Microsoft Makes New Outlook Look More Like Classic Outlook

New Outlook is getting a Classic Outlook-inspired theme that should make the app feel more familiar to users moving away from the older desktop client.

Microsoft announced the change through Microsoft 365 Message Center advisory MC1458476. The theme will be available in New Outlook for Windows and Outlook on the web.

Classic Outlook look comes to New Outlook

The new theme changes several parts of the New Outlook interface to make it resemble Classic Outlook more closely.

Microsoft says the theme adjusts icons, visual styling, typography, layout, and some interactions.

The changes remain mostly cosmetic. Users will still get the same New Outlook features and functionality underneath the updated appearance.

The theme also does not switch users between Outlook versions. Enabling it will not migrate anyone from Classic Outlook to New Outlook, and it will not change mailbox data, migration policies, or existing configurations.

Classic Outlook users will remain unaffected.

Microsoft may enable it for some migrated users

Microsoft plans to keep the Classic theme disabled by default for most users.

However, the company may automatically enable it for some people who recently migrated from Classic Outlook to New Outlook. This could make the transition less jarring for users accustomed to the older interface.

The rollout starts with Targeted Release in August 2026 and should finish for those users by the end of September.

Microsoft plans to begin general availability in late September 2026, with the broader rollout expected to finish by late October 2026.

The change comes as Microsoft continues adjusting both versions of Outlook. Copilot is currently going missing from Classic Outlook, while KB5121003 has caused Outlook problems for some ARM64 users.

Microsoft is also developing a feature that would let Copilot Chat float inside Outlook.

Via Neowin