by Curious about the new Outlook but not ready to let go of the classic version? Discover how to run both at the same time to explore new features while maintaining familiarity and full functionality.
With the introduction of the new Outlook app, many users are excited to see what it brings to the table. However, an immediate switch isn't always practical. Whether it's for feature comparison, functionality testing, or facilitating the transition, running both the old and new Outlook side by side can be incredibly useful. This article will guide you through the steps to achieve this.
Classic Outlook vs. new Outlook
First things first, let's start by defining the key terms and understanding the primary differences between the old and new Outlook versions.
Classic Outlook
Classic Outlook (aka old Outlook) refers to the traditional Outlook desktop client that has been part of the Microsoft Office suite for years. It includes a comprehensive set of features and a familiar interface that many users have come to rely on for their daily email and calendar needs.
New Outlook
While the new Outlook for Windows introduces a refreshed design, a simplified ribbon, and some remarkable new features, it does lack many of the functionalities that classic Outlook provides. For example, it does not yet support offline usage, Exchange on-premises, PST files, and has limited functionality for email rules, conditional formatting and other fundamental productivity features. Additionally, COM add-ins are not supported, and for many, a web add-in replacement is not yet available.
For some users, these missing features may be a deal-breaker, but others may still be interested in trying out the new app. Unfortunately, the option to try the new Outlook is presented as an on/off switch, which means you can either use the new or old Outlook, but not both simultaneously.
Luckily, there are a couple of simple workarounds to run the classic and new Outlook at the same time as separate applications, so you can easily switch between the two or have both running at the same time.
Pin the new Outlook to taskbar
The Try the new Outlook toggle button in the upper-right corner of the classic desktop application allows users to switch to the new app. Using this toggle will close the old Outlook and open the new Outlook. Even after closing the new Outlook, attempting to reopen the classic application via its shortcut will still launch the new app.
However, since the new Outlook runs as a separate application with its own taskbar icon, you can leverage this to run both versions side by side. Here's how to do it:
- Open classic Outlook and turn on the Try the New Outlook toggle in the upper-right corner.
- The new Outlook will begin downloading.
- Once the download is complete, you'll be prompted to switch to the new Outlook.
- With the new Outlook running, right-click on its taskbar icon and select Pin to Taskbar.
- In the upper-right corner of the new Outlook app, toggle off the New Outlook switch.
- You may be asked to provide feedback about the new Outlook or choose to Skip Feedback.
Now, when you start Outlook in the usual way (e.g. from the Windows Start menu or via a desktop shortcut), it will run the classic version. And when you use the pinned shortcut, it will open the new app. This allows you to run both programs simultaneously, giving you the flexibility to switch between the two or have both open at the same time for comparison and testing purposes.
Here's a quick summary of what to expect:
- Accounts. All your existing email accounts will be automatically transferred from the old Outlook to the new app, so you won't need to reconfigure them manually.
- Email rules. Your email rules will also be transferred to the new Outlook. However, some rules may be disabled as client-side rules are not supported in the new version.
- Conditional formatting. Rules to highlight emails are not copied to the new Outlook due to differences in the feature sets between the two versions. You will need to re-create these rules manually to maintain your preferred color-coding system in new Outlook.
- Primary account. The default account in the classic Outlook will be set as the primary account in the new Outlook, which is crucial for several reasons. For example, it will determine the ability to install and use apps as well as your privacy settings and licensing policies. For full details, please refer to The importance of primary account in new Outlook.
Note. If you're using a non-subscription version of Office such as Office Home & Business, you won't find a toggle to try the new Outlook. In this scenario, you can still download and install the new app on your computer by following the steps described in the next section.
Install the new Outlook as a separate application
If you want a fresh start or cannot make the switch to the new Outlook within the current application, you can install the new Outlook for Windows as a separate app on your device. This method allows you to experience the new interface and features without affecting your existing classic Outlook setup. There are two ways to get the new Outlook app:
Download the new Outlook from Apps Store
- Visit the Microsoft Apps Store website and download the new Outlook installer.
- Double-click Outlook for Windows Installer.exe in your browser or the Downloads folder to start the installation.
- Wait a few minutes for the download and installation to complete.
When the installation is finished, the new Outlook will open automatically.
Get the new Outlook from Microsoft Store
Another way to install the new Outlook is through the Microsoft Store on your Windows device.
- Get new Outlook from Microsoft Store on your computer by using this direct link. In case Microsoft Store won't launch by clicking the link above, click Start, type "Microsoft Store", and then click on the app to open it. In the left panel, switch to Apps, and type "new Outlook" in the search box – New Outlook for Windows will be the first match:
- Click the Get button to start the download and install.
- Once the installation is complete, click Open.
Now, you'll have both Outlook classic and Outlook new in the Windows Start menu. From there, you can drag both icons to the desktop to create shortcuts or pin them to the taskbar for easy access.
Generally, installing the New Outlook as a separate application provides a clean slate with no accounts, email rules, or other settings. This allows you to start fresh and customize the application to fit your current needs without any legacy configurations.
What's next: Getting started with the New Outlook
To start using the new Outlook effectively, here are some steps you can take:
- Familiarize yourself with the simplified ribbon and learn how to customize it to suit your workflow.
- Set up your email accounts to manage all your communications from the new interface.
- Establish email rules to automate your email management.
As we wrap up this guide on running old Outlook and the new Outlook side by side, remember that the transition to a new application doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing leap. By following the approaches outlined in this article, you can enjoy the familiarity of the classic application while exploring the innovative features of the new app at your own pace 😊
