In a significant yet inevitable shift, Microsoft is transitioning its users from the long-standing and trusted Mail and Calendar apps to the new Outlook for Windows. This change has created a stir amongst the users, with some welcoming the update as a positive step forward, while others see it as an unnecessary regression.
Migration Timeline and Progress
The news of this change was not entirely unexpected. Starting in August 2023, Microsoft began the process of automatically migrating users to the new Outlook app. Users, however, have the choice of temporarily opting out of this to the old apps by accessing the toggle under Settings > General > About. However, this option is soon to be a relic as Microsoft plans to discontinue the Mail and Calendar apps entirely by the end of 2024.
User Reactions and Microsoft’s Response
This shift has not been without any hiccups. In many forums such as Hacker News, consumers are seen criticizing the discontinuation of Mail, which they consider “a fantastic piece of software… perfect for a novice user to check their email on“. The broader criticisms have gone towards the company’s transition towards a cloud-dependent, straying the company from focusing on providing consumer satisfaction.
Despite such criticisms, Microsoft has been confident in its commitment to the shift, emphasizing the improved productivity and control Outlook will bring to the table.
Enhanced Security and a Streamlined Approach
With its deeper integration into Microsoft’s purview and more advanced threat protection features, Outlook has been able to gain an edge over Mail. Ever since Hafnium, a Chinese hacking group was able to hack into Outlook on March 1, 2021, Microsoft has started rolling out its managed conditional access policies, including multi-factor authentication (MFA) for admin portals and high-risk sign-ins.
Users will also benefit from having streamlined account management in Outlook, integrating emails from various providers like Yahoo and Gmail in one spot. These enhanced security measures promise to safeguard emails and documents from phishing and scams, leveraging Microsoft’s advanced threat protection.
Time for a Change for Mail and Calendar
What some believe to be a “forceful migration” has started to find its way into our notifications nudging users towards the new Outlook with pop-ups in the Mail and Calendar apps. As of now, it has been notified that the old apps will cease to function after December 31, 2024.
The users need not worry about their old data -local emails, calendar events, and contacts saved in the Mail and Calendar can all be easily exported. The Export feature is available in the older applications, and allows for a smooth transition, ensuring all your important data is seamlessly shifted to the new Outlook.
Regardless of what some users might think, the decision to shift from Mail and Calendar to Outlook for Windows is final. Sadly, users will now need to adapt to the new Outlook or seek alternative third-party email clients that suit their needs.
