How to prevent emails marking as read in Reading Pane?

Author: Siluvia Last Modified: 2025-04-09

By default, when you viewing an email in the Reading Pane, after seconds or after you moving to other emails, this email will be marked as read status. Sometimes an email is too long to finish reading in Reading Pane. So keep that email as unread can remind you to go back for reading again. This article aims to help you preventing emails marking as read while previewing in Reading Pane.

Prevent emails marking as read in Reading Pane in Outlook 2010 and 2013

Prevent emails marking as read in Reading Pane in Outlook 2007

Prevent emails marking as read in Reading Pane in Outlook 2010 and 2013

In Outlook 2010 and 2013, you can do as follows to prevent emails marking as read in Reading pane.

1. Please click "File" > "Options".

the screenshot of step about preventing emails marking as read in Reading Pane in outlook 2010 and later versions 1

2. In the "Outlook Options" dialog box, click the "Mail" in the left bar, then go to the "Outlook panes" section, click the "Reading Pane" button. See screenshot:

the screenshot of step about preventing emails marking as read in Reading Pane in outlook 2010 and later versions 2

3. In the "Reading Pane" dialog box, uncheck the "Mark items as read when viewed in the Reading Pane" and the "Mark item as read when selection changes" boxes. And then click the "OK" button.

the screenshot of step about preventing emails marking as read in Reading Pane in outlook 2010 and later versions 3

4. When it returns to the "Outlook Options" dialog box, please click the "OK" button.

Prevent emails marking as read in Reading Pane in Outlook 2007

In Outlook 2007, you can do as follows.

1. Click "Tools" > "Options".

the screenshot of step about preventing emails marking as read in Reading Pane in outlook 2007 1

2. In the "Options" dialog box, please go to the "Other" tab, then click the "Reading Pane" button. See screenshot:

the screenshot of step about preventing emails marking as read in Reading Pane in outlook 2007 2

3. In the "Reading Pane" dialog box, uncheck the "Mark items as read when viewed in the Reading Pane" and the "Mark item as read when selection changes" boxes. And then click the "OK" button.

the screenshot of step about preventing emails marking as read in Reading Pane in outlook 2007 3

4. When it returns to the "Options" dialog box, please click the "OK" button.

Notes:

1. After having the above settings, when you preview an email in the Reading Pane or moving to other emails, the email will still at the unread status.

2. If you open the email by double-clicking it, it will be marked as read.