The New Outlook - Q's & Thoughts

[YSLGuru]

Operating system::    Windows 10
Outlook version:     Office365
Email type or host:    Microsoft 365

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OS: Windows 10 64 Bit
OL: Office365 OL

NOTE: I did try several searches on this and got nothing so I apologize if there is already a thread on this.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to minimize the frustrations with having to use the NEW Outlook (that switch in the top right area of Microsoft OL)? I'm not looking to gripe or complain about it as MS's own forums are filled with posts about how bad this thing is. I'm interested in how one can minimize it's pains. We (my company) are having to switch to the New OL not because we want to but because there are some features (I don;t know what exactly) that are only in it so we've been told to switch to it and of course no one want's to because if you have ever tried it you know why. If I can find any way to ease that pain not just for myself but others it would be greatly appreciated.

thanks in advance to all who take time to reply

 

[Diane Poremsky]

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to minimize the frustrations with having to use the NEW Outlook (that switch in the top right area of Microsoft OL)?

Other than hiding the switch on using classic Outlook until they force it from you? (In 2 - 5 years.)

Some of the new features are only going in new Outlook - one was supposed to be Copilot but they relented and added it to classic. The new working locations can be set in it, although only changed on the fly in new outlook. Custom views are not supported - especially in changing the fields. Custom forms are not supported - I have a lot of clients who use custom contact forms.

Com add-ins and vba don't work in it - but that is probably not an issue for the org.


I have this link handy - and can't find the other links but will look for them.

New and classic Outlook for Windows feature comparison - Microsoft Support

I'm not looking to gripe or complain about it as MS's own forums are filled with posts about how bad this thing is.

They have good reason to gripe, IMHO. It's fine for anyone using outlook.com or Microsoft 365 work or school who uses Outlook on the web - its the same interface.

It doesn't handle IMAP all that well IMHO, because the cloud servers sync with the mailbox and the app syncs with the cloud servers. Actually somewhat shocked no security conspiracists are raising an issue with Microsoft having mail for millions more uses on their servers. (I don't think it will be insecure; my main complaint is more about the environmental cost of more data centers to copy and store mailboxes on another server needlessly.)

 

[YSLGuru]

Other than hiding the switch on using classic Outlook until they force it from you? (In 2 - 5 years.)

Some of the new features are only going in new Outlook - one was supposed to be Copilot but they relented and added it to classic. The new working locations can be set in it, although only changed on the fly in new outlook. Custom views are not supported - especially in changing the fields. Custom forms are not supported - I have a lot of clients who use custom contact forms.

Com add-ins and vba don't work in it - but that is probably not an issue for the org.


I have this link handy - and can't find the other links but will look for them.

New and classic Outlook for Windows feature comparison - Microsoft Support




They have good reason to gripe, IMHO. It's fine for anyone using outlook.com or Microsoft 365 work or school who uses Outlook on the web - its the same interface.

It doesn't handle IMAP all that well IMHO, because the cloud servers sync with the mailbox and the app syncs with the cloud servers. Actually somewhat shocked no security conspiracists are raising an issue with Microsoft having mail for millions more uses on their servers. (I don't think it will be insecure; my main complaint is more about the environmental cost of more data centers to copy and store mailboxes on another server needlessly.)

WOW. So what kind of future do you see for the clients using all these customizations like forms? If MS remains determined on this new OL Push how are those clients using all that was once available in OL going to do?

Thanks Diane.

 

[Diane Poremsky]

They have 5 years to figure it out - and the software won't stop working when support ends, but people with Microsoft 365 mailboxes may be forced to stop using outlook - Microsoft usually blocks older clients from Exchange access.

I'm really hoping it goes the way of the OneNote attempt to switch to an app a few years ago - I think that experiment lasted 2 years before they gave up and went back the Win32 app. They can keep the new Outlook app for people who like Outlook on the web and for Windows Mail (although it's not a good option for IMAP IMHO) since it's not a lot of extra work to update it since it uses the same scripts as Outlook on the web.

What I'm seeing from admins is mixed - many like it, although not happy about how policies are managed and applied. For a large % of their users, it is good enough and many already use Outlook on the web. But it has a lot of limitations for power users.

 

[YSLGuru]

They have 5 years to figure it out - and the software won't stop working when support ends, but people with Microsoft 365 mailboxes may be forced to stop using outlook - Microsoft usually blocks older clients from Exchange access.

I'm really hoping it goes the way of the OneNote attempt to switch to an app a few years ago - I think that experiment lasted 2 years before they gave up and went back the Win32 app. They can keep the new Outlook app for people who like Outlook on the web and for Windows Mail (although it's not a good option for IMAP IMHO) since it's not a lot of extra work to update it since it uses the same scripts as Outlook on the web.

What I'm seeing from admins is mixed - many like it, although not happy about how policies are managed and applied. For a large % of their users, it is good enough and many already use Outlook on the web. But it has a lot of limitations for power users.

It's interesting you say that about admins because 2 of the 3 IT guys at my office love it and I can't understand how. Our own CTO doesn't like it and yet these guys do. If the new OL makes management of mail easier on them than I can see why they'd like it. I was speculating that the existing OL due to age and decades of updates and changes had reached a point where it just can't be expanded upon any more without a ground up re-do which will take time, years, and instead of waiting till then they decided to start coercing users into it by placing new functionality in the new OL only especially anything that Organizations would really need. I don't now what that is at our company but I verified it's not co-pilot but something else. I hope you are a prophet in this case and within the 5 years they do end up doing what's really best for users and not what may be easiest for Mgt.

Thanks Diane

 

[Diane Poremsky]

It's interesting you say that about admins because 2 of the 3 IT guys at my office love it and I can't understand how.

I agree with you - its crap IMHO but I think its the management of it. Probably 90% of the users use 20% of the features - and those features are mostly in new Outlook.

Heck, even some people on the Outlook teams aren't aware of all the features in it. Maybe 10 years ago I was out to the Microsoft campus and talking with the product team. They had a new program manager, fairly young guy - I'm talking with him and 2 devs who've been around for a long time. I mention the Journal. The PM had no idea Outlook had the capability - it was after most of the journal was deprecated but even so, as PM I'd expect a little knowledge of the past and present. He was not around long... they had a new PM in less than a year.

 

[Diane Poremsky]

Oh.. and the reason I've heard for the new Outlook is that they can use the react scripts that run OWA, so one team can do both. It's basically a time and resource saver - and it means all outlooks basically have the same features, so users don't need to learn something new.

Outlook started out as an Exchange feature then moved to office product where it was the "red-headed step child" and a few years ago, moved back to Exchange. It's like no one wants to own it.

 

[YSLGuru]

I agree with you - its crap IMHO but I think its the management of it. Probably 90% of the users use 20% of the features - and those features are mostly in new Outlook.

Heck, even some people on the Outlook teams aren't aware of all the features in it. Maybe 10 years ago I was out to the Microsoft campus and talking with the product team. They had a new program manager, fairly young guy - I'm talking with him and 2 devs who've been around for a long time. I mention the Journal. The PM had no idea Outlook had the capability - it was after most of the journal was deprecated but even so, as PM I'd expect a little knowledge of the past and present. He was not around long... they had a new PM in less than a year.

"..even some people on the Outlook teams aren't aware of all the features in it..."

With the depth and breadth of OL since it's inception this doesn't surprise me. It's rare and probably going to become more so, that folks like yourself and Woody at askwoody.com are left who still hold as broad and deep a knowledge of Office products often more so then the MS staff themselves. I used to use Lipstick and AskWoody all the time back when Office 2013 was the current version. Since I've been most a SQL guy but every now and then I still have to find out something about OL or Excel or some other office app and my first stop is never Microsoft's own help simply because I find more and better help at non-MS affiliated sites & forums. In fact when I had this Q initially I was thinking I hope that OL Forum I use to frequent is sty ill active; may have even said a quiet prayer first before searching.

Thanks

 

[YSLGuru]

Oh.. and the reason I've heard for the new Outlook is that they can use the react scripts that run OWA, so one team can do both. It's basically a time and resource saver - and it means all outlooks basically have the same features, so users don't need to learn something new.

Outlook started out as an Exchange feature then moved to office product where it was the "red-headed step child" and a few years ago, moved back to Exchange. It's like no one wants to own it.

Dianne - I came across this and it's saying that we have but a few months before the non-new OL is going to stop working.

Microsoft wants you on New Outlook for Windows by July, August or receiving emails may stop

Whether you like it or not, Microsoft will apparently retire legacy Outlook clients very soon starting this July. A lot of such purported details have been revealed by a M365 message center post.

www.neowin.net

 

[Diane Poremsky]

That only applies to older (version) clients, not classic Outlook. They always only support the last three versions of an app. classic Outlook won't stop working for POP and IMAP (except to outlook.com accounts) - Exchange server has always only supported the last three versions and now only supports versions that support oAuth2.

This is the message center post they reference:
>>
Updated June 18, 2024: This post does not refer, nor does it impact classic Outlook for Windows. For the latest timing update for the new Outlook for Windows, please read New Outlook for Windows: A Guide to Product Availability. We apologize for any confusion and thank you for your feedback.

Starting in mid-July, for organizations that use vanity domains and their users are on the following version of clients they will experience functionality diminishing:

• Outlook for iOS versions prior to 4.2411,
• Outlook for Android versions before 4.2342,
• Outlook for Mac versions older than 16.73
• Windows Mail and Calendar applications

We encourage users to switch to the new Outlook for Windows, and update to the newest versions of Outlook on iOS, Android, and Mac. Our ongoing development efforts and advanced security measures will be focused on these updated platforms.

Starting in mid-August, for Outlook on the web and Outlook.com:

• If users are using an old browser, they will receive an error page, and prompt to get the newer version of browser to continue using Outlook on the web.
  • Internet Explorer
  • Microsoft Edge Legacy
  • New Microsoft Edge<=79
  • Chrome<=79
  • Safari <=13.1
  • Mozilla Firefox< =78
  • Opera <=76
• The light version of Outlook on the web will also be retired.

>>

ETA: I've written about this change in my newsletter once or twice since they made the announcement in mid-June.

 

[Rupert Dragwater]

That only applies to older (version) clients, not classic Outlook. They always only support the last three versions of an app. classic Outlook won't stop working for POP and IMAP (except to outlook.com accounts) - Exchange server has always only supported the last three versions and now only supports versions that support oAuth2.

This is the message center post they reference:
>>
Updated June 18, 2024: This post does not refer, nor does it impact classic Outlook for Windows. For the latest timing update for the new Outlook for Windows, please read New Outlook for Windows: A Guide to Product Availability. We apologize for any confusion and thank you for your feedback.

Starting in mid-July, for organizations that use vanity domains and their users are on the following version of clients they will experience functionality diminishing:

• Outlook for iOS versions prior to 4.2411,
• Outlook for Android versions before 4.2342,
• Outlook for Mac versions older than 16.73
• Windows Mail and Calendar applications

We encourage users to switch to the new Outlook for Windows, and update to the newest versions of Outlook on iOS, Android, and Mac. Our ongoing development efforts and advanced security measures will be focused on these updated platforms.

Starting in mid-August, for Outlook on the web and Outlook.com:

• If users are using an old browser, they will receive an error page, and prompt to get the newer version of browser to continue using Outlook on the web.
  • Internet Explorer
  • Microsoft Edge Legacy
  • New Microsoft Edge<=79
  • Chrome<=79
  • Safari <=13.1
  • Mozilla Firefox< =78
  • Opera <=76
• The light version of Outlook on the web will also be retired.

>>

ETA: I've written about this change in my newsletter once or twice since they made the announcement in mid-June.

Pardon my ignorance, although you are permitted to laugh at it if you wish. I'm using Microsoft (Outlook) 365 Version 2407 Build 17830.20084, and not using the New Outlook.
I have got a couple gmail accounts / outlook.com accounts / aol account /hotmail account / live.ca account.
If I leave everything alone as is, not touching anything, will everything continue to work as is, or shall I expect either of these accounts to stop working or even a minor explosion within Outlook itself???

 

[Diane Poremsky]

Pardon my ignorance, although you are permitted to laugh at it if you wish.

Whatever it is, I can quarantine you my hubs has everyone beat in this department. (After years of telling him how to copy and paste, he finally does it without asking. )

I have got a couple gmail accounts / outlook.com accounts / aol account /hotmail account / live.ca account.

If all the Microsoft accounts are set up using auto account setup (which adds them as Microsoft exchange accounts), you will be fine. Gmail and AOL is not affected by the changes.

 

[Rupert Dragwater]

When you mention your hubby & his experience with the technical side of things, suddenly, I'm not feeling so alone anymore. Aside from that, if by 'using auto account setup' means not doing it manually, then I should be able to relax. Otherwise, I'll be crying for your help. Thank you so much Diane for your expertise!

 

[Diane Poremsky]

means not doing it manually, then I should be able to relax

Yeap... you can confirm they are exchange account in File > Account Settings > Account Settings - look on the email tab. Microsoft accounts should say Microsoft exchange on the right.

 

[Rupert Dragwater]

Thank you for the reply, Diane. I am not seeing Microsoft Exchange on all my email tabs. I have four with IMAP/SMTP. Up to this point, all is operating within normal parameters, but will that continue? I am not using the New Outlook, but I believe this to be what is called Classic.
Please advise.

 

[Diane Poremsky]

gmail accounts = nothing will change
outlook.com accounts = must be added using auto account setup, added as a Microsoft account
aol account = nothing will change
hotmail account = must be added using auto account setup, added as a Microsoft account
live.ca account. = must be added using auto account setup, added as a Microsoft account

 

[Rupert Dragwater]

Thank you again Diane, for your expertise & excellent helps.

 

[SteelerFan]

Interesting comments. I see Sysadmins happy because lack of customization means their job is easy. Me? I'm not that much of a power user, but I do have my own domains, etc. New Outlook is a dumbed down version of a web app.

Like most of the industry, lets hit 70% of the users and to heck with the rest.

 

[PhilBurton]

Outlook started out as an Exchange feature then moved to office product where it was the "red-headed step child" and a few years ago, moved back to Exchange. It's like no one wants to own it.

Maybe that explains why some poorly implemented features haven't been improved since at last Office 2010.

It's a key product for Microsoft, very "sticky". Why doesn't any MS group want to own this product?

 

[PhilBurton]

How can I do a fresh install of Office 365, but exclude Outlook from that install?

I recently did an uninstall and fresh install of Office 365, because of issues with Word and Excel. When I started up Outlook, I was shocked that there was no way to install PST files. My very next step was to verify that discovery via a search. My next step was to use the Windows Restore Point created when I used Revo Uninstaller Pro (highly recommended. Free version available. Uninstall Software, Remove programs easily - Revo Uninstaller Pro)

So I'm back with the classic Outlook, but also with the Word and Excel applications with issues. So I would like to reinstall Office, ideally just Word and Excel, or less ideally, excluding Outlook. I have sort of admin/IT skills, if that matters. I think other people might also benefit from this information.