Introducing "One Outlook" for Windows: Is It Worth Upgrading?

For those of you who are eager to try out "One Outlook", you'll be happy to know that the new version is now available to test out.

If you have access to classic Outlook for Windows and a Microsoft 365 subscription, you can switch to "One Outlook" and take it for a test drive. It's worth noting that this toggle has only been available to Insiders since May 2022, so it's exciting news for the wider user base.

So, is "One Outlook" worth it? Let's dive in and take a closer look.

Unlocking "One Outlook" for Windows

Trying out the upgrade is as simple as sliding a toggle switch. Just head over to the upper-right corner of your classic Outlook for Windows and look for the "Try the new Outlook" toggle. Once you've located it, simply slide it over and follow the onscreen instructions. With just a few clicks, you'll be up and running with all the latest features and improvements that "One Outlook" has to offer.

Check out the Latest Features in Outlook for Windows

"One Outlook" for Windows comes with a range of new features to help users better manage their email and calendars. For instance, it now supports Gmail accounts in addition to Microsoft accounts for work or school, Outlook.com, and Hotmail (regrettably, Yahoo, iCloud, and IMAP email accounts continue to be unsupported).

Adding Gmail accounts to the Outlook. Source: Microsoft

See what else you can look forward to:

New design

One of the most noticeable changes in "One Outlook" is its new design. The interface is clean, with a focus on simplicity and ease of use. The previous ribbon has been replaced with a simplified ribbon, making it easier to find the functions you need. The new design also includes a customizable navigation bar that allows you to access your most-used folders and features.

New pared-down Ribbon in Outlook. Source: Microsoft

Pin emails

You can now pin important emails to the top of your inbox to ensure they don't forget to follow up on the most crucial messages. This feature saves time by eliminating the need to search for a key email thread actively.

Pin important emails to the top of your inbox. Source: Microsoft

Snooze email

Another new feature is the ability to snooze an email. This feature allows you to temporarily remove an email from your inbox and schedule it to reappear later as a new email when you are ready to respond.

Snoozing email. Source: Microsoft

Dynamic calendar widths

In "One Outlook" for Windows, you'll be able to tweak the width of columns in your calendar. This means you can customize how much space is allocated to each day as you browse through your weekly schedule.

Dynamic calendar column widths. Source: Microsoft

Overall, "One Outlook" has several new features that can help users better manage their email and calendars. If you're also interested in the shortcomings of the new version, keep reading.

What’s Missing in "One Outlook"

While the new design of Outlook for Windows is certainly eye-catching, there have been some rumblings among bloggers and commenters on Reddit and discussion forums that certain crucial features are missing.

After conducting some research across multiple sources, we've identified the three most cited features that are absent from the upgrade:

Offline support

One of the most significant missing features in "One Outlook" is offline support. In previous versions of Outlook, users were able to access their emails, contacts, and calendar appointments even when they were not connected to the Internet. This was incredibly useful for people who needed to get work done while traveling or in areas with limited connectivity.

Native ICS file type support

"One Outlook" is missing native ICS file type support. ICS files are used to share calendar appointments and schedules with others, and they're commonly used in business settings. In previous versions of Outlook, users could easily import and export ICS files, which made it easy to share schedules and appointments with colleagues and clients.

Saving emails to files

In previous versions of Outlook, users could easily open and save these file types directly from within the email client. This made it easy to archive emails or share them with others who may not be using the same email client.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "One Outlook" for Windows offers a new design, added support for Gmail accounts, and a number of new features. However, the lack of offline access, support for Yahoo, iCloud, and IMAP email accounts, and certain features such as saving emails to files may be a significant drawback for many users.

For those who heavily rely on these features or require offline access, sticking with the current Outlook may be the better option.

If you prefer desktop apps and require offline access, the current Outlook is still a reliable option. However, if you are looking for a more modern design and are willing to sacrifice some features, the upgrade may be worth exploring.