Microsoft is planning to retire its "classic" Outlook product over the next few years, transitioning users to the new Outlook for Windows.
Microsoft published a comprehensive blog post that details the migration timeline and what users can expect throughout this process.
The blog post explains how long users have to prepare for these changes and the future availability of classic Outlook. The roadmap is specifically focused on Outlook Desktop for Windows Commercial users.
"Commercial" products encompasses all Microsoft 365 subscriptions intended for business use, including:
- Microsoft 365 Business Basic, Standard, and Premium
- Office 365 E1, E3, and E5
- Microsoft 365 Apps for Business and Enterprise
It is important to note that this definition does not typically include educational, non-profit, or government licenses, which have separate timelines and considerations. The upcoming changes to the new Outlook will impact these licenses differently. While the transition roadmap for commercial products is more immediate, Microsoft is working on tailored transition plans for educational, non-profit, and government users to ensure a smooth migration with minimal disruption. Specific details and timelines for these user groups will be communicated through their official channels as they become available.
Microsoft’s Known Limitation for Add-Ins in the New Desktop Version
Microsoft has acknowledged a known limitation with the new Outlook in that add-ins currently only work with the primary (top-level) account. This Microsoft limitation means that the add-in will only function for the primary account configured in Outlook, not for secondary (delegated) accounts or shared mailboxes that may have been set up in Office 365.
To clarify, the primary account is the main one Outlook users log into. The GivingData add-in works well for this account. But if someone has multiple accounts set up, the add-in won’t show up for the secondary ones. Microsoft is aware of the impact and their Development teams are making it a priority to support secondary accounts and multiple profiles. Unfortunately, they have not given a specific timeline for when this fix will be ready, but they have assured us it is high on their list.
Because of this, Microsoft will not phase out classic Outlook until the new Outlook is fully capable of handling all necessary functions. They are committed to ensuring that the new Outlook is ready for everyone’s needs before making a complete transition, and will keep providing updates as they make progress.
The Migration Phases: What to Expect
The transition to the new Outlook will follow a staged approach, similar to what was used for Outlook on Mac.
- Opt-out: The new Outlook will become the default, but users will still have the option to revert to the classic version.
- Cutover (Beyond 2025, by 2029): In this final phase, users will no longer be able to switch back to the classic version, and the new Outlook will become permanent. However, Microsoft will continue supporting the classic version for licensed users until at least 2029.
For more details on this process, visit Microsoft’s Outlook Migration Guide.
For Mac users, the new version of Outlook for desktop was released in early 2022 and has since moved most users to the new experience. The Mac version has completed its opt in, opt out, and cutover stages, with most users now fully transitioned to the new Outlook.
Impact on the GivingData Add-In for Microsoft Outlook
GivingData is committed to keeping its Outlook integration current and ensuring our platform supports the transition to the new Outlook. We stay up-to-date with changes from Microsoft and other third-party providers to ensure seamless integration for our users. We will continue to update our support documentation as new features and updates are released, ensuring that our users are well-equipped to work with Microsoft’s evolving products.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our Support team.