Blog Post

Outlook Blog
3 MIN READ

Things to look forward to in the new Outlook for Windows

caithart's avatar
caithart
Icon for Microsoft rankMicrosoft
Nov 08, 2023

Editor's note 6/17/24: Updated items to reflect the latest timing and links. This blog won't be updated starting 6/17, for the most updated list please visit https://aka.ms/newoutlookforwindows or to see a feature comparison between new and classic Outlook go to https://aka.ms/newOutlookFeatureComparison 

Editor's note 5/17/24: Updated items to reflect the latest timing and links to our roadmap - For an even more complete list and up to date information, please go to our public roadmap - https://aka.ms/newoutlookforwindows 

Editor's note 2/27/24: We have updated the "things we have in the works" list to reflect latest timing and links to our roadmap.

 

After our recent announcement about the release of the new Outlook on Windows 11, we have received many questions about features that are coming to the new app. The new Outlook for Windows is the future for both the Mail and Calendar apps in Windows and the classic Outlook for Windows. There is a lot of excitement and expectation - so naturally, we have a list of top features from those experiences that we plan to bring over. 

 

The place to follow all upcoming features and when they are releasing is the Microsoft 365 roadmap, and as we get closer to precise feature roll out dates will be published on that roadmap. The following is a list of some of the things that we are working on in the next year, some of which are already on the horizon and may be on that roadmap list.

 

Some of the many things we have in the works 

 

We continue to make feature improvements across the board and are always monitoring feedback, so please continue to try the new experience and let us know what you hope to see next. Feedback is under the Help tab in the ribbon, or you can submit your thoughts if you toggle back to the classic Outlook. 

 

In addition to features and capabilities, we also hear and highly value feedback about performance and the overall experience. We are deeply invested across our teams in dedicated and ongoing performance improvements, ranging from focused optimizations to larger platform investments. We are also investing in several visual and user-experience improvements. 

 

Recent improvements and things to try in the new Outlook 

  • Gmail, Yahoo, iCloud, and IMAP account support 
  • ICS file support 
  • Message list selection improvements 
  • Quick steps 
  • Sort by sender or subject line 
  • Scheduling across different time zones 
  • Table styling improvements 
  • Folder list experience improvements 
  • Search folders (unread mail, flagged, or sent directly to me) 
  • Reminders window 
  • Find related messages (from this sender, in this conversation) 

 

Are there features that you’re expecting that you don’t see above? We’d love to know more. Please leave them in the comments below! 

Thank you!  

Updated Jun 17, 2024
Version 5.0
caithart's avatar
Icon for Microsoft rankMicrosoft
Joined September 28, 2018
View Profile
Outlook Blog
Welcome to the Outlook Blog! Learn best practices, news, and trends and directly from the Outlook team.
  • PASAML's avatar
    PASAML
    Copper Contributor
    Jan 18, 2025

    No, there is not a lot of 'excitement' about the new 'Outlook'!  There is a lot of unhappy users because the new uOtlook is not nearly as capable and user-friendly as the Outlook Classic.  Many of us with archived '.pst' files fro the 'pop' mail are going to be between a rock and a hard place getting access to them.  This move is a serious set-back for the Outlook community!

  • Vivol's avatar
    Vivol
    Copper Contributor
    Dec 11, 2024

    Per my understanding, all COM support and add-on support is removed in New Outlook. Support is needed for VBA (COM) and scripting to manipulate emails. Use case: database and automation integrations. We automate many of our practices this way and manually drafting the mail introduces risk. The ability to use code to automate emails is missing and will cause significant disruption. 

    • thx1200's avatar
      thx1200
      Bronze Contributor
      Dec 11, 2024

      If MS offered a true forward path from COM/VBA/VSTO plugins, even if it means significant recoding, it would solve a lot of their issues.  But the new JS plugin model only does about 10% of what you could do with COM/VSTO.  And the new UI options, especially, are extremely lacking, not to mention the significant dependence of cloud integration, even when doing things "locally" in the plugin.

  • ClarkHartness's avatar
    ClarkHartness
    Copper Contributor
    Nov 26, 2024

    There must be a sustainable working TEMPLATE email capability in NEW before we can even consider move from OLD.

  • ggreindl's avatar
    ggreindl
    Copper Contributor
    Nov 09, 2024

    Hello,

    what about public folders? Our business depends on the use of public folders, they are a vital part of our internal work stream.  I can only add individual folders as favourites where as in the current version of Outlook I can browse through all public folders. I hope this feature will not disappear, because we simply cannot do our work without public folders generally being available as in the current Outlook version. Thanks.

  • jofessler's avatar
    jofessler
    Copper Contributor
    Nov 08, 2024

    Hi, 

    do you have any intent to store the signatures locally again? Would be great for Administrators to roll out

  • Pidji7's avatar
    Pidji7
    Copper Contributor
    Oct 09, 2024

    Sorry for the rant: please fix the many bugs in your various updates before releasing them !
    A maxim: developing your project in agile mode doesn't mean you have to abandon a rigorous approach 😉

  • zimmie67's avatar
    zimmie67
    Brass Contributor
    Oct 04, 2024

    Same concerns as others have expressed:
    No option in an open email message to Move To or Copy To another folder
    No way to CTL-drag and drop to copy appts or other calendar items (have to keep duplicating)

  • Pidji7's avatar
    Pidji7
    Copper Contributor
    Oct 04, 2024

    No voice-reading option, you have to go to classic Outlook. Or copy and paste into Word. Please add it!

    And where's the Support option in Help menu? Is it gone?

  • mateomc's avatar
    mateomc
    Copper Contributor
    Oct 03, 2024

    Quick Steps - bring back the full suite (Reply, New Message, Reply & Delete...)

     

    Save Sent Item to - bring it back!!

  • michaelfrank85's avatar
    michaelfrank85
    Brass Contributor
    Sep 25, 2024

    Hi,
    Unlike some on here, I personally really like the new Outlook.

    But it would be nice to get a hint of parity with classic Outlook when talking about GPO / ADMX or Intune policies.

    For example, I have clients who need to shorten meetings or show week numbers in the calendar and these settings are not respected in the new client.

     

    It would be helpful to know if parity is something that is being worked on at all, or if it is not a priority?

    Kind regards