You can still change Outlook’s appearance without Themes by Copilot. The steps depend on which Outlook you use: Outlook.com and Outlook on the web have mailbox appearance settings, Windows desktop Outlook uses the Office theme, and Mac Outlook has its own appearance choices. Microsoft’s current help pages still document Themes by Copilot, so its absence does not mean the feature has been removed for everyone.
Choose the Outlook appearance setting that matches what you want to change
“Outlook theme” can mean the background and light or dark mode of your mailbox, the color scheme of the Office app, or the layout of your message list. Those controls are separate, and the right route depends on your Outlook client.
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| Outlook client | Setting to change | Where to look |
|---|---|---|
| Outlook.com or Outlook on the web | Mailbox theme or mode | Settings > General > Appearance |
| Microsoft 365 Outlook for Windows | Office app theme | File > Options > General |
| Outlook for Mac | App appearance | Preferences > General |
| New Outlook for Windows | Mailbox appearance; Themes by Copilot may also be available | Settings > General > Appearance |
For web and Outlook.com, Microsoft lists display density, reading pane, and related message-list options separately from appearance settings. If you want to change how messages are arranged rather than the mailbox’s colors, use the layout or view controls instead. Microsoft’s Outlook.com and web appearance guide describes the distinction.
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- Open Outlook.com or Outlook on the web and select Settings.
- Go to General > Appearance.
- Choose a mailbox theme or appearance mode from the available options.
This changes the mailbox’s appearance, not the message-list layout. The available options can vary by Outlook experience.
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Change the Office theme in Outlook for Windows
- In desktop Outlook, select File > Options > General.
- Under the Office appearance or personalization options, choose an Office Theme.
- Select Use system setting if you want Office to follow Windows’ light or dark mode.
Microsoft says Use system setting is the default. This control changes Office app chrome; it is distinct from Outlook.com’s mailbox appearance settings. The precise wording or placement can differ across Outlook versions. See Microsoft’s Office theme guidance.
Keep the Black theme from recoloring message backgrounds
Outlook’s Black theme can recolor message backgrounds to match the app. To stop that behavior in the documented Windows desktop Outlook settings, go to File > Options > General, find Personalize your copy of Microsoft Office, and select Never change the message background color.
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Change appearance in Outlook for Mac
Microsoft’s guide documents appearance choices in Outlook > Preferences > General: Light, Dark, or System. Choose System to follow macOS appearance. Labels and paths may vary with Outlook and macOS versions; the same guide also describes changing macOS appearance in System Settings > Appearance and an app-level Turn Off Dark Mode option. See Microsoft’s Office appearance guidance.
If Themes by Copilot is missing
Microsoft’s FAQ, last updated in August 2026, says Themes by Copilot are available in Appearance Settings, and its theme-creation guide continues to document the feature. That documentation does not establish that every account or Outlook installation has access, nor does it show that the feature was universally removed. Microsoft’s Themes by Copilot FAQ says a work Copilot license is required; its creation guide lists new Outlook for Windows, web, iOS, Android, Outlook.com, and the latest Mac version, and advises contacting an IT administrator if the feature is inaccessible.
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- Slim and compact Performs like a traditional, full-size keyboard.
- Clicks in place instantly Use in combination with the Surface Pro (11th Edition), Pro 9 and Pro 8* kickstand for a perfect laptop experience anywhere.
If you cannot find the option, check that you are using one of the clients named in Microsoft’s guide and confirm your account and license context. If you use a managed work account, ask your administrator whether your access is limited. Microsoft’s pages describe different eligibility contexts, so they do not establish one universal reason for a missing control.
The feature is intended for creating themes based on a place of interest, your current location, or weather, with realistic, oil-painting, and cartoon styles. Microsoft says additional types and styles, as well as open-ended prompting, are not currently supported in the FAQ.
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