Microsoft Announces Enhanced Outlook for Windows 11: It’s Time to Upgrade

Microsoft has fully rolled out its revamped email client, New Outlook, which is designed atop the popular outlook.com platform. While some users remain hesitant about transitioning, many have opted for the new Windows 11 client. Recently, Microsoft encouraged users to reconsider New Outlook, highlighting substantial enhancements made over the past few months.

As reported by Windows Latest, a recent community post showcases the improvements of the new Outlook in comparison to its predecessor.

Feature Enhancements in New Outlook

While the classic Mail & Calendar app lacked advertisements, New Outlook does include them; however, Microsoft maintains that the updated version offers a more modern experience. The company asserts, “The updated Outlook for Windows is built to meet the needs of modern email, ” and lists numerous features, including Copilot, to make a strong case for users to transition.

Integration of Classic Features with Modern Upgrades

One of Microsoft’s foundational goals is to incorporate traditional Outlook features into New Outlook while introducing improved functionalities. These upgrades include options for mail pinning, customizable themes, colored folders, and more. Additionally, Copilot enhances user efficiency by summarizing lengthy emails and automatically sorting priority messages.

Upcoming Features and Offline Capabilities

Microsoft also teased an imminent newsletter feature, allowing administrators to design and distribute organization-wide newsletters each month effortlessly. This template format aims to streamline the process of creating visually appealing and informative newsletters without relying on third-party tools.

In response to user requests, Microsoft is progressively reinstating offline functions within the Outlook app. Features such as offline search and calendar event management are now available, ensuring that any changes made offline are synchronized once the internet connection is restored.

Add.pst file to new Outlook — Image Courtesy: WindowsLatest.com

PST support, a significant concern for many users, is also on the roadmap, with Windows Latest reporting that Microsoft plans to implement full PST functionality by year-end. New features already include the ability to forward emails as PST and add PST folders to favorites, with more updates anticipated in the coming months.

Transition Feedback: What Are Users Saying?

Despite being a recent introduction, New Outlook has encountered varied reactions from users. Early feedback includes concerns over the new application consuming significantly more memory compared to the classic version and the rising costs associated with Microsoft’s cloud services.

A plethora of complaints exists, emphasizing that it may be beneficial for Microsoft to address user issues directly. Transitioning to a new platform often presents challenges; however, the stakes are higher in an enterprise context. Meanwhile, the classic Outlook remains operational and is expected to be available indefinitely, albeit with fewer features and basic updates.

Source & Images