Thread: Discontinue automatically marking emails as Read

While browsing through new messages using the arrow keys, Outlook immediately marks the emails as read, even though you aren't done with them. With its default setting in place. the application tags new messages as read even if the user is only clicking through them. But this behavior can easily be changed. Go to 'Tools I Options' and switch to the 'Other' tab. Click the 'Reading Pane' button under the 'Reading Pane' panel and remove the check mark in front of 'Mark item as read when selection changes' in the succeeding dialog box. Confirm your changes and exit the box by clicking OK'. From now on, Outlook will change the status of a new message only when you open and read it with a double click or by pressing [Enter!. or if you right-click on it and select 'Mark as read' in the context menu.