Microsoft Outlook has been a cornerstone of personal and professional communication for decades. With the latest update of Office 2021, users have the option to experience both the classic Outlook and the new, revamped Outlook for Windows. This blog post dives deep into comparing the features, usability, and improvements between these two versions, helping you make an informed decision about which version suits your needs best.
Evolution of Outlook: Classic vs. New
Classic Outlook: A Reliable Companion
The classic Outlook has long been a trusted tool for managing emails, calendars, and contacts. Its robust features, such as multiple mail profiles, offline support, and extensive customizability, have made it a favourite among users who need a dependable email client.
New Outlook: Modern and Simplified
The new Outlook for Windows brings a fresh, modern design coupled with innovative features and Microsoft Copilot-assisted capabilities. Aimed at enhancing productivity, the new Outlook offers a simplified interface, intelligent email management, and seamless integration with other Microsoft 365 services.
Feature Comparison
Let’s delve into the key features that differentiate classic Outlook from the new Outlook, providing you with a clear understanding of what each version offers.
Account Support
| Feature | Classic Outlook | New Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| Work or school account (Office 365 / Entra ID) | Available | Available |
| Microsoft accounts (Outlook.com, Hotmail.com) | Available | Available |
| Gmail | Available | Available |
| iCloud | Available | Available |
| Yahoo | Available | Available |
| IMAP | Available | Available |
| POP | Available | Available |
| Exchange (on-prem and on-prem ADFS) | Available | Under investigation |
| Multiple mail profiles | Available | Upcoming |
| Shared mailbox / shared folders | Available | Upcoming |
| Shared mailbox – Archive | Available | Upcoming |
| Shared mailbox – Delegate access | Available | Partially available |
Calendar Features
| Feature | Classic Outlook | New Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| 3-day calendar view | Available | Available |
| Add attendees as optional | Available | Available |
| Category colors | Available | Available |
| Delegate access | Available | Upcoming |
| Edit this and all following events in a series | Not supported | Available |
| In-person events | Not supported | Available |
| Group calendars | Available | Available |
| Meeting insights | Partially available | Available |
| Meetings to be always online (Zoom, Webex, etc.) | Available | Available |
| My Day / To-do bar | Available | Available |
| Offline support | Available | Upcoming |
| Quick creation of events | Available | Available |
| Preserve declined meetings | Not supported | Available |
| Save meeting as a draft | Available | Available |
| Sensitivity labels with Microsoft Information Protection on events | Available | Available |
| Schedule View | Available | Investigating |
| Shortened meetings (Outlook preferences and service settings) | Available | Available |
| Show as working elsewhere | Available | Available |
Mail Features
| Feature | Classic Outlook | New Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| Block sender | Available | Available |
| Continuous access evaluation | Available | Available |
| Data Loss Prevention (DLP) | Available | Partially Available |
| Mandatory labeling | Available | Available |
| Report phishing or junk | Available | Available |
| Spam reporting, phishing, and smart alert improvements (1.14 API set) | Upcoming | Upcoming |
| Sensitivity labels | Available | Available |
| S/MIME | Available | Upcoming |
Extensibility
| Feature | Classic Outlook | New Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| COM add-ins | Available | Not supported |
| Content forms | Available | Not supported |
| Every meeting online for 3rd-party providers | Available | Available |
| Web add-ins | Available | Available |
| Spam reporting, phishing, and smart alert improvements (1.14 API set) | Upcoming | Upcoming |
| Web add-ins support in primary Entra (work or school) accounts | Available | Available |
| Web add-ins support in primary Microsoft accounts (personal accounts) | Available | Available |
| Web add-ins support in secondary accounts | Available | Under investigation |
| Web add-ins support in 3rd-party accounts (such as Gmail, Yahoo, iCloud, etc.) | Not supported | Not supported |
Experience the New Outlook: Key Features and Enhancements
Seamless Transition and Customization
Switching to the new Outlook is straightforward. If your account is supported, you’ll see a toggle in the upper right corner of your current Outlook. This enables you to download and start using the new app, with an option to import your settings from the classic Outlook. Customization options are plentiful, allowing you to tailor the experience to your preferences.
Enhanced Productivity Tools
Pinning Emails
The new Outlook allows you to pin important emails to the top of your inbox. This feature ensures that crucial messages remain easily accessible, eliminating the need to search for them repeatedly.
Email Snooze
Sometimes, emails arrive at inconvenient times. With the snooze feature, you can schedule a time for the email to reappear in your inbox, ensuring you handle it at the right moment.
Scheduled Send
In today’s global work environment, timing is everything. The new Outlook lets you schedule emails to be sent at a specific time, avoiding disruptions during off-hours for your recipients.
Improved Calendar and Contacts Management
In-Person and Online Meetings
The new Outlook supports both in-person and online meeting scheduling, integrating seamlessly with tools like Zoom and Webex. This flexibility caters to hybrid work environments, where meetings may need to switch between virtual and physical formats.
Delegate Access and Group Calendars
While full delegate access is still upcoming, the new Outlook already supports group calendars, making it easier to manage team schedules and collaboration.
Microsoft Copilot Integration
One of the standout features of the new Outlook is the integration of Microsoft Copilot. This AI-powered assistant helps automate routine tasks, provides intelligent email suggestions, and enhances overall productivity.
Feedback and Future Updates
Microsoft is actively seeking user feedback to continuously improve the new Outlook. Users are encouraged to use the in-app “Help > Give Feedback” link to share their thoughts and suggestions. This collaborative approach ensures that the new Outlook evolves based on real user experiences and needs.
Conclusion
Both the classic and new Outlook for Windows offer robust features tailored to different user preferences and requirements. The classic Outlook remains a reliable and comprehensive tool, while the new Outlook introduces modern enhancements aimed at improving productivity and user experience.
We invite you to try out the new Outlook and share your thoughts. How do you find the new features? Does the modern design enhance your workflow? Let us know what you think!
Feel free to switch between the classic and new Outlook to find the perfect fit for your email and calendar management needs. The future of email communication is here, and it’s exciting to see how it evolves with user feedback and technological advancements.
What do you think of the game shown? Share your experiences and feedback with us.