Microsoft Outlook users, meet the proverbial elephant in the room—the new Outlook app for Windows. Since its rollout, opinions have ranged from cautiously optimistic to outright dismay. The lackluster initial launch left many users longing for the classic Outlook experience they've known and depended on for years. But change may be on the horizon!
Microsoft has ambitious plans to give the new Outlook a substantial makeover in 2025. The company has announced a flurry of updates and improvements, 53 to be exact, as per the Microsoft 365 Roadmap. Will these enrich the user experience enough to sway the skeptics? Let’s find out by digging deep into the nine features Microsoft has lined up for the coming months. Spoiler alert: some of these updates are gems, while others… well, you be the judge.
If you're the type to aim for "Inbox Zero," Microsoft is throwing breadcrumbs your way. Finally, you'll be able to pin email folders to the top of the Folder Pane. No need to scroll endlessly through a labyrinth of folders in search of that one nested gem. It allows you to focus on getting things sorted—and let's not kid ourselves, email organization is an art. Previously, the best you could do was toss it into "Favorites," but that came with the inconvenience of navigating into the Favorites folder. The pinned folders revolution could cut your time and headaches in half.
Ever been annoyed by Outlook's unrelenting insistence on placing newly created folders alphabetically or burying dragged folders as subfolders in unintended locations? Microsoft has finally caught on. You'll soon find yourself wielding godlike power to arrange those folders exactly how you want, dragging and dropping them freely between levels and in any order you deem fit.
Color-coded label fans, meet your newest tool: the option to assign a "None" category. This is a subtle yet essential update, enabling even more control over the organization of emails and calendar events. Why should you care? Because not every email or event needs to scream for attention with a neon-colored flag. Sometimes, neutral silence is golden.
Marketers and team leaders, rejoice! Microsoft is adding a full-blown newsletter creation tool inside Outlook. Gone are the days of fiddling with third-party apps or external software to send email campaigns. Not only will this feature let you build and send newsletters, but it also comes packed with real-time analytics. "How many people opened this?" "Who engaged the most?"—all your basic metrics will be available at a glance.
Are your folders starting to look like stale toast? Finally, Microsoft is tuning into our visual preferences by letting users customize folder icons with different colors. This small tweak could completely transform your Folder Pane, making it easier to differentiate between personal and professional emails—or simply add a bit of flair. Jazz up your folders, folks; life is better with a pop of color.
Shared folders, often a cornerstone of collaborative work, can now enter your Favorites list. Conveniently access critical shared data with just a couple of clicks. No more winding paths to find team emails; they're consolidated right where you need them.
Previously, the bane of managing multiple email accounts in Outlook was the inability to move emails between them. Dragging an email from a Gmail inbox to a Yahoo folder? Forget about it! But come 2025, Microsoft's breaking down those barriers. This newfound freedom could significantly bolster how personal and professional accounts coexist in one Outlook instance.
Lost your Wi-Fi connection but desperate to access that critical PDF someone emailed you? Soon, you'll be able to open and save email attachments offline through the desktop app. This long-overdue fix addresses one of the most glaring snags with the new Outlook for users who often work on the go.
AI enthusiasts will be giddy over Copilot's expansion. Microsoft’s AI assistant is joining the Outlook ranks with features that redefine productivity:
That said, the question on many long-time users' minds remains: are these incremental changes enough to bridge the gap between new Outlook and its cherished predecessor? Will users flock back to this revamped platform, or will Microsoft need to double down on updates to stay competitive with alternatives like Gmail?
What’s your take on the future of new Outlook? Discuss below!
Source: How-To Geek Is New Outlook Going to Improve? 9 Features You Can Expect in 2025
Microsoft has ambitious plans to give the new Outlook a substantial makeover in 2025. The company has announced a flurry of updates and improvements, 53 to be exact, as per the Microsoft 365 Roadmap. Will these enrich the user experience enough to sway the skeptics? Let’s find out by digging deep into the nine features Microsoft has lined up for the coming months. Spoiler alert: some of these updates are gems, while others… well, you be the judge.
If you're the type to aim for "Inbox Zero," Microsoft is throwing breadcrumbs your way. Finally, you'll be able to pin email folders to the top of the Folder Pane. No need to scroll endlessly through a labyrinth of folders in search of that one nested gem. It allows you to focus on getting things sorted—and let's not kid ourselves, email organization is an art. Previously, the best you could do was toss it into "Favorites," but that came with the inconvenience of navigating into the Favorites folder. The pinned folders revolution could cut your time and headaches in half.Why It Matters:
This update could seriously enhance productivity for those with multiple nested folders. Pinning folders will now make it effortless to drag and drop emails into the proper categories.
Ever been annoyed by Outlook's unrelenting insistence on placing newly created folders alphabetically or burying dragged folders as subfolders in unintended locations? Microsoft has finally caught on. You'll soon find yourself wielding godlike power to arrange those folders exactly how you want, dragging and dropping them freely between levels and in any order you deem fit.Broader Implications:
For power users with countless project folders, this flexibility means you won't just use Outlook—you'll dominate it. Whether it's personal, professional, or hybrid uses, it's a small detail with potentially large quality-of-life implications.
Color-coded label fans, meet your newest tool: the option to assign a "None" category. This is a subtle yet essential update, enabling even more control over the organization of emails and calendar events. Why should you care? Because not every email or event needs to scream for attention with a neon-colored flag. Sometimes, neutral silence is golden.
Marketers and team leaders, rejoice! Microsoft is adding a full-blown newsletter creation tool inside Outlook. Gone are the days of fiddling with third-party apps or external software to send email campaigns. Not only will this feature let you build and send newsletters, but it also comes packed with real-time analytics. "How many people opened this?" "Who engaged the most?"—all your basic metrics will be available at a glance.What’s the Catch?
The rollout is expected to hit in late 2025, so you've got some waiting to do. Plus, it’s limited to internal distribution. Don’t expect it to replace platforms like Mailchimp just yet, but for corporate communications, this is a game-changer.
Are your folders starting to look like stale toast? Finally, Microsoft is tuning into our visual preferences by letting users customize folder icons with different colors. This small tweak could completely transform your Folder Pane, making it easier to differentiate between personal and professional emails—or simply add a bit of flair. Jazz up your folders, folks; life is better with a pop of color.
Shared folders, often a cornerstone of collaborative work, can now enter your Favorites list. Conveniently access critical shared data with just a couple of clicks. No more winding paths to find team emails; they're consolidated right where you need them.
Previously, the bane of managing multiple email accounts in Outlook was the inability to move emails between them. Dragging an email from a Gmail inbox to a Yahoo folder? Forget about it! But come 2025, Microsoft's breaking down those barriers. This newfound freedom could significantly bolster how personal and professional accounts coexist in one Outlook instance.
Lost your Wi-Fi connection but desperate to access that critical PDF someone emailed you? Soon, you'll be able to open and save email attachments offline through the desktop app. This long-overdue fix addresses one of the most glaring snags with the new Outlook for users who often work on the go.
AI enthusiasts will be giddy over Copilot's expansion. Microsoft’s AI assistant is joining the Outlook ranks with features that redefine productivity:- Prioritize My Inbox: Automatically filters high-priority emails and gives summaries.
- Prepare for Meetings: AI generates meeting briefs.
- Rewrite With Copilot: Need a softer tone or a shorter email? Copilot’s got you covered.
- Outlook Themes: Even your user interface can get an AI-driven glow-up.
- Dialog Command Execution: Mac users, Copilot will now chat with you directly in a natural language format.
Final Thoughts: A Step Forward, But Is It Enough?
Outlook's roadmap for 2025 paints an optimistic picture. From trivial but helpful tweaks like folder-pinning and color-coding to deep integrations with Copilot AI and offline attachments, there’s plenty to like.That said, the question on many long-time users' minds remains: are these incremental changes enough to bridge the gap between new Outlook and its cherished predecessor? Will users flock back to this revamped platform, or will Microsoft need to double down on updates to stay competitive with alternatives like Gmail?
What’s your take on the future of new Outlook? Discuss below!
Source: How-To Geek Is New Outlook Going to Improve? 9 Features You Can Expect in 2025