Outlook – Make it so Outlook does not open the first mail in the inbox

Even though this is an old thread, I just found it because I had a very similar request as the original poster. My solution is (as hinted by another answer) to collapse the group headers by default. When the headers are collapsed, Outlook opens with nothing selected or active in the preview pane. It's not perfect, especially if you don't want to use Groups, but it works for me.

To enable, go to View -> View Settings -> Group By -> and select "All Collapsed" under Expand/collapse defaults.

I have been doing this since Outlook 2000, you do not need to clear the flag.

I create a new rule that moves these distribution list messages to a folder under the inbox (I have a folder for each list). I also have other similar rules for specific groups of users (say everyone from companyabc.com).

When I receive mail for these lists, the message goes into the folder and I do not get the message flag. If mail comes directly into my inbox I get the flag and it does not remove itself until I read the message.

The distribution list folders could fill up with a billion messages, it doesn't change the notification.

Detailed rule creation instructions (Outlook 2010):

1. On the Ribbon, go to the Home tab. Click Rules -> Create Rule. The Create Rule window will open.
2. In the Create Rule window, click Advanced Options. The Rules Wizard will open on the conditions step.
3. Select the applicable conditions to activate the rule. For my distribution lists, I select sent to people or public group.
4. Edit the rule description if necessary. For my distribution lists I click the people or public groups hyperlink and select the distribution list(s).
5. Click Next The Rules Wizard proceeds to the actions step.
6. Select the move it to the xxxxx folder and select a folder in the rules description.
7. Click Next. The Rules Wizard will proceed to the exceptions step. Generally I do not use this.
8. Click Next. The Rules Wizard will proceed to the Finish rule setup step. Specify a name and turn the rule on. You may run it now if you wish as well to test.
9. Click Finish.