Microsoft is making significant changes to its older apps, and users should take note if they rely on Windows Mail, Calendar, or People for their day-to-day tasks. As the company confirmed in a recent support document, these apps will be officially unsupported after December 31, 2024. After that date, users will still be able to open the apps, but they won’t be able to send or receive emails or create appointments, making the apps essentially unusable for most.
In addition to these apps, the classic Outlook app is also being phased out, though on a slower timeline. For months now, Microsoft has been notifying users through pop-up messages that they should migrate to the new Outlook app. The company has now clarified the timing of this transition, offering some much-needed certainty about when the change will occur.
The Transition Timeline
The deprecation of Windows Mail, Calendar, and People is set for the end of the year. Starting December 31, 2024, users will no longer be able to use these apps for key features like email management and scheduling. While the apps will still open, they will essentially be rendered obsolete for any real productivity. Users will need to transition to the new Outlook app or seek out third-party alternatives to replace the functionality.
As for the classic Outlook app, this is also headed for obsolescence, though it follows a more gradual timeline. Currently, the new Outlook app is available on an opt-in basis, but soon, Microsoft will shift to making it the default for all users, with the old app no longer available as an option.
What Should You Do Now?
If you’re still using one of the affected apps, expect to see pop-ups notifying you about the impending end-of-support deadline. You have two options: make the switch to the new Outlook app now or hold off until the deadline nears. If you decide to delay, you’ll continue seeing the pop-ups, and after December 31, 2024, the option to use the old apps will be gone entirely.
The new Outlook app, available in the Microsoft Store as “Outlook for Windows,” is touted as an enhanced, more secure version of the older apps. While Microsoft promises improvements, users may find the switch challenging, especially if they’ve grown accustomed to the older apps.
Migrating Your Data
For those concerned about data migration, Microsoft offers a streamlined process to transfer your data to the new Outlook app. The transfer will happen automatically when you switch to the new app, but if you prefer, you can manually export your emails, contacts, and calendar data from the old apps and import them into the new Outlook. Microsoft has provided detailed step-by-step instructions to help guide you through this process.
In conclusion, while the new Outlook app promises to bring security and functionality improvements, it’s important to act now to avoid being caught without a working app after December 31, 2024. Whether you’re ready for the switch or not, now is the time to begin transitioning your data and adjusting to the new Outlook experience.