Have a New Outlook on your Email Client

Outlook 98→2025: We’ve survived change for 27 years, what’s the difference this time?

New Outlook Is Here — And It's Not the End of the World… Yet

You may have already come across this — Microsoft is actively swapping over its users to ‘New Outlook’. How fun…

New Outlook is essentially a desktop version of its web interface. If you’ve ever used outlook.live.com or outlook.office.com, this “New” experience is ‘ Current’ Outlook to you. This is the equivalent of Microsoft’s ‘Gmail’.

But for those who’ve been using the desktop app for longer than they care to admit - it can be jarring & possibly even business breaking. Unfortunately turning it off isn’t a long-term solution.

“Can I Just Go Back To Old Oulook?”

Yes… for now. But “New Outlook” might just start up instead next time you open Outlook.

Microsoft is still giving some users the toggle to switch back to Classic Outlook. But don’t expect that toggle to last forever. Like Windows 10 ending in October (Make Sure Your Business is Windows 11 Ready — Computer Clinic NZ) - Microsoft isn’t playing around. It’s their path forward, whether we like it or not. See more here: Classic Outlook gets an official 'death date' as users are urged to switch | PCWorld

We can use tweaks on your PC to bring back old Outlook, but with an update Microsoft could just undo this and re-enforce New Outlook, like game of cat & mouse with Microsoft being a very big cat!

For managed business users - Yes we can tweak the backend of your M365 system to keep Old Outlook around, but for how long these stick is unknown as well.

What's Actually Changing?

Microsoft is unifying its Outlook experience. That means the desktop app is aligning with the web version — simpler design, fewer moving parts, and more control from Microsoft’s side.

Here are a few of the practical changes:

• Add-ins must now be Microsoft-approved web add-ins (some popular older add-ins won’t work)*

• Certain offline features are limited or removed

• Fewer customisation options

In short, New Outlook is leaner & meaner: More stable & secure, less downtime due to updates, and more consistent across platforms - Windows / Mac / Web / Smartphone App - both iOS & Android.

With Outlook being more stable this will mean less phone calls to your favourite IT provider!

Computer Clinic’s Recommendation

If you’re a straightforward ‘Emailer’ - ie Open Emails & Reply: New Outlook will be fine for use!

But if you’re relying on advanced features, custom add-ins, or legacy integrations*. That’s where you might need some assistance.

We’ll help you:

• Review what may break before you move

• Work with your software vendor(s) to find supported alternatives or update existing plug-ins

• Create a transition plan that works for your team (whether that means adopting New Outlook now, later, or keeping it off as long as possible)

Whether you’re ready to embrace the change, or need to push back strategically — we’ll help you move forward with breaking as little as possible.

*Add-Ins/Legacy Intergrations - This could be business breaking

An example of what we’re talking about!

If your business relies on Outlook extensions to operate, then our recommendation is to open dialogue with the supplier(s) ASAP. These add-ons/legacy integrations could be:

• Finance or job systems that sync with email/calendar

• Custom in-house plugins

• Document management tools (ie sorting Emails into your CRM system)

If this sounds like you, we strongly recommend opening a dialogue with your vendor(s) ASAP. Ask:

• Do they support New Outlook?

• Are they developing a web add-in version?

• Is there a timeline for compatibility?

If there’s no roadmap, you may need to start exploring alternatives now, not when the toggle disappears.