As expected, Microsoft is retiring the old Windows Mail and Calendar apps on Windows 10 and Windows 11 by the end of this year and replacing them with the new Outlook app.
Microsoft Outlook has all the powers of Mail and Calendar apps, besides being modern and advanced features. Though the OEM initially gave time until September next year, it updated the timeline to late 2023, with automatic migration starting in August.
Retiring Windows Mail and Calendar Apps
Two of the oldest applications that Microsoft still shipped in Windows 11 – are Mail and Calendar. While one can retrieve your emails, the other is used for scheduling events, tasks, and appointments. Though they offer a decent experience, Redmond has long been preparing to ditch them for a modern replacement – the Outlook app.
Apart from doing what the current Mail and Calendar apps can do, the new Outlook has advanced features like delivery package tracking, aeroplane reservation tracking, personalising UI etc. Also, it provides better integration with other email providers than the current Mail app.
Considering it is an appropriate replacement, Microsoft is automatically migrating the Windows Mail and Calendar app data to the new Outlook app by late this year. Earlier, the company said it’ll make changes by September 2024, but this week’s new advisory brings this timeline forward to late 2023.
Meanwhile, Microsoft is automatically replacing Mail and Calendar apps for Outlook in August 2023 with an option to switch back in case needed. The new Outlook app is testing, and we will ditch the old apps later.
Microsoft is already bundling Outlook with the new versions while blocking the updates and downloads of Mail and Calendar apps after this year. Interested users of Outlook can start testing the app by toggling in the upper right-hand corner of Windows Mail – which will automatically install the new Outlook app and import your settings from the Mail application.
