Microsoft is gearing up to release an update that will introduce the new Outlook to Windows 10 PCs. While not everyone will welcome this change with open arms, there’s no option to prevent its installation. That said, Microsoft’s support documentation provides instructions on how to remove the app if desired.
In just a few weeks, the new Outlook will be automatically added to your Windows 10 PC. It will be part of an optional Windows 10 update set for release on January 28, 2025. Following that, it will become part of the broader monthly security update rolling out on February 11, 2025.
For now, this update won’t phase out the classic version of Outlook on PCs. Users will still have the option to run both the new and classic Outlook alongside each other. Microsoft does intend to eventually replace the classic version, but that’s a plan for the future.
The new Outlook isn’t just competing with its classic counterpart. It also aims to take over from the Mail & Calendar app, though many users feel it doesn’t quite hit the mark in that department.
It’s worth noting that there are mixed feelings about this change. The new Outlook is designed to step in for the Mail & Calendar app, which has been a staple of Windows systems for quite some time. While the Mail & Calendar app fits naturally within the Windows ecosystem, the new Outlook is a web app, which has left some users less than impressed.
Generally speaking, the new Outlook performs adequately. However, as a non-native application, it lacks some features present in Mail & Calendar and doesn’t quite look like a typical Windows application. Senior Editor Zac Bowden didn’t mince words in his review, criticizing its user interface and performance compared to other email clients.
“I honestly believe the new Outlook for Windows is the poorest built-in OS email client available today. Samsung Email, Gmail, and Apple Mail all surpass it. Why? Because they utilize native UI frameworks that blend seamlessly with their OS environments,” Bowden remarked.
Bowden’s views reflect a broader sentiment I’ve observed across various discussion forums. Without rehashing his March arguments, in essence, the app looks less appealing and lacks the efficiency and features that made Mail & Calendar a favorite among users.
It’s a shame to see Microsoft pushing the new Outlook as a replacement for a tried and tested app like Mail & Calendar, especially when the latter has consistently delivered better performance over the years.
