Why this lesson comes first
In Outlook, one feature can sit in a different place, or not exist at all, depending on which version you open. A step that works in classic Outlook may fail in new Outlook, and the phone app is different again. Before you learn any skill, find out exactly which Outlook you use on each device.
About this course: LevelUpWith's course is independent. It is not made, endorsed or reviewed by Microsoft. Microsoft changes Outlook's screens, features and plans often, so every feature status in this course says when it was checked. Recheck anything that matters to you on Microsoft's own support pages.
The five Outlooks you may meet
- New Outlook for Windows: the newer Windows app. It is built on the same base as the web version.
- Classic Outlook for Windows: the long-standing desktop app installed with Microsoft 365 or Office (for example Outlook 2021 or 2024).
- Outlook on the web: opened in a browser. Personal accounts use Outlook.com. Work and school accounts use Outlook on the web.
- Outlook for Mac: a separate app with its own menus.
- Outlook mobile: the iPhone/iPad and Android apps.
Think of them as one brand with five different layouts. The ideas are the same, but the controls are in different places.
Task 1: Check your Windows app
Open Outlook on your Windows PC and work through these checks in order:
- Look at the ribbon tabs. If there is a File tab at the far left, you are in classic Outlook. New Outlook has no File tab. Its ribbon shows tabs such as Home, View and Help.
- Look at the top-right corner. New Outlook has a Settings (gear) button there. Classic Outlook may show a Try the new Outlook toggle in the upper right instead.
- Confirm on the About screen.
- Classic: select File > Office Account (or File > Help if Office Account is missing). Your version is listed under Product Information. Select About Outlook for the full details.
- New: select Settings > General > About Outlook.
- Write down what you found, for example: "Work laptop: classic Outlook, Microsoft 365."
Note on switching: in new Outlook you can usually go back to classic with the New Outlook toggle or with Help > Go to classic Outlook. On a work device, IT may hide or turn off these toggles. Lesson 2 covers what IT can control.
Task 2: Check web, Mac and mobile
Web (any computer):
- Sign in and look at the address bar.
- outlook.live.com means Outlook.com (a personal Microsoft account).
- outlook.office.com or outlook.office365.com means Outlook on the web (a work or school account).
Mac:
- In the menu bar, select Outlook (next to the Apple logo).
- Select About Outlook and note the version.
Mobile:
- Open the Outlook app and go to Settings.
- On iPhone, select Help & Feedback and scroll to the bottom to see the version. On Android the wording and position may be slightly different.
Example: Priya works at a start-up. Her laptop runs new Outlook, she checks a personal Outlook.com inbox in Chrome, and she triages work mail on an Android phone. When a later lesson gives three sets of steps, she will follow three.
Task 3: Understand the migration timeline (checked November 2026)
Microsoft is moving Windows users from classic to new Outlook in three stages:
- Opt-in: new Outlook is available, and you choose whether to try it.
- Opt-out: new Outlook becomes the default, but you can still switch back to classic.
- Cutover: switching back is no longer possible.
The current status, as last checked in November 2026:
- For managed enterprise environments, Microsoft moved the start of the opt-out stage from April 2026 to March 2027.
- Microsoft has said managed customers will get at least 12 months' notice before cutover. Cutover therefore cannot start before March 2028.
- Microsoft has said classic Outlook will be supported until at least 2029.
These dates have already moved once. Recheck them on Microsoft's pages before you plan around them. If your IT team manages your PC, they decide when you are moved.
Task 4: Build your personal Outlook map
Do this now. Make a short table, on paper or in a note:
| Device | Outlook version | Account type (personal / work) |
|---|---|---|
| e.g. Work laptop | Classic Outlook | Work |
| e.g. Phone | Outlook for Android | Work + personal |
Then:
- Mark the version you use most. Follow that version's steps first in every lesson.
- Mark any device where IT manages Outlook. Some features there may be turned off.
- Keep the table. Later lessons on rules, search, calendars and Copilot will give different steps for desktop, web and mobile, and your map shows which steps apply to you.
Key takeaways
- A File tab means classic Outlook. A Settings gear in the top right with no File tab means new Outlook.
- About screens: classic uses File > Office Account > About Outlook. New Outlook uses Settings > General > About Outlook. Mac uses Outlook menu > About Outlook.
- The web address shows your account type: outlook.live.com is personal, and outlook.office.com is work or school.
- As of November 2026, the enterprise opt-out stage starts in March 2027, and classic Outlook is supported until at least 2029. Recheck these dates.
- This course is independent of Microsoft and gives a date for every feature status it describes.