Microsoft 365 Will Automatically Switch to New Outlook Starting January 6th
On January 6th, 2025, all Microsoft 365 Business Standard and Premium users will be automatically switched from Classic Outlook for Windows to New Outlook for Windows. This transition is part of Microsoft’s efforts to offer users a more modern experience and boost productivity with new features.
Don’t worry if you’re not quite ready for this change—you will have the option to revert to Classic Outlook if you prefer. Here’s what to expect and what you can do to prepare.
What’s New in New Outlook for Windows?
Microsoft’s New Outlook brings several updates designed to enhance productivity and modernise your email experience.
Copilot Integration
New Outlook now includes Copilot, Microsoft’s AI assistant, to help with drafting emails, organising tasks, and even summarising threads.
Improved Interface
The updated look offers a more streamlined, responsive design, making it easier to navigate your inbox and manage your communications.
Performance Enhancements
Expect better speed, stability, and performance for faster email management, allowing you to work more efficiently.
However, it’s important to note that some features are different or missing in New Outlook. Notably, the unified inbox option is unavailable, which may impact users managing multiple accounts in a single view.
How to Revert Back to Classic Outlook (If You Prefer)
If New Outlook doesn’t meet your needs, you can easily revert to Classic Outlook. Here’s how:
- In New Outlook, go to Settings > Switch Back to Classic Outlook.
- Follow the prompts, and your app will reload in the Classic version.
Tip: If you switch back before January 6th, Microsoft will respect your choice and won’t try to switch you again during this rollout. However, you may be prompted to switch in future updates.
What’s Stopping Some Users from Switching?
For users who manage multiple accounts, like many of our clients, Classic Outlook still offers unique advantages, especially for viewing all accounts in one place. The absence of a unified inbox in New Outlook can be a significant drawback for those who prefer to manage their communications from a single, consolidated view.
Learn More with Our Video Guide
We recommend watching a video created by Scott Brant on how to use the new Outlook, which can be found by clicking here. Here’s what he covers:
Video Timings:
- 00:00 Introduction
- 01:15 Getting Setup in the New Microsoft Outlook
- 01:33 Changing the Outlook Ribbon Bar
- 02:05 Changing the Outlook Conversation View for Emails
- 02:47 Changing the Density of Outlook
- 03:23 Turning off Focused Mode in Outlook
- 04:13 Opening Outlook Email Replies in a New Window
- 05:14 Improving Email Management in the New Outlook
- 05:32 How to Pin Emails in the New Outlook
- 06:11 How to Use the New Categories in the New Outlook
- 09:19 Improve Calendar and Meeting Management in the New Outlook
- 09:37 How to Use Drag and Drop for New Meetings in Outlook
- 10:38 How to Set a Meeting as an In-Person Event
- 11:08 How to Schedule Meetings Use FindTime and Scheduling Polls
- 12:28 Integrating other Microsoft 365 Apps in the New Outlook
- 12:41 How to Share Email to Microsoft Teams in the New Outlook
- 13:47 How to Manage Tasks with Microsoft To Do in the New Outlook using Microsoft To Do
- 16:02 How to Access, Create and Edit OneDrive Files in the New Outlook
- 17:14 Summary & Wrap-Up
Stay tuned for more updates and make sure your team is prepared for this transition. Embrace the new features and enhancements to maximise your productivity and streamline your email management.
We hope this guide helps you navigate the upcoming changes with ease. For more information or assistance, feel free to reach out to our support team or you’ll find all the new Outlook Videos in our Flo E-Learning Portal which can be found here.
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