Microsoft declared that all users running Windows 11 will have no option but to use the new Outlook app, classic Mail and Calendar apps will be phased out by the end of 2024.
Still, Mail and Calendar apps are working, but Microsoft will force the upgrade to Outlook. The process started recently and is scheduled for completion at the end of Q3, year 2024.
According to Windows Latest, Microsoft will go on supporting the Classic Win32 version for enterprise customers. Mail and Calendar apps will also be removed entirely by the end of 2024.
Microsoft had earlier indicated that it was going to end support for Windows Mail, Calendar, and People in 2024. Users are to shift to alternative apps by then, following Microsoft’s Modern Policy for product lifecycles.
This means that if users try to turn off the new Outlook toggle, a popup message will reset their preference. This migration only affects the Mail and Calendar applications, therefore, it will make all Windows 11 devices uniform.
Microsoft is also planning to introduce Outlook for commercial customers on August 1, 2024. The classic version will remain available to make the transition for all users as seamless as possible.
The move represents a strategic pivot for Microsoft, seeking to reduce its many productivity tools while maintaining enterprise requirements with extended Classic Win32 support.
