How to Hide Strikethrough Messages in Microsoft Outlook: A Step-by-Step Guide for Every Version

Strikethrough messages in Microsoft Outlook can create confusion, especially when managing your inbox. Whether you’re using the older Outlook 97, Outlook 2003, or the newer Outlook for Microsoft 365, there are simple ways to hide these messages. This guide provides user-friendly steps for each version to help you keep your inbox clean and organized.

1. What Are Strikethrough Messages in Outlook?

Strikethrough messages in Microsoft Outlook are emails that have been marked as completed, flagged, or deleted but still appear in your inbox. These messages often distract users and make it harder to focus on important tasks.

Why Hide Strikethrough Messages?

Hiding strikethrough messages in Outlook is essential to:

• Maintain a clutter-free inbox.
• Improve productivity by focusing on active emails.
• Avoid confusion between completed and pending tasks.

How to Hide Strikethrough Messages in Various Outlook Versions

Outlook Version	Steps to Hide Strikethrough Messages
Outlook 97	– Open Outlook.

| Outlook 98 | – Follow steps similar to Outlook 97.
– Use the Advanced Find option to exclude messages with specific formatting. |
| Outlook 2000 | – Go to View.
– Select Define Views.
– Modify your current view to filter out strikethrough emails. |
| Outlook 2003 | – Open the folder with strikethrough emails.
– Right-click on the folder, select Customize Current View.
– Apply filters under the Filter option. |
| Outlook 2007 | – Go to View > Current View.
– Click on Filter.
– Use the Advanced Tab to exclude emails marked as completed or deleted. |
| Outlook 2016 | – Click on the View tab in the ribbon.
– Choose View Settings > Filter.
– Set conditions to hide strikethrough emails. |
| Outlook 2019 | – Similar to Outlook 2016, use View Settings and Filter options to exclude unnecessary messages.|
| Outlook 2021 | – Use the Search Folder feature to create a custom folder excluding strikethrough emails. |
| Outlook for Microsoft 365 | – Navigate to the Filter option under View Settings.
– Apply advanced filtering to hide completed or deleted emails. |

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Tips to Manage Strikethrough Emails Effectively

Tip	Benefit
Use custom views in all versions	Keeps your inbox neat and tailored to your workflow.
Regularly clean up deleted items	Prevents strikethrough messages from appearing frequently.
Archive completed emails	Frees up space in your inbox and hides unnecessary clutter.
Create focused inboxes using filters	Helps you see only the most relevant emails.
Automate rules for email management	Reduces manual effort in managing flagged or completed emails.

Conclusion

Hiding strikethrough messages in Microsoft Outlook can enhance your email experience across all versions, from Outlook 97 to Outlook for Microsoft 365. By applying the steps in this guide, you’ll keep your inbox clean and focus on what truly matters.

Take control of your inbox today and say goodbye to unnecessary distractions!

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