Summary
New Outlook has begun to appear on campus, even though it's not fully-baked. This article will define the reasons you may or may not want to use "New" or "Classic".
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Feature
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Classic Outlook (Windows)
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New Outlook (Windows)
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Outlook on the Web
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Guidance / Notes
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Offline use
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✅
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⚠️ (partial; improving)
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❌
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If you travel/work with spotty internet, Classic is safest.
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PST files (.pst)
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✅
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⚠️ (partial)
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❌
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If you rely on PST archives, Classic is more complete.
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Mail merge
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✅
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⚠️ / No (varies by note)
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⚠️
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Traditional Word/Excel mail merge works best in Classic.
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Quick Parts
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✅
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🕒 (coming soon)
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—
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Use Classic until New catches up.
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COM add-ins / VBA
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✅
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❌
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❌
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If you depend on legacy add-ins, stay on Classic.
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Web add-ins (Office Add-ins)
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✅
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✅
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✅
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Modern add-ins are supported across experiences.
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Multiple profiles
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✅
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🕒
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❌
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If you switch between separate Outlook profiles, use Classic.
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Shared mailbox (folders)
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✅
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✅
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✅
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Works across endpoints.
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Shared mailbox as account (manage rules/categories/OOO)
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✅
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✅ (rollout-dependent)
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—
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Supported in New, availability can vary.
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Rules (complex)
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✅
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⚠️ (partial)
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⚠️
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Classic tends to offer more for complex rules.
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Folder colors
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❌
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✅ (does not sync to Web)
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✅ (does not sync to New)
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New/OWA advantage; note one‑way/unsynced behaviors.
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Pin messages
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❌
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✅
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✅
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New/OWA support pinning.
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.EML / .MSG / .OFT handling
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✅
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✅ for .eml; ⚠️ for .msg/.oft
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❌
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If you regularly handle .msg files, Classic is more reliable.
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Notes module
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✅
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⚠️ (partial)
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❌
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If you use Outlook Notes, Classic is safer.
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Distribution lists / groups (UX)
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✅
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🔁 Revised experience
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🔁
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Experience differs in New; often managed via portal on Web.
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Contact lists (basic)
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✅
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✅
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✅
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Basic contact lists work across endpoints.
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Share a Contacts folder
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🕒/⚠️ (investigating)
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🕒/⚠️ (investigating)
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🕒/⚠️ (investigating)
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Microsoft lists as "Investigating".
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Copilot features in Outlook
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✅
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✅
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✅
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Available where licensed.
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Drag calendar item to other calendar
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✅
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❌
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❌
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Classic only per internal notes.
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Drag email to desktop / Save message file
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✅(MSG drag‑drop)
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File > Save As (EML)
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—
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Different file handling between Classic and New.
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"File" menu in Calendar
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✅
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❌
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✅
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Classic and Web have a Calendar File menu; New does not.
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Forward from Group mailbox
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✅
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❌(item type invalid)
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—
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Forwarding from Group mailbox not available in New (per notes).
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Roaming Signatures
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❌
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✅
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—
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Roaming signatures supported in New.
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| HTML/CSS Rendering |
❌ |
✅ |
✅ |
If email messages don't appear correctly, use Outlook New or Web. |
NOTES:
- Classic Outlook remains on the computer, even after a migration to Outlook (new).
- Both Outlook classic and new can exist and run on a computer at the same time. There’s no conflict.
- Outlook (classic) for Windows will remain supported until at least 2029.
- Change to Outlook (new) when YOU are ready, not when Microsoft tries to force you.
Sources