Office Compatibility Issues

Fix Cannot Drag Emails Between Windows in New Outlook

Maira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users are unable to drag and drop email messages between different windows in the New Outlook, a feature that previously worked seamlessly in the Classic version.

Product: Microsoft Outlook (New)
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to organize, move, or attach emails by dragging them from one Outlook window to another.
Observed behavior: Dragging an email from one window to another is unresponsive or blocked in the New Outlook interface.

Before you start

Ensure your Outlook application is up to date, as Microsoft is gradually rolling out multi-window drag-and-drop capabilities to New Outlook tenants over time.

Solution 1Recommended

Revert to Classic Outlook

Switching back to Classic Outlook restores the ability to drag and drop emails between windows immediately.

Since the drag-and-drop functionality between windows is still rolling out to the New Outlook, the most reliable workaround is to temporarily revert to the Classic or Legacy version of Outlook where the feature is fully supported.

Locate the New Outlook toggle

Look for the 'New Outlook' toggle switch located in the top right corner of your current New Outlook window.

Turn off New Outlook

Click the toggle to turn it off. A prompt may appear asking for your feedback on why you are switching back.

Restart the application

Allow the application to restart. It will automatically open in the Classic Outlook interface, allowing you to drag and drop emails between windows normally.

Feature Restored: All standard multi-window functionalities, including dragging emails to folders or new messages, will work in Classic Outlook.

Solution 2

Check for Updates and Submit Feedback

Keeping your app updated ensures you receive the feature once it reaches your tenant, and submitting feedback helps Microsoft prioritize the rollout.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I drag emails between windows in New Outlook?

Microsoft is still developing the New Outlook. Multi-window drag-and-drop functionality is currently in a gradual rollout phase and may not yet be enabled for your specific account or tenant.

When will the drag-and-drop feature be available for everyone?

Microsoft releases new capabilities gradually across different update channels. Availability depends entirely on your tenant's update channel and Microsoft's development timeline. Keeping your software updated is the best way to receive it.

Can I use Classic Outlook and New Outlook at the same time?

Yes, in many configurations you can run both side-by-side. By launching the classic OUTLOOK.EXE executable directly from your Start Menu, you can utilize drag-and-drop in Classic Outlook while keeping New Outlook open for other tasks.

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