Email Evolution: A Comprehensive Look at the New Outlook Experience

Are you curious about the differences between the new Outlook and the classic Outlook? We've put together a guide to help you navigate the changes and discover the exclusive features of the new Outlook.

Interface: The new Outlook retains a familiar layout but introduces some differences. The right sidebar for calendar and tasks in classic Outlook is replaced with a toggle button at the top, splitting into calendar and To Do. Folders are on the left, and email preview is in the middle. The toolbar offers options for a simplified or classic ribbon.

Themes: The new Outlook has a bright interface with two looks – light and dark. While the colour options are limited, you can still customize the appearance to suit your preferences.

Mail Features: The new Outlook brings familiar email functions such as reply, forwarding, and flags, along with some new abilities. You can snooze emails to a later date, pin important messages to the top of your folder, and schedule email sends for later. However, there are some limitations, like rules that can only move messages within your own mailbox.

Calendar: The calendar view is similar, but with a simplified toolbar. The main changes include combining buttons for appointments, meetings, and Teams meetings. The new appointment window allows easy selection of attendees, rooms, or converting it into a Teams meeting.

Add-Ins: A significant change is the lack of support for COM add-ins in the new Outlook. Old plugins won't work, and users need to switch to web add-in versions or find alternatives. Web add-ins used in classic Outlook or Outlook Web will function as usual.

On the Roadmap: Microsoft has plans to enhance the new Outlook, including features like click and drag for messages to folders, support for opening PST files (email archives), and opening email files.

The new Outlook is a work in progress, and Microsoft is expected to add more features. While it may become the default experience in the future, some aspects still need refinement. Users may find themselves toggling between the new and classic Outlook, with shared mailboxes being a consideration.

John Fisher

Meet John Fisher, founder of Westway IT, passionate about helping businesses thrive with technology. With a BSc in Computer Science, he values integrity, education, and quality relationships. Active in The Tech Tribe and CompTIA, John simplifies IT and creates scalable strategies. Connect with him on LinkedIn.