How to Use Windows Mail Minimizer to Save Screen Space

How to use Windows Mail (or Outlook) minimizer to save screen space

Quick steps

1. Collapse the navigation/folder pane

   • Windows Mail: click the “≡” or Expand/Collapse button at the top of the left pane.
   • Outlook (classic): View → Folder Pane → Minimized (or Off).

2. Hide or resize the reading pane

   • Mail app: drag the divider between message list and reading pane left/right or click the reading-pane control to choose Off or Bottom.
   • Outlook: View → Reading Pane → Right / Bottom / Off (select Off to maximize list).

3. Use compact message/list view

   • Outlook: View → Change View → Compact.
   • New Outlook/web: Settings (gear) → Mail → Layout → choose smaller Text size and spacing.

4. Open messages in a separate window when you need more space

   • Mail: double-click a message or press Ctrl+O.
   • Outlook: double-click message to pop out into its own window.

5. Minimize to system tray (for third-party tools)

   • Windows doesn’t natively minimize Mail/Outlook to tray. Use a trusted utility (e.g., Actual Window Minimizer) to send the app to the system tray or an on-screen icon.

Tips

• Resize panes by dragging dividers; apps remember layout per window size.
• Increase display scaling only if text is too small (Settings → Display → Scale & layout).
• Use keyboard shortcuts: Alt+V then press the key for Folder/Reading Pane in Outlook, or Ctrl+N / Ctrl+O to open/compose in new window.

If you want, I can produce step-by-step instructions for your exact app and Windows version (Mail app, Outlook for Windows, or Outlook web).