Microsoft has begun transitioning all users to the new Outlook application. Do you prefer the old version? Administrators can still stop the switch.
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The new Outlook application has been available since last summer, and Microsoft wants to get the transition going. Previously, users could opt-in to try out the new version, but Microsoft is changing the gun’s shoulder. Users with Microsoft 365 Business Standard and Premium subscriptions will be automatically transitioned starting in January, even if they don’t opt-in.
Would you rather stay with the old version of Outlook? Returning is still possible. The old Outlook app is still supported until 2029. Dare to say no to Microsoft if the new version hasn’t convinced you yet. In this guide, we’ll show you how to switch back and how, as an IT administrator, you can stop the mandatory switch for everyone in your organization.
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Step 1: From old to new (and back again)
In the old Outlook app, since the summer, you have seen a switch in the upper right corner that takes you to the new Outlook app. Simply select it and Outlook reloads. You’d think you could just as easily go back to the old version, but that’s beyond Microsoft. Microsoft likes to play it crafty and hide the return feature in the new Outlook’s taskbar. Click on Help and then Go to the classic version of Outlook. To make sure you get the “right” version, you can also open Outlook from the Windows Start menu. Both Outlook versions live side by side in Windows and are called with Classic or New distinguished from each other.
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Step 2: Hide switch
Don’t want to be tempted to click the switch? You can hide the switch via Windows Registry. Select successively Computer > HKEY_CURRENT_USER > Software > Microsoft > Office > 16.0 > Outlook > Options > General to get to the appropriate window. Create a new DWORD value (32-bit) and name it HideNewOutlookToggle. Then give it value 1. Stay in Windows Registry for a while, because you can also return to the old Outlook app via here. In the Outlook menu, go to Preferences. Create the DWORD value UseNewOutlook and leave it set to 0.
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Step 2b: Hide switch (admin)
IT admins have the ability to hide the switch on devices under their control. To do this, you need to set a cloud policy for the organization’s Office environment. Log in to the Microsoft 365 Apps management center. Go to Policy Management under Customization Click on Create to create a new cloud policy. Search for the policy Hide the “Try the new Outlook” switch in Outlook and enable it.
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Step 3: Delete new Outlook
Sometimes you have to play hardball. Windows versions after 23H2 have the new Outlook app installed by default. You cannot prevent the installation of the new Outlook app on your PC, but you can remove it afterwards. You do this through PowerShell. Open PowerShell as administrator and type the following command: Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage -AllUsers -Online -PackageName (Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.OutlookForWindows).PackageFullName. Now press the Enter key to run the script. This step works to stop both automatic and manual installation of the new Outlook app. Are you using a Windows version older than Windows 11 23H2? Then the new Outlook will reinstall itself when your device updates. To prevent that, you need to open the Windows Registry again. Delete the registry value below:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE_SOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsUpdateOrchestratorOutlookUpdate
Procrastination is not procrastination
These measures will allow you to stay on the old Outlook app for a while longer. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to win the battle forever. Although the old version will stay around until 2029, sooner or later everyone will have to make the switch from Microsoft.