Microsoft is accelerating its rollout of a new Outlook app called Project Monarch. After initially proposing it as an update, they’ve begun a mandatory switch from the current Mail and Calendar app.
The company officially announced the retirement of Mail and Calendar earlier, encouraging users to switch to the new Outlook for Windows. This migration started in August 2023 with the option to return to the older apps. However, Microsoft has recently shifted to a more forceful approach.
According to my test, when I try to open either the Mail or Calendar app, it opens for a while, then closes, and then the new Outlook app opens up.
Currently, there’s still a temporary option to stop force redirection to the New Outlook app and switch back to the older apps. However, Microsoft has made it clear that this is a transitional period, and full support for Mail and Calendar will end by the close of 2024. This means users will eventually need to migrate to the new Outlook app.
In the app, there’s a ‘New Outlook’ option available in the upper right corner which users can turn off to switch back to the old app. Before that, you will see a “Closing the new Outlook” pop-up with a message that reads:
In 2024, Outlook is replacing Windows Mail and Calendar. You can switch back now, but you will be returned to the new Outlook in the future
accompanied by the feedback window, that you can fill or ignore depending on your choice to restore the old app.
Apart from this, you perform the following things to stop Mail and Calendar apps from forcefully opening the new Calendar app.
Search and Uninstall the New Outlook app.
In the Mail and Calendar app, make sure the “Try the new Outlook” option is toggled OFF.
While some users have embraced the new Outlook app, others might prefer the familiarity of the Mail and Calendar apps. Microsoft understands this, but it’s important to note that Mail and Calendar are nearing retirement.
Are you going to try the New Outlook app, or would like to keep using the old Mail and Calendar app? Let me know your opinion in the comments.
