New Outlook for Windows Now Available to Download on the Microsoft Store

Key takeaways:

• Microsoft’s new web-based Outlook for Windows client is now available on the Microsoft Store for Windows 11 devices. However, it’s still in preview for work and school accounts.
• The new Outlook for Windows app is still missing support for an offline mode, Outlook data (.pst) files, COM add-ins, and other features.
• Microsoft has added new IT controls that let administrators manage the new Outlook for Windows app to align with their organization’s specific requirements.

Microsoft has announced that its new web-based Outlook for Windows client is now generally available for consumers. The new app is also available to download on the Microsoft Store for commercial customers, and it will be shipped in tomorrow’s optional update, as well as Windows 11 version 23H2.

In a separate blog post for IT admins, Microsoft explained that users will be able to recognize the new Outlook for Windows through a refreshed icon. The company will remove the “PRE” label, though it’s still in preview for both enterprise and education customers. Microsoft encourages organizations to test the new Outlook for Windows app and provide their feedback until it hits general availability.

“The new Outlook for Windows is enterprise-ready and it brings together the speed of web development with the reliability of a desktop app. We recommend organizations to start or keep testing the new Outlook for Windows so they can provide feedback to help us prioritize our development work,” the Outlook team explained.

The new Outlook for Windows lets users sign into multiple accounts from different email service providers. It’s also designed to provide a consistent experience and minimize policy management, support calls, as well as training costs. It’s important to note that the app is still missing several key features, including support for an offline mode, Outlook data (.pst) files, COM add-ins, and folder reordering.

In June, Microsoft announced that it’s killing off the classic Universal Windows Platform (UWP) Mail and Calendar apps in Windows 11 next year. The new Outlook will ship with all new devices (running Windows 11 version 23H2 or higher) as the default mailbox experience. However, Mail and Calendar apps will be available in the Microsoft Store until the end of 2024.

IT controls to block new Outlook for Windows client

Microsoft notes that IT admins will be able to use commercial controls to block the new Outlook for Windows client in their tenants. It’s possible to configure policies to disable the toggle switch from appearing in the existing Outlook desktop application. Administrators can also use policies to prevent employees from adding their corporate accounts to the new Outlook for Windows.

Furthermore, IT admins can use PowerShell commands to remove the new Outlook installed on their organizations’ devices. Microsoft has also released new management capabilities for the new Outlook for Windows that are available in Administrative Template files (build 16.0.5401.1000).