- New Outlook opt-out phase moved from April 2026 to March 2027
- Microsoft wants to “continue to deliver key features and improvements”
- Companies also receive “the time they need to prepare” for the change
Just weeks before the previously stated April 2026 deadline, Microsoft announced that it will delay the opt-out phase for businesses to upgrade to the new Outlook by approximately one year, to March 2027.
The opt-out phase will see the new version of the email provider become the default by experience, but businesses can opt out during this temporary phase as they struggle to implement the update more effectively.
Microsoft admitted that it extended the deadline to give customers more time while it continues to add missing features and other improvements.
Article continues below.
Businesses can delay updating Outlook for another year
“We are extending the opt-out schedule and providing 12 months of delivery time while continuing to deliver key features and improvements,” Microsoft said in an update stating that it has seen “strong and accelerated adoption” of the new Outlook.
“We continue to invest heavily in expanding capabilities and addressing feedback from customers who want to go further with the new Outlook,” the company added.
Although Microsoft has given businesses another twelve months, delaying the opt-out phase for enterprise environments until March 2027, we have not been given an end date for support for Outlook classic.
Separate documentation states that “existing installations of Outlook classic via perpetual and subscription licenses will remain supported until at least 2029.”
Microsoft detailed that migrated users can follow the app’s prompts for onboarding support or can return to classic Outlook if necessary. However, while this may be an option for now, the company is urging customers to prepare for the update rather than being forced to do so at the last minute.
Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to receive news, reviews and opinions from our experts in your feeds. Be sure to click the Follow button!
And of course you can also follow TechRadar on TikTok for news, reviews, unboxings in video form and receive regular updates from us on WhatsApp also.
