Microsoft is auto-installing ‘New Outlook’ with beta channel build 22631.2338

With the latest Windows 11 Beta channel build, Windows enthusiasts are witnessing a change. It appears Microsoft has begun pushing the New Outlook onto Windows Insiders.

Windows enthusiast and Twitter user PhantomOcean3 discovered that the Beta channel build 22631.2338 (KB5030305) automatically installed the new Outlook after a system reboot.

Looks like the new Outlook for Windows app might be automatically installed for you after updating to 22631.2338. I didn't go and download it myself, yet here it is. pic.twitter.com/MUdoSA3sKu

— PhantomOcean3 ???????? (@PhantomOfEarth) September 12, 2023

PhantomOcean3 conducted an impromptu Twitter poll to gather feedback and confirm updates from other users. As of the last count, it became evident that a fraction of the voters, approximately 28.8%, also received the new Outlook client following system updates.

If you've updated to 22631.2338, were the new Outlook for Windows app and/or Dev Home automatically installed after an additional reboot?

— PhantomOcean3 ???????? (@PhantomOfEarth) September 12, 2023

Brandon LeBlanc, Senior Program Manager of the Windows Insider Program, confirmed PhantomOcean3’s discovery. According to LeBlanc, the auto-installation of the new Outlook was, indeed, an expected move on Microsoft’s end.

However, the implementation is currently expected to occur on some systems only, indicating that Microsoft might be test-driving the feature. The move is possibly in preparation for an automatic installation breakthrough with the Windows 11 23H2 feature update. Still, its distribution might take on the more digestible rate of a gradual rollout.

Tracing the roots of the New Outlook back to May 2022, the project was an initiative by Microsoft to trial a new, redesigned, and revamped version of Outlook. The end goal of the initiative was to unify the Outlook application across all platforms, consequently leading to the project often being referred to as “One Outlook.”

Upon successfully passing the trial stages, Microsoft ventured into debuting the preview to the Current channel users. As of now, the feedback from users who have started using the new Outlook client is highly anticipated.

But for now, Microsoft’s Windows Insiders are poised to continue their explorations and to bring such interesting changes to light.