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Will Classic Outlook Be Removed from Microsoft 365 Home and Family?
Question details
Users are seeking clarity on Microsoft's timeline for retiring Classic Outlook in Microsoft 365 Home and Family subscriptions, and whether they can customize Office installations to prevent unwanted applications from downloading.
- Product
- Microsoft 365 Home and Family
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Setting up a new PC or updating an existing Microsoft 365 installation while trying to manage email application preferences.
- Observed behavior
- Microsoft 365 consumer installers currently force the installation of both Classic and New Outlook without giving users the option to select or deselect specific Office applications.
Before making any changes to your applications, check your current Microsoft 365 version and ensure your work is saved, as switching between email clients may require restarting the application.
Continue Using Classic Outlook and Monitor the Roadmap
While Microsoft is transitioning to the New Outlook, Classic Outlook remains supported. You can manually toggle back to the classic version and monitor official channels for the final removal timeline.
Microsoft has stated that Classic Outlook will remain supported for several more years. Currently, Microsoft 365 Home and Family users who are pushed to the New Outlook can easily revert to the classic interface.
There is no immediate forced removal date for consumer installations, but tracking the official Microsoft 365 Roadmap is the best way to prepare for eventual deprecation.
Open the New Outlook application. In the top right corner of the window, locate the 'New Outlook' toggle switch and click it to turn it off. The application will close and Classic Outlook will launch.
Visit the official Microsoft 365 Roadmap website periodically. Filter by 'Outlook' and 'Consumer' to view confirmed timelines regarding the rollout of New Outlook and the eventual phasing out of the classic application.
If you are dissatisfied with the New Outlook experience, use the 'Help' > 'Feedback' option within the application to express your preference for Classic Outlook features.
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- 1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the 'Free Download' button to get the lightweight installation file.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded executable file and follow the on-screen instructions to install the suite in just a few minutes.
- 3. Open and edit your files: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Microsoft Office documents. They will load seamlessly with full formatting intact.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I choose which Office applications to install with Microsoft 365 Home?
No. The standard consumer installer for Microsoft 365 Home and Family is an 'all-or-nothing' package. It automatically installs the entire suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, without offering checkboxes to exclude specific apps.
Why did my computer install both Classic and New Outlook?
During the transition period, Microsoft includes both versions in its updates. The New Outlook is installed as a modern app (often alongside Windows Mail), while Classic Outlook remains as part of the traditional desktop Office suite. This is to ensure users have a fallback option while the new version is being refined.
When will Classic Outlook stop working completely?
Microsoft has confirmed that Classic Outlook will remain supported until at least 2029 for perpetual license users. For Microsoft 365 subscribers, while New Outlook is becoming the default, a hard cutoff date for removing Classic Outlook from consumer plans has not yet been finalized in their roadmap.
Will Windows Mail be replaced by the New Outlook?
Yes. Microsoft is officially replacing the default Windows Mail and Calendar apps with the New Outlook for Windows. New PC installations and Windows 11 updates are already transitioning users automatically.
