New look for Microsoft Outlook

Despite huge growth in Microsoft Teams, and other comms tools like Engage (formerly Yammer), WhatsApp and shouting across the office, email is still holding its position as the go-to communication tool.

Microsoft has recently updated Outlook, its venerable email client, with a cleaner and more modern style that brings it in line with Windows 11. It’s not just about looking more attractive, new Outlook brings with it features that aim to improve usability and productivity.

When is this happening?

Currently users have a choice to move over to the new Outlook or stick with the ‘classic’ look. Microsoft will start enforcing new Outlook in its roll out from January 2025 throughout the year. If you are a Strident customer and do not wish to have this update, then please speak to us as soon as possible.

Support has ended for Windows Mail and Calendar

Support for Windows Mail, Calendar, and People ended on 31 December 2024, and you can no longer able to send and receive emails or events using Windows Mail and Calendar. Any local emails, calendar events, and contacts stored in Mail, Calendar, and People can still be exported to Outlook.

New features

A new navigation bar on the left lets you access email, calendar, contacts, tasks, OneDrive and other apps from within Outlook. A consolidated ‘Settings’ section lets you control all of these features while a ‘My Day’ panel gives you an easy overview of what you have planned.

New Outlook can help you will write better emails with AI built in, and remind you to follow up on important conversations. You can also categorise, pin and snooze emails more easily.

Unify all your email and calendar accounts in one place and access them all from one unified inbox. All email and calendars can then be easily searched with new Outlook’s powerful search facility.

Finally, Microsoft's security helps keep your emails and documents safe from phishing and scams. This is not a replacement for antivirus software but another useful tool in your security arsenal.

To find out more about Microsoft Outlook and the Microsoft 365 suite of business tool, then please get in touch here.