New preview version of Outlook for Windows could soon replace Windows Mail

Earlier this year, Microsoft released a preview of a completely redesigned Outlook client for Windows. It was a step towards what Microsoft had been working on for some time – a unified Outlook client for all of its platforms, based on a web-based design. Today, Microsoft is taking that goal a step further by releasing an updated preview of the new Outlook client, available to all Office Insiders in the Beta and Current channels.

Outlook for Windows users enrolled in the Office Insider Program will be able to try the new app by clicking the “Try the new Outlook”toggle in the upper right corner of the app window; click the switch again to return to the old Outlook app. Microsoft says switching between the two will result in “no data or email loss.”

The Outlook app will also eventually replace the free built-in Mail and Calendar apps that come preinstalled with Windows. Microsoft will make a similar switch available to Windows Insiders “in the coming weeks.”

Since the initial preview version of Outlook was released in May, Microsoft has added Microsoft account support, a condensed and simplified ribbon interface, adjustable column widths for calendars, and more. But the client is still missing some features that should be a satisfying replacement for the built-in Mail and Calendar apps, including support for third-party email clients via IMAP, support for more than one email account, ICS calendar support. files and the ability to work offline.

The new Outlook app will be available to all Office and Windows users running at least Windows 10 version 1809, which means the Outlook app will replace the built-in Mail and Calendar apps in both Windows 10 and Windows 11 when it’s ready to send. Both apps received minor updates last year to bring them in line with Windows 11’s redesigned user interface, but otherwise the apps haven’t received major updates since Windows 10.

Image listing from Microsoft