The New Outlook for Windows was introduced by Microsoft a couple of years ago and became “Generally Available” in August of this year. The “New Outlook for Windows” is a big leap from the current version of Outlook (henceforth called “Classic Outlook”). The New Outlook for Windows brings the latest features, AI-assisted capabilities, modern and feature-rich client with a simplified Outlook app design.
Microsoft has announced the transition from the Classic Outlook to the New Outlook for Windows that starts in early 2025 with the Microsoft 365 Business standard and Premium customers. In this blog, we will explore the roll-out timelines and deployment options, and best practices to roll out the new Outlook for Windows to the organization.
The transition from the Classic Outlook to the New Outlook for Windows
Users within the organization holding the following Microsoft 365 licenses will shift from Classic Outlook to the New Outlook for Windows according to the timelines outlined below. From these dates onward, users will automatically access the New Outlook for Windows for their emails, calendars, contacts, and more.
- Microsoft 365 Business Standard and Premium: Migration begins on January 6, 2025.
- Microsoft 365 Enterprise: Migration begins on April 1, 2026.
Once the rollout is fully completed, users will still have the option to revert to the Classic Outlook version. This flexibility is being offered to ensure that everyone can take their time and become familiar with the New Outlook for Windows at their own pace.
Rolling Out the New Outlook for Windows to Pilot Users
To facilitate a seamless transition, it is recommended to deploy the New Outlook for Windows to a group of pilot users first. This allows the Administrators to gather feedback, make any changes to the Roll-out process, and ensure a smooth transition.
As part of the transition, it is essential to update relevant documentation to reflect the changes, train the Help desk team and provide guidance to the users. This includes updating user manuals, FAQs, and support articles to ensure users have access to the latest information about the New Outlook for Windows.
Registry Settings for Managing New Outlook Migration
To manage the migration to New Outlook, Administrators can use the following Windows registry settings:
Use the “NewOutlookMigrationUserSetting” registry setting to pause/resume the migration for the pilot and users accordingly. The Classic Outlook is expected to retire permanently by the year 2030, until then users should be able to use the following registry to pause the automatic migration if there are no further announcements from Microsoft on the retirement dates. It is highly recommended to proceed with the migration at this time.
- [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\office\16.0\outlook\preferences]
- "NewOutlookMigrationUserSetting"=dword:00000000
Once the users are migrated to the New Outlook for Windows, use the “HideNewOutlookToggle” registry setting to hide the option to switch back to Classic Outlook for the users.
- [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\Options\General]
- "HideNewOutlookToggle"=dword:00000001
Additionally, Administrators can disable the migration using Group Policy, Cloud Policy, or Intune (Admin-Controlled Migration to New Outlook).
Conclusion
Helient strongly recommends customers be aware of the transition to the New Outlook for Windows, corresponding timelines, and roll-out options, and prepare for “Phased Deployment” to have a seamless transition to the New Outlook for Windows. If you would like more information or assistance in the roll-out, please contact our industry-leading experts at service@helient.com.
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