Microsoft’s New Outlook for Windows Now Generally Available for Commercial Customers

Published: Aug 02, 2024

Outlook – 5

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Key Takeaways:

  • The new Outlook for Windows includes productivity enhancements such as Copilot integration, real-time collaboration with Loop components, and new meeting management options.
  • Some key features from the classic version, like support for COM add-ins, are not yet available in the new Outlook for Windows.
  • Microsoft plans to replace the classic Outlook app with the new version by 2029.

Microsoft’s new web-based Outlook for Windows client is now generally available for commercial customers. This new app is still an opt-in experience that users can seamlessly enable within the classic Outlook desktop application.

Microsoft launched the new Outlook for Windows in public preview in May 2022. This version includes Copilot capabilities, which are also available in classic Outlook, allowing users to draft emails, schedule meetings, and summarize recent conversations. Organizations need to pay $30 per user per month in addition to a Microsoft 365 commercial subscription to access the Copilot AI assistant in the new Outlook for Windows. Moreover, users can pin emails at the top of their inbox and drag emails to MY Day to convert them into tasks.

“We’ve taken the familiarity and reliability of classic Outlook and improved it with a modern architecture that reduces device-resource consumption and drastically shortens the time required to deliver fixes and new capabilities to just weeks. This helps you spend less time resolving issues thanks to automatic updates that apply as soon as Outlook is opened,” Microsoft explained.

Microsoft's New Outlook for Windows Now Generally Available for Commercial Customers
Ask Copilot to draft an email or summarize recent emails (Image Credits: Microsoft)

In the new Outlook for Windows, Microsoft has introduced an RSVP option that lets users stay updated on Teams meetings without participating. It also supports real-time collaboration with Loop components, which can be shared across Outlook emails, calendar events, and Teams chats.

Is the new Outlook for Windows ready for GA?

It’s important to note that several key features from the classic version are still missing in the new Outlook for Windows. Currently, the app doesn’t support Exchange Server, COM add-ins, shared folders, Offline mode, folder reordering, or multiple email profiles. Microsoft plans to add S/MIME and PST support in September 2024 and March 2025, respectively.

Microsoft eventually plans to replace the classic Outlook app with the new version of Outlook for Windows, but this transition isn’t happening immediately. Currently, the new Outlook is an opt-in experience, allowing users to toggle between the classic and new versions. In the coming months, Microsoft will make the new Outlook for Windows the default (opt-out) experience for new customers.

Microsoft urges IT Admins to prepare for migrations

Microsoft will continue to support the classic Outlook for Windows until at least 2029. This decision provides organizations with a significant amount of time to prepare their migration plans. Microsoft will offer a 12-month advance notice before initiating any forced migrations in managed environments.

The new Outlook for Windows will replace the built-in Mail and Calendar apps on Windows 11 and Windows 10 by the end of the year. It will come pre-installed as the default email and calendar experience on PCs running Windows 11 version 24H2.

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