New Outlook versus Classic Outlook: Why your client looks different
Microsoft is pushing users toward the 'New Outlook' interface, which is a separate application from the classic version. Users are reporting issues with legacy file support and unwanted automatic installation on perpetual license systems.
Why it matters
The forced transition to new software architectures can disrupt professional workflows and cause compatibility issues for users relying on legacy data formats.
If you bought an outright license for Outlook with no subscription attached, you may have noticed it switching to a new version seemingly on its own.
Microsoft’s rollout of New Outlook has been landing on Windows PCs regardless of what version you actually own. Whether you press the “Try the new Outlook” banner toggle or receive a sneaky popup that prompts you to do so, it means a separate version appears on your PC.
New Outlook has difficulty with larger .pst archives and offers limited functionality beyond reading them. If you rely on PST in your workflow, you may find it inadequate.
New Outlook is a separate app built on a different underlying architecture. It’s installed separately from your standalone Outlook app, but supplants it as the default email client on your system.
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