Microsoft reveals all the features coming to New Outlook, but Outlook Classic still beats it
AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication
Microsoft is testing at least ten new features for New Outlook on Windows 11, including advanced Mail Merge, a new mini calendar, and a single view for all accounts. The updates aim to address performance issues and improve the user experience. Despite these efforts, Outlook Classic still outperforms New Outlook in terms of notification handling and loading speed. New Outlook takes over 10 seconds to load an email from a notification, whereas Outlook Classic opens in under 10 seconds. The new features are scheduled to roll out between August and October 2026, with some updates addressing known issues with notifications and folder control.
💡 Why It Matters
- · Microsoft's struggle to match Outlook Classic's performance underscores the challenges of replacing a well-established product.
- · The delayed notifications issue in New Outlook highlights the importance of getting the basics right in a productivity application.