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

Published 16. 5. 2023

If you're a dedicated Outlook user, you might be excited to hear that the latest version of the app is here. The Microsoft One Outlook offers a range of features and intelligent assisted capabilities, all wrapped up in a sleek and modern design that's sure to please. However, it's not all sunshine and rainbows - some users may be disappointed that offline support is not included.

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.

 

If you're not sold on the "One Outlook", don't worry - you can switch back to the classic version at any time.

 

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 OutlookAdding 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 OutlookNew 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 inboxPin 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 emailSnoozing 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 widthsDynamic 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.

 

Tip for Outlook users
Check our Top 10 Microsoft Outlook Tips and Tricks to Increase Your Productivity.

 

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.

 

"One Outlook" for Windows does not offer offline support yet. This can be a major inconvenience for some users, and it's definitely something to consider if you're thinking about upgrading.

 

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.

 

"One Outlook" for Windows does not support the ability to open or save .msg and .eml files.

 

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.

 

Tip for Outlook users
Do you often find yourself working offline and relying on ‘good old’ Outlook desktop app? Then eWay-CRM might be just the tool you need to manage your contacts, communications, projects, and other business-related tasks.

Best of all, getting started is completely free! To learn more about how this powerful tool can enhance your workflow, be sure to check out more about eWay-CRM Desktop.

If you like "One Outlook" or the Outlook web app, try eWay-CRM Online, which is compatible with any Outlook.