Email Search Issues

How to Find a Mail Folder in Outlook on the Web and New Outlook

Emma Brown Oct 7, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is trying to search for a specific mail folder by name in Outlook on the web or the new Outlook app, but cannot find a search function to do so.

How to Find a Mail Folder in Outlook on the Web and New Outlook

Product: Outlook on the Web and New Outlook
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Navigating a large volume of custom mail folders and attempting to quickly locate a specific one using a search bar.
Observed behavior: Outlook does not currently provide a native, universal folder-search feature in its web and new app versions, requiring users to scroll manually.

Before you start

Ensure you are logged into your Outlook account and that your left-hand folder navigation pane is fully expanded so you can view your folder hierarchy.

Solution 1Recommended

Add Frequently Used Folders to Favorites

Since Outlook lacks a direct folder search, pinning important folders to your Favorites keeps them easily accessible at the top of your sidebar.

This workaround does not search all folders, but it prevents you from having to manually scroll through a long list to find the folders you access most often.

Locate the folder

Manually scroll through the left navigation pane to find the specific folder you want to keep handy.

Open the context menu

Right-click the folder name to reveal a list of folder management options.

Add to Favorites

Select 'Add to Favorites' from the dropdown menu. The folder will now permanently appear in the 'Favorites' section at the top left of your screen.

Add Frequently Used Folders to Favorites

Quick Access: You can add multiple folders to your Favorites and reorder them within the Favorites section by dragging and dropping.

Solution 2

Move the Folder Higher in the Folder List

Manually reorganize your folder hierarchy to keep crucial folders near the top of your Inbox view.

Solution 3

Submit Feature Feedback to Microsoft

Let the Microsoft product team know that a universal folder search is a necessary feature for your workflow.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Experience a Smoother Workflow with WPS Office

While waiting for Microsoft to add missing features in Outlook can be frustrating, your daily document management doesn't have to be. WPS Office is a free, lightweight, and powerful alternative to Microsoft Office. It offers a familiar interface and comprehensive tools for all your productivity needs without the heavy subscription fees.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS website and click the download button to get the free installation file.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the installer and follow the quick on-screen instructions to set up the software in minutes.
3. Open Your Files: Launch WPS Office and seamlessly open your existing Microsoft Office documents to continue your work.

Free and lightweight alternative to heavy productivity suites.Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats like DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX.Familiar UI guarantees a seamless migration with zero learning curve.All-in-one suite combining Writer, Spreadsheet, Presentation, and PDF tools.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I search for a folder in the new Outlook?

Microsoft has not yet implemented a universal folder-search feature in the new Outlook app or Outlook on the web. Currently, users must manually scroll through the folder pane to locate specific custom folders.

Can I search for specific emails inside a lost folder?

Yes. Even if you cannot search for the folder name itself, you can use the top search bar to look for specific keywords or senders related to the emails inside that folder. Once you find the email, you can view its properties to see which folder it resides in.

How do I remove a folder from my Favorites in Outlook?

To remove a folder, right-click the folder name in the Favorites section at the top of your left navigation pane and select 'Remove from Favorites'. This will not delete the folder; it simply unpins it from the top.

Does the classic Outlook desktop app have a folder search?

Older versions of the classic Outlook desktop client offer more robust folder management and search capabilities, but this specific universal folder search is currently missing from the newer web-based and 'New Outlook' versions.

Outlook & Email Problems