If you open Outlook 2013 and notice that your folder list is missing, don’t panic. This is a common issue and usually happens because the Navigation Pane has been minimized, collapsed, or hidden. The folder list is essential for accessing your inbox, sent items, and custom folders, so restoring it is important.
Here’s a complete guide to finding and restoring your folder list in Outlook 2013.
Why the Folder List Disappears
There are a few common reasons your folder list might be missing:
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Navigation Pane is minimized – Outlook hides the folder list to save screen space.
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Folder Pane is collapsed – The pane is still there but reduced to icons.
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Outlook settings changed accidentally – Sometimes updates or accidental clicks hide the pane.
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View issues – Certain views can temporarily hide the folder list.
How to Restore the Folder List in Outlook 2013
1. Use the Navigation Pane Button
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Open Outlook 2013.
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Look at the top-left corner and click View.
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In the Layout group, click Folder Pane.
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Select Normal.
This will restore the full folder list on the left-hand side of your screen.
2. Expand a Collapsed Pane
Sometimes the folder list is minimized as a thin bar:
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Look for a small arrow (>) on the left side of Outlook.
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Click it to expand the folder list.
3. Keyboard Shortcut
Press Ctrl + 6 on your keyboard.
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This switches to the Folder List view directly.
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You’ll see all mail folders, including Inbox, Sent Items, Drafts, and custom folders.
4. Reset the Navigation Pane
If the folder list still doesn’t appear:
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Close Outlook.
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Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
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Type:
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Press Enter.
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This resets the navigation pane to default settings and should restore your folder list.
Note: Any customizations to the Navigation Pane may be lost, but your emails and folders remain safe.
Tips to Keep Your Folder List Visible
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Always use Normal view in the Folder Pane settings.
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Avoid accidentally collapsing the Navigation Pane.
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If you use multiple monitors, sometimes Outlook opens with the pane off-screen. Drag the window to adjust.
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Regularly update Outlook 2013 to avoid glitches.
Final Thoughts
Losing your folder list in Outlook 2013 is usually a simple navigation or view setting issue. Using the View tab, Ctrl + 6, or resetting the navigation pane quickly restores your folders. Once fixed, you’ll have full access to your emails and custom folders again.