MS Outlook Latest Version Comparison and Planning Guide

If you're considering upgrading to the latest version of MS Outlook, it's essential to know what features and improvements you can expect. The latest version, Microsoft Outlook 365, boasts a sleek and intuitive interface that's designed to make your email management more efficient.

One of the standout features of the latest version is its integration with Microsoft Teams, allowing for seamless communication and collaboration. This feature is particularly useful for teams and businesses that rely heavily on group communication.

The latest version also includes improved security features, such as advanced threat protection and data loss prevention. These features help to protect your email account from malicious activity and ensure that sensitive information remains confidential.

With the latest version of MS Outlook, you can also expect improved performance and reliability, thanks to its cloud-based architecture. This means that you can access your emails and calendar from anywhere, at any time.

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To install the latest version of Microsoft Outlook, you'll need to meet certain system requirements. Windows 10 Version 2004 (Build 19041) or higher is the minimum requirement, and the new Outlook for Windows is preinstalled on new Windows devices and devices running Windows 11 version 23H2.

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You can also run the latest Outlook on Windows Server 2022 (20348.2402) or higher. If you want users to be able to switch between classic Outlook and new Outlook, you'll need Classic Outlook app Version 2303 Build 16227.20318 or higher.

Here are the specific system requirements:

You'll also need to update WebView2 to the latest version, as this is required for the new Outlook to function properly.

To deploy the new Outlook installer, you'll need to download the .exe installer and distribute it to your target computers using Intune, Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager, Group Policy, or non-Microsoft distribution software.

Distributing the installer is a straightforward process, and you can also use the Office Customization Tool to exclude either classic or new Outlook from the installation.

You can configure the install setting to include or exclude Outlook (classic) or Outlook (new) by using the Office Customization Tool or making XML changes directly in the Office Deployment Tool (ODT).

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To remove new Outlook, you can follow the steps in Control the installation and use of new Outlook, which won't affect existing installations of classic Outlook.

Here's a quick rundown of the steps to deploy new Outlook:

To deploy the new Outlook installer across your organization, you'll need to follow these steps. Download the .exe installer and distribute it to your target computers using Intune, Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager, Group Policy, or non-Microsoft distribution software.

You can also install new Outlook as part of a new Microsoft 365 deployment. Starting with Version 2502, new deployments will include the new Outlook app by default, but admins can choose to exclude classic or new Outlook, or have both installed side-by-side.

To exclude either Outlook, use the Office Customization Tool, which allows you to turn the toggle on or off to include or exclude Outlook (classic) or Outlook (new). Alternatively, you can configure the XML directly using the Office Deployment Tool (ODT).

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Running new and classic Outlook side-by-side offers several benefits, including the ability for users to try new Outlook while still using classic Outlook as needed. This allows them to get accustomed to the new app while still having access to the classic version.

Here are some key points to keep in mind when running new and classic Outlook side-by-side:

Windows is a popular operating system used in many devices, including desktops, laptops, and mobile phones. It's developed by Microsoft and first released in 1985.

The installation process for Windows varies depending on the version, but most require a valid product key and a minimum of 20GB of free disk space. This is a crucial step, as a slow or faulty installation can lead to system crashes and data loss.

Some versions of Windows, such as Windows 10, can be installed directly from a USB drive, while others require a CD or DVD. It's essential to choose the right installation media for your device to avoid compatibility issues.

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Windows has a built-in feature called Windows Deployment Services (WDS) that allows administrators to deploy Windows images to multiple computers simultaneously. This feature is particularly useful in large-scale enterprise environments where efficiency is key.

In addition to the installation process, Windows also has a range of deployment tools, including the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK). This kit provides a comprehensive set of tools for assessing and deploying Windows images, making it easier to manage large-scale deployments.

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The latest version of Microsoft Outlook offers seamless integration with other Microsoft tools, making it a powerful productivity suite.

You can send meeting details to OneNote with just a few clicks, and meeting chat is now available in the new Outlook version.

The new Outlook version also offers presence indicators in the sender, recipients, and co-recipients, making it easier to stay connected with your team.

Here are some key features and integrations to keep in mind:

With these features and integrations, you can streamline your workflow and stay connected with your team, making the latest version of Microsoft Outlook a valuable addition to your productivity toolkit.

The calendar feature in new Outlook is quite impressive, offering a 3-day calendar view, just like classic Outlook. This allows you to plan your schedule more effectively.

You can also add attendees as optional, which is a great feature for meetings where not everyone needs to attend. This is available in both classic and new Outlook.

Category colors are also supported, making it easier to visually organize your events. Classic Outlook has been using this feature for a while now.

Custom holidays files (.hol) are available in classic Outlook, but the new Outlook is still investigating this feature. If you're used to adding holidays to your calendar, you might want to stick with classic Outlook for now.

Delegate access is available in both classic and new Outlook, allowing you to share and access calendars with edit or delegate permissions. This is a great feature for teams and organizations.

Here's a summary of some key calendar features in classic and new Outlook:

The new Outlook also offers some features that classic Outlook doesn't, such as the ability to edit and delete events in a series. This is a game-changer for anyone who regularly schedules recurring events.

OneNote Integration is a powerful feature that allows you to seamlessly connect your email and note-taking experiences.

In the new Outlook, you can send meeting details directly to OneNote, making it easy to keep track of your meetings and appointments.

You can also send emails to OneNote in the new Outlook, which is a convenient way to save emails for later reference.

One feature that's available in both the classic and new Outlook is the ability to send emails to OneNote, which can be a big time-saver.

Here's a quick rundown of the OneNote integration features available in both the classic and new Outlook:

Overall, OneNote integration is a valuable feature that can help you stay organized and productive.

In the realm of extensibility, Classic Outlook and New Outlook have some notable differences. Classic Outlook still supports COM add-ins, but New Outlook does not.

If you're looking to migrate your COM add-ins to web add-ins, there's a helpful article to guide you through the process. Classic Outlook also has content forms available, but New Outlook does not.

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On the other hand, both Classic Outlook and New Outlook support web add-ins, which can enhance your email experience. You can find more information on using add-ins in Outlook.

In terms of web add-in support, both Classic Outlook and New Outlook support primary Entra, work or school accounts, and primary Microsoft accounts. However, web add-in support is not available for secondary accounts or third-party accounts like Gmail, Yahoo, or iCloud.

Here's a summary of extensibility features in Classic Outlook and New Outlook:

In the classic Outlook, you can show or hide the folder pane, a feature that's also available in the new Outlook. This is a basic navigation feature that's essential for organizing your emails and other items.

The new Outlook retains this feature, making it easy to toggle the folder pane on and off as needed. You can also show or hide favorites, which is another feature that's available in both classic and new Outlook.

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In the new Outlook, you can pin your favorite folders at the top, making it even easier to access them. This is a great way to streamline your navigation and get to the folders you use most often.

The new Outlook also allows you to favorite groups, people, and categories, which is a feature not supported in the classic Outlook. This expands your options for organizing your emails and other items.

You can reorder your folders in both classic and new Outlook, giving you more control over your navigation. This is especially useful if you have a lot of folders and need to prioritize certain ones.

The new Outlook also supports online archives, a feature that's available in the classic Outlook as well. This allows you to store and access your archived emails and other items.

Here's a quick summary of the folder features in classic and new Outlook:

Public folders are available in the classic Outlook, but only partially available in the new Outlook. This might be a limitation for some users, but it's still a useful feature for accessing shared folders.

Search folders are available in the classic Outlook, but only partially available in the new Outlook. This means you can still use search folders, but you might be limited in your options.

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In the latest version of Microsoft Outlook, managing your account settings has become even more seamless. You can add a Gmail account with ease, just like you can with a Microsoft account or any other popular email provider.

If you're using a work or school account, you'll be happy to know that it's available in both Classic Outlook and New Outlook. Adding an email account to Outlook is a straightforward process, and the help article is just a click away.

Some features, like Exchange, have different levels of availability in New Outlook. For example, Exchange on-prem and on-prem ADFS is partially available, with functionality limited based on protocol capabilities.

Here's a quick rundown of some key account features in the latest version of Microsoft Outlook:

In terms of security, the latest version of Outlook has some great features to help protect you from spam and phishing. You can block senders with ease, and even report suspicious emails to help keep your inbox safe.

Account support is a crucial aspect of managing your email and calendar. You can add a work or school account, such as Office 365 or Entra ID, to Outlook with ease.

Microsoft accounts, like Outlook.com or Hotmail.com, are also supported and can be added to Outlook. This is a great option if you have a personal email address through Microsoft.

Gmail and iCloud accounts can also be added to Outlook, making it easy to manage all your email in one place. Yahoo accounts are also supported and can be added to Outlook.

If you have a mail server that uses IMAP or POP, you can still add it to Outlook. However, if you have an Exchange server, you may encounter some limitations depending on the protocol capabilities.

Shared mailboxes are also supported in Outlook, and you can even manage shared mailbox settings in the new Outlook interface.

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Security and compliance are top priorities when it comes to protecting your account and data. You can block senders in both Classic and New Outlook, giving you control over who can contact you.

Continuous access evaluation is available in both versions of Outlook, helping to ensure that only authorized users can access your account.

Data Loss Prevention (DLP) is also available in both Classic and New Outlook, allowing you to detect and prevent sensitive information from being sent or received.

Mandatory labeling is available in both versions, enabling you to apply sensitivity labels to your emails and files.

You can report phishing or junk emails in both Classic and New Outlook, helping to keep your account safe from malicious activity.

The following security features are available in both Classic and New Outlook:

If you're experiencing issues with your Outlook account, you can try checking the help article for your specific issue.

To add a Gmail account to Outlook, you'll need to follow the steps outlined in the "Add a Gmail account" help article.

If you're having trouble accessing your shared mailbox, you can try checking the "Manage shared mailbox settings in new Outlook" help article.

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You can also try enabling IMAP for your Exchange server to access your shared mailbox, but be aware that functionality may be limited based on protocol capabilities.

To add an email account to Outlook, including Gmail, Yahoo, and iCloud, follow the steps outlined in the "Add an email account to Outlook" help article.

Here's a quick reference guide to help you troubleshoot common issues:

If you're still having trouble, you can try reaching out to Microsoft support for further assistance.

When planning to upgrade to the latest version of Microsoft Outlook, it's essential to understand the feature comparison between the new and classic versions.

The new Outlook version offers various features, but some may be partially available or not supported at all. For instance, features listed as "Partially available" may not have all the existing features compared to other Outlook versions.

If you're unsure about a specific feature, check the status listed in the feature comparison table. Availability statuses include Available, Partially available, Not supported, Under investigation, and Upcoming.

Here's a quick reference guide to help you plan:

By understanding the feature comparison and availability statuses, you can make an informed decision about upgrading to the latest version of Microsoft Outlook.