Share via

How do I connect to a shared Outlook Folder

Abbott, Peter 0 Reputation points
2026-06-18T13:14:17.9+00:00

If another user has set an Outlook folder for me to share, How do I connect to that shared folder?

Outlook | Windows | Classic Outlook for Windows | For business

2 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Vergil-V 14,765 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-06-18T13:52:35.4233333+00:00

    Hi Abbott, Peter

    Based on my research, in classic Outlook the shared folder may take some time before it is automatically synchronized and becomes visible. 

    image

    In the meantime, you may try adding it manually by following these steps: 

    1. Go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings 
    2. Select your account > Change > More Settings > Advanced 
    3. Choose Add > enter the email address of the shared mailbox > OK 

    Once completed, the shared folder should appear in your folder list. 

    In addition, I would kindly suggest confirming that the mailbox owner has granted the appropriate permissions. The shared folder needs to be enabled both at the mailbox level and within the folder permissions, as described in the following guide: Share and access another person's mailbox or folder in Outlook | Microsoft Support 

    image

    I hope this brings some helpful clarification.

    If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment". 

    Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments

  2. AI answer

    2026-06-18T13:14:40.37+00:00

    To connect to a shared Outlook folder, the folder owner must first share it with appropriate permissions, and then the invitee adds it to Outlook. The exact steps depend on the Outlook client.

    Below are the supported methods from the provided context.

    New Outlook (for Windows)

    1. Owner: Share the folder or mailbox

    1. In new Outlook, navigate to the folder to share.
    2. Right-click the folder and select Sharing and permissions.
    3. In Permissions for the folder, select + to add a person (if not already listed).
    4. Enter the name or email address of the person to share with, then select Add.
    5. Select that person in the list.
    6. In Permissions, choose a Permission level from the dropdown.
    7. Select OK. An email is sent to the invitee.

    2. Invitee: Add the shared folder or mailbox

    1. In the folder pane, right-click Shared with me.
    2. Select Add shared folder or mailbox.
    3. Enter the email address or name of the person who shared the folder, then select Add.
    4. The person’s name appears under Shared with me. Expand it to see the shared folders.

    To remove it later, right-click the shared folder and select Remove shared folder.

    Outlook on the web

    1. Owner: Share the folder or mailbox

    1. In Outlook on the web, navigate to the folder to share.
    2. Right-click the folder and select Sharing and permissions.
    3. In Permissions for the folder, select + to add a person (if needed).
    4. Enter the name or email address of the person to share with, then select Add.
    5. Select that person in the list.
    6. In Permissions, choose the Permission level.
    7. Select OK. An email is sent to the invitee.

    2. Invitee: Add the shared folder or mailbox

    1. In the folder pane, right-click Shared with me.
    2. Select Add shared folder or mailbox.
    3. Enter the email address or name of the person who shared the folder, then select Add.
    4. The person’s name appears under Shared with me. Expand it to see the shared folders.

    To remove it later, right-click the shared folder and select Remove shared folder.

    Outlook for Mac (shared or delegated mailbox)

    If the shared folder is part of a shared or delegated mailbox and the account is used on a Mac:

    1. On the Tools menu, select Accounts, then select the account that has access.
    2. Select Delegation and Sharing.
    3. Go to the Shared With Me tab.
    4. Select + to add a shared or delegated mailbox.
      • Alternatively: File > Open > Shared Mailbox.

    If full access permission exists to a shared mailbox:

    1. On the Tools menu, select Accounts.
    2. Select + to add an additional Exchange account.
    3. In E-mail address, enter the shared mailbox address.
    4. Under Authentication, enter own credentials.

    The shared mailbox and its folders (including Inbox, Sent Items, etc.) will then appear in the folder list according to the permissions granted.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

    Was this answer helpful?

Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.