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my email sub folders, clients first and last names are not listing in alphabetical order

Rich H 0 Reputation points
2026-04-09T11:05:20.65+00:00

Starting in 2026, my email folders, clients first and last names are not listing in alphabetical order. My email folders created in 2025 and before list in order, but now all of my 2026 email folders are simply listed above the "A" name folder in order of date of correction. How can I get all files to just list in alphabetical order?

Outlook | Windows | Classic Outlook for Windows | For business
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  1. Jayden-P 18,895 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-04-09T11:40:10.7466667+00:00

    Hi @Rich H

    First, can you please provide your Outlook Classic version? You can check this in File > Office Account > About Outlook.

    This is my observation on version 2603 build 19822.20142.

    For email subfolder, you can go to Folder tab > Choose Show All Folders A to Z. This will set the order by alphabetical order.

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    For clients first and last names, are you referring to contact? If yes, you can sort it by going to View tab > View Settings > Sort > You can sort by choosing Last Name or First Name or any other field.

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    I hope this information helps.


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  2. Q&A Assist
    2026-04-09T11:05:32.31+00:00
    AI generated content. This question contains an answer created with AI from Q&A Assist. Learn more

    In classic Outlook for Windows, folders can switch from alphabetical to a custom order if they have been dragged or reordered. To restore pure alphabetical order for all folders (including those created in 2026), use the built‑in “Show All Folders A to Z” command:

    1. In Outlook, go to the Folder tab on the ribbon.
    2. In the Clean Up group, select Show All Folders A to Z.

    This resets the folder list back to alphabetical order under each parent folder, so newer folders no longer appear grouped by creation date above the “A” folders.

    If any folders are still out of place, they may have been moved under another folder. In that case, open the Folder Pane and drag those folders back to the correct parent folder, then run Show All Folders A to Z again if needed.


    References:

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