Outlook (classic) for Windows, the one we’ve all used for many years has been dropped from some Microsoft 365 installations even though the replacement Outlook (new) is still a “work in progress”. Here’s how to still get the ‘real’ fully-functioning, classic Outlook.
Outlook (new) is the eventual replacement for what’s now called Outlook (classic). This new Outlook for Windows is totally different from the long-standing Outlook that’s been around for two decades.
The change to Outlook (new) has reached another stage with Outlook (classic) being dropped from some installations of Microsoft 365.
On new computers – from the start of 2025, only Outlook (new) is preinstalled on computers. Outlook (classic) is available only as a separate download, see below. This has been confirmed by Microsoft.
New Microsoft 365 installations – many reports that fresh installs of Microsoft 365 for Windows do NOT include classic Outlook, only the new, incomplete, Outlook.
This has NOT been announced by Microsoft but is widely reported. If true, it’s a departure from Microsoft’s own rollout promises for Outlook (new) where this “Opt out” phase was to be given 12 months notice.
How to get Outlook (classic)
Happily, there’s a few workarounds to get classic Outlook for Windows.
According to Microsoft, Outlook (classic) it’s available as a separate download from here or from the Microsoft Store. . A Microsoft 365 plan is required (Family, Personal or most organization plans).
Reliable reports say that Outlook (classic) is included in the “Offline installer” package that’s available from your Microsoft account.
Outlook (new) is premature
In our view this change is premature, to put it mildly. Outlook (new) is still a “work in progress” with important limitations and incomplete features. Just a few that spring to mind.
Offline support – what Microsoft is calling “offline” use of new Outlook isn’t great in practice. I speak from experience on some recent long-haul flights where I was grateful to have classic Outlook as a workable replacement.
PST support – at the moment Outlook (new) can only read emails in PST files from classic Outlook. No write access or reading of contact or calendar data.
Secure email – Microsoft is now promising S-Mime encryption for later this year.
Cross-mailbox – it’s still not possible to move items between mailboxes.
Mail merge – only classic Outlook works with Word’s Mail Merge to emails.
Most serious is the privacy breach in Outlook (new) for any non-Microsoft mailboxes (like Gmail, Yahoo and many others. We continue to strongly recommend AGAINST using new Outlook for any mailboxes not hosted by Microsoft itself.
All about Outlook new for Windows
