In less than two months, Microsoft will manipulate Windows Mail and Calendar on Windows systems so that they stop working. Microsoft announced the change, in less drastic words, in an update to the Outlook for Windows support page.
There, Microsoft writes:
Support for Windows Mail, Calendar, and People will end on December 31, 2024. We’re currently in the process of moving existing users to the new Outlook for Windows. After December 31, 2024, users will no longer be able to send and receive email using Windows Mail and Calendar.
The change is a culmination of Microsoft’s decision to create and push a new Outlook application to all users. Microsoft confirms that it is migrating users to the new Outlook for Windows.
Microsoft is not shy to point out the benefits and features of the new Outlook. Not all of them are unique or new though.
- Use AI to “write better emails”.
- Free and no subscription nedded.
- Access all your emails in one location.
- Organize appointments “in one click.
- Feel secure.
- Use Microsoft 365 free on the web and “with the click of a button”.
- Stay organized thanks to universal search and more.
- Unify accounts.
Not everyone is happy
Part of the userbase sees the change critically, as the new Outlook lacks some features of the classic Mail and Calendar app. On top of that, it has other deficiencies as well.
Users who miss the date may still export their data to the new Outlook, according to Microsoft. They may use the toggle under Settings > General > About Outlook in the new Outlook app to go back to the Outlook for Windows app. The limitations still apply though.
Those who are not satisfied with the new Outlook for Windows app may also switch to another email client. Thunderbird, the open source client that recently got its own Android version, comes to mind.
There are others and most allow you to import data from other clients.
Note: The change does not affect the classic Outlook application for Windows at this point. Microsoft stated in the past already, however, that it will put the classic Outlook to rest as well eventually.
Windows Mail was the default free email client of Windows for several years. The total number of users who use it is unclear, as Microsoft has never revealed usage numbers.
Have you tried the new Outlook for Windows? What is your take on this change? Feel free to leave a comment down below.
I can not believe that anybody was ever using this program. I have been using Windows since 3.1 started, but I never tried it or even thought of trying it. It always looked so inferior/outdated to Yahoo/Gmail/Outlook/Thunderbird. I always thought of it like most people think of WordPad. Use it only when everything else fails. At least it had the advantage of privacy comparing to web based emails, but not anymore.
I tried, to try it. (Back on Win 10)
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I was unable to add my main email (@hotmail.com) account to it while using a local account on my PC.
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If you ever log into the M.$ store to make a purchase, that email is forever tied to your OS whether you use a local or online account even if you ‘remove it’. I suppose you could buy new hardware and a new retail copy of Windows to break the link.