Microsoft to End Support for Mail and Calendar Apps

In a bold move, Microsoft has announced that it will officially end support for its Mail, Calendar, and People apps on Windows 11 by December 31st of this year. This shift reflects the company’s strategic push towards consolidating its services around the newly launched Outlook for Windows app, which aims to streamline user experiences by providing an upgraded and more modern interface.

Transition to Outlook for Windows

Over recent months, Microsoft has gradually transitioned users of the legacy apps to the Outlook platform. The software titan warns that once the end of support date arrives, those who have not migrated will find themselves unable to send or receive emails via the Mail and Calendar apps, posing a significant inconvenience for many users.

Phased Approach to Transition

The transition to the new Outlook for Windows isn't a sudden change; the app has been in various phases of release for years, achieving its general availability status in August. Designed around a web-based infrastructure, the new Outlook not only aims to replace the older Mail and Calendar applications but is also on track to eventually overshadow the traditional desktop version of Outlook. As part of this transition, Microsoft has committed to providing enterprise customers ample notification—12 months—to adjust to the move away from the desktop variant.

Support for Classic Outlook

For users who have existing licenses for the classic Outlook through perpetual and subscription modes, Microsoft assures that support will continue at least until 2029. This strategy indicates that while the transition to the new app format is progressing, it will be a phased approach, starting with the Mail and Calendar applications and soon extending to Outlook on Windows in an opt-out phase.

Prepare for the Change

This major shift reinforces the importance for users to adapt and make the transition as seamless as possible. Don’t wait until it’s too late—make sure you’re ready to embrace the updated Outlook for Windows and avoid the email fallout come the end of the year! For more details on Microsoft’s timeline for this transition, stay tuned!