Microsoft Rolls Out Classic Outlook Theme for New Outlook Users
Microsoft has started rolling out a Classic Outlook theme for users of Outlook on the web and the New Outlook for Windows. The theme will become generally available worldwide between late September and late October.
Intelligence analysis by Llama
Microsoft has started rolling out a Classic Outlook theme for users of Outlook on the web and the New Outlook for Windows. The theme will become generally available worldwide between late September and late October.
Microsoft is updating the Outlook app to make it look more like the old version. This will help people who are used to the old version to get used to the new one more easily.
Analysis
Classic Outlook Theme for New Outlook Users
Microsoft has started rolling out a Classic Outlook theme for users of Outlook on the web and the New Outlook for Windows. This new Outlook theme is rolling out as part of a targeted release beginning mid-August and expected to complete by the end of September. The theme will become generally available worldwide between late September and late October.
The Classic Outlook theme will provide a more familiar experience for users who are transitioning from classic Outlook to the new Outlook. The theme will be enabled by default for some users, but users can toggle it off to switch to the standard theme from Settings > General > Appearance.
Microsoft has been working on the New Outlook client for several years, introducing the first preview version in May 2022. The app reached general availability for personal accounts in September 2023 and for commercial customers in August 2024. However, the new Outlook still lacks some Classic Outlook features, and Microsoft has been working to address these gaps.
The Classic Outlook theme is part of Microsoft's efforts to provide a more seamless transition for users from classic Outlook to the new Outlook. By providing a more familiar experience, Microsoft hopes to reduce the learning curve for users and make it easier for them to adopt the new Outlook.
New Outlook for Windows
The New Outlook for Windows is a significant update to the classic Outlook app that has been pre-installed on Windows devices since Windows 11. The new app offers a range of new features and improvements, including a more modern design, improved performance, and enhanced security.
However, the new Outlook still lacks some Classic Outlook features, and Microsoft has been working to address these gaps. The Classic Outlook theme is one of the features that Microsoft has been working on to provide a more seamless transition for users from classic Outlook to the new Outlook.
Conclusion
The Classic Outlook theme is a significant update for users of Outlook on the web and the New Outlook for Windows. By providing a more familiar experience, Microsoft hopes to reduce the learning curve for users and make it easier for them to adopt the new Outlook. The theme will become generally available worldwide between late September and late October, and users can toggle it off to switch to the standard theme from Settings > General > Appearance.
Key points
- Microsoft has started rolling out a Classic Outlook theme for users of Outlook on the web and the New Outlook for Windows.
- The theme will become generally available worldwide between late September and late October.
- The Classic Outlook theme will provide a more familiar experience for users who are transitioning from classic Outlook to the new Outlook.
- The New Outlook for Windows is a significant update to the classic Outlook app that has been pre-installed on Windows devices since Windows 11.
- The new Outlook still lacks some Classic Outlook features, and Microsoft has been working to address these gaps.
If the Classic Outlook theme is successful, it could make it easier for users to transition to the new Outlook and reduce the learning curve. This could lead to more users adopting the new Outlook and benefiting from its improved features and security.
However, if the Classic Outlook theme is not well-received by users, it could lead to a backlash against the new Outlook and make it harder for Microsoft to get users to adopt the new app. This could also lead to a decrease in user engagement and a loss of market share for Microsoft.
