Microsoft Sets 2024 Deadline for Mail, Calendar, and People Apps; New Outlook Takes Center Stage
Microsoft has announced that support for its legacy Mail, Calendar, and People apps will end on December 31, 2024. Users of these apps are being notified of the impending discontinuation via in-app pop-ups, encouraging a shift to the new Outlook app that Microsoft is championing as its modern solution.
The push extends to Microsoft 365 users, with Business Standard and Premium subscribers set to start their transition in January 2025. Enterprise users may have a slightly longer runway, but Microsoft’s roadmap aims for full adoption of the new Outlook by April 2026. Despite this, classic Outlook installations tied to perpetual and subscription licenses will be supported until at least 2029, offering some breathing room for reluctant users.
The new Outlook, however, faces criticism for lacking certain beloved features of classic Outlook, leading some users to resist the transition. While Microsoft promises feature parity, skepticism lingers, with many planning to stick with classic Outlook for as long as it remains viable.