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Summary
Microsoft has been rolling out "New Outlook for Windows" as the replacement for Classic Outlook. If the new version feels unfamiliar — or if features you rely on are missing — this guide shows you how to switch between the two versions and adjust to the changes.
Before You Start
- Microsoft 365 with Outlook installed on Windows
- Both Classic and New Outlook may be available on your machine depending on your organization's rollout schedule
Instructions
1. Check Which Version You're Using
Two quick tells separate the versions, and the rest of these steps depend on knowing which one you are in.
| Feature | Classic Outlook | New Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| Look & feel | Traditional ribbon with tabs (Home, Send/Receive, etc.) | Simplified toolbar, web-app style interface |
| Title bar | Says "Microsoft Outlook" | Says "Outlook (new)" or has "(new)" label |
| Toggle switch | Top-right corner: "Try the new Outlook" toggle | Top-right corner: "Switch to classic Outlook" option |
2. Switch from New Outlook to Classic Outlook
The same toggle that brought you here takes you back, with your profile intact.
If you're in New Outlook and want to go back:
- Look for the toggle switch in the top-right corner of the Outlook window. It may say "Try the new Outlook" and be flipped On.
- Click the toggle to flip it Off.
- Outlook will prompt you to provide feedback (optional — you can skip this).
- Click Switch to Classic Outlook.
- Classic Outlook will open. This may take a moment while it loads your profile.
WARNING
If the toggle isn't visible, your IT department may have enforced New Outlook as the only option. Ask IT to confirm whether your organization has pinned everyone to New Outlook by policy, and whether Classic Outlook can be re-enabled for your account — say which feature you need it for, since that is what an exception is usually granted on.
3. Switch from Classic Outlook to New Outlook
Moving to New Outlook carries most of your settings across for you.
If you want to try or return to New Outlook:
- Open Classic Outlook.
- Look for the "Try the new Outlook" toggle in the top-right corner.
- Click the toggle to flip it On.
- New Outlook will open and import your settings.
4. What's Different in New Outlook
Not all Classic Outlook features have made the transition. Here's what to expect:
| Feature | Classic Outlook | New Outlook (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| COM Add-ins (custom plugins from third parties) | ✅ Fully supported | ❌ Not supported — web add-ins only |
| Quick Steps | ✅ Available | 🔶 Work/school accounts only; do not transfer from Classic |
| Offline access | ✅ Full offline mode | ⚠️ Limited — requires internet for most actions |
| PST/local archive files | ✅ Supported | ⚠️ Import and export work; opening a PST needs Classic installed too |
| Shared mailbox sidebar | ✅ Appears automatically | ⚠️ Must be manually added |
| Rules | ✅ Full rule engine | ✅ Available (server-side only) |
| Categories & color coding | ✅ Available | ✅ Available |
| Multiple email accounts | ✅ Supported | ✅ Supported (including Gmail, Yahoo) |
5. Restore Your Workflow in New Outlook
Most of what feels missing in New Outlook is present under a different name.
If you're sticking with New Outlook, here are adjustments for common frustrations:
Add a shared mailbox:
- Click Settings (gear icon) in the top-right.
- Select Accounts > Email accounts.
- Click Add a shared mailbox.
- Enter the shared mailbox email address.
Change the default font (Aptos to your preference):
- Click Settings (gear icon).
- Select Mail > Compose and reply.
- Under Message format, change the font, size, and color to your preference.
- Click Save.
Customize the reading pane layout:
- Click Settings (gear icon).
- Select Mail > Layout.
- Choose Reading pane position: right, bottom, or hidden.
6. Verify Success
Confirm the version you wanted is running and your day-to-day setup came with it.
- Confirm you're running the version you prefer (check the title bar for "(new)" or look for the toggle).
- Verify your email rules, signatures, and shared mailboxes work as expected.
- Send a test email to confirm normal functionality.
Troubleshooting
WARNING
If you switched to Classic Outlook but it still opens New Outlook after a restart, your organization may have pushed a policy update. Check with IT — they may have set New Outlook as the default for your company.
| Symptom / Error | Potential Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Toggle switch is missing | IT has enforced one version | Ask IT to confirm whether policy pins your account to one version, and whether an exception is possible |
| Classic Outlook won't open after switching back | Profile corruption during switch | Open Control Panel > Mail > Show Profiles > create a new profile |
| Signatures look different in New Outlook | Formatting engine differences | Recreate your signature in Settings > Mail > Compose and reply |
| COM add-in missing in New Outlook | COM add-ins not supported | Check if a web add-in version exists; contact the add-in vendor |
| Cannot open a PST in New Outlook | Classic Outlook is not installed, or is a different architecture | Opening a PST needs Classic Outlook on the same computer, both 32-bit or both 64-bit. Ask IT to confirm which build you have. Importing the PST instead brings the mail into your mailbox without that requirement |
| Default font changed to Aptos | Microsoft changed the default in 2023 | Change font in Settings > Mail > Compose and reply |