
From the context menu, choose Move Up to shift the folder one position higher or Move Down to shift it one position lower. Repeat this step until the folder is in your desired position. - Add a folder to Favorites for permanent custom order
Right-click any folder and select Add to Favorites. The folder appears in the Favorites section at the top of the pane. You can then use Move Up and Move Down inside the Favorites section to arrange these folders in any order you like. This order is saved permanently. - Remove a folder from Favorites
Right-click a folder in the Favorites section and select Remove from Favorites. The folder returns to its alphabetical position in the main folder list below.
If the Folder Pane Still Does Not Match Classic Outlook
Folders reset to alphabetical order after restarting Outlook
This is by design for the main folder list. The only way to keep a custom order is to use the Favorites section. Move your most important folders to Favorites and arrange them there. The main folder list will always sort alphabetically.
Move Up and Move Down options are grayed out
If the Move Up and Move Down commands are disabled, the folder is likely a system folder like Inbox, Sent Items, or Deleted Items. These folders cannot be moved in the main list. You can still add them to Favorites and reorder them inside Favorites.
Cannot drag and drop folders to reorder
The new Outlook does not support drag-and-drop reordering in the folder pane. This is a deliberate design change. Use the right-click Move Up and Move Down commands or the Favorites section instead.
Folder order differs between new Outlook and Outlook mobile app
The Favorites section order syncs across devices. If you arrange folders in Favorites on your desktop, the same order appears in the Outlook mobile app. The main folder list remains alphabetical on all devices.
Classic Outlook vs New Outlook: Folder Pane Reorder Comparison
| Item | Classic Outlook | New Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| Default folder sort order | Custom drag-and-drop order saved in Outcmd.dat | Alphabetical by folder name |
| Manual reorder method | Drag and drop any folder to any position | Right-click > Move Up / Move Down |
| Permanent custom order location | Entire folder list | Favorites section only |
| Reorder persistence after restart | Order is saved and restored | Main list resets to alphabetical; Favorites order is saved |
| System folder reorder (Inbox, Sent Items) | Can be moved anywhere | Cannot be moved in main list; can be reordered in Favorites |
| Cross-device sync of folder order | Does not sync | Favorites order syncs across all devices |
The new Outlook folder pane is designed for consistency across devices. While you lose the ability to freely drag every folder, the Favorites section gives you a permanent custom order for the folders you use most. Use the right-click Move Up and Move Down commands inside Favorites to arrange your folders exactly as you did in classic Outlook. If you need quick access to a folder that is buried deep in the alphabetical list, add it to Favorites rather than trying to reorder the main folder list.