How to Change the Default Startup Folder in Outlook 2013

When you first launch Outlook 2013, there is a strong chance that it will open directly to your inbox. This is the default behavior for the program, and is commonly preferred by many users.

But if you have set up rules in Outlook 2013 that filter messages into different folders, then you might prefer to use one of those other folders as the default folder in the program. Our guide below will show you where to modify the default folder setting in Outlook 2013 so that you can select whichever folder you prefer.

Changing the Default Startup Folder in Outlook 2013

The steps below will change the folder that Outlook displays when the program is first launched. You will still be able to navigate between folders by clicking them from the Folder Pane at the left side of the window.

Here is how to change the default startup folder in Outlook 2013 –

  1. Open Outlook 2013.
  2. Click the File tab at the top-left corner of the window.
  3. Click Options in the column at the left side of the window.
  4. Click the Advanced tab in the left column of Outlook Options.
  5. Click the Browse button to the right of Start Outlook in this folder.
  6. Select the preferred startup folder, then click the OK button.

These same steps are shown below with pictures –

Step 1: Open Outlook 2013.

Step 2: Click the File tab at the top-left corner of the window.

click the file tab

Step 3: Click Options in the column at the left side of the window.

click options button

Step 4: Click the Advanced tab at the left side of the Outlook Options window.

click advanced tab

Step 5: Click the Browse button to the right of Start Outlook in this folder.

how to change default startup folder outlook 2013

Step 6: Click the folder in which you would like Outlook to open by default, then click the OK button.

select the startup folder

You can then click the OK button at the bottom of the Outlook Options window to save and apply your changes.

Now that you know how to change the default startup folder in Outlook 2013, you can have the application open to whatever folder in your email account you would prefer to use.

If you feel that Outlook doesn’t check your mail server for new messages often enough, then you might wish to change that setting. Learn how to change the send and receive frequency in Outlook 2013 and tell the program how often it should check for new messages.

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