If you’re a fan of Microsoft’s simplistic Windows Mail and Calendar app I have bad news for you.
Microsoft has announced that it’s retiring the Mail and Calendar app in favour of the new Outlook for Windows beginning in 2024.
The Mail and Calendar app will still be available to download until the end of 2024, but as of January all new Windows 11 devices will ship with the new Outlook for Windows as the default mailbox app.
I discovered this when I got a message in the Windows Mail app telling me “In 2024 Outlook is replacing Windows Mail and Calendar.” There was a link for more info and a button to “Try the new Outlook.”
After clicking the button I was brought to a pop-up that said “Let’s make Outlook familiar” with an option to import my settings from the Mail and Calendar app (I could also skip this if I wanted to start fresh).
Once my settings were imported over, the new Outlook for Windows was running. In typical Microsoft fashion, it was nothing special, felt cluttered and I immediately wanted to stop using it.
Thankfully there is a toggle switch in the top-right that allows you to turn off “New Outlook.” This brings up a survey asking you why you’re switching back before returning you to the Windows Mail app.
Given the option, I think I’ll be holding out until the last possible day to make the switch to the new Outlook for Windows. In the meantime I’ll be looking for a new mailbox app (or I’ll just take advantage of Apple’s back to school sale and get myself a MacBook).
Are you a fan of the Windows Mail and Calendar app? Will you switch to the new Outlook for Windows? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Photo credit: Microsoft