Microsoft Offers Classic Outlook Interface Option for New Versions

Microsoft is providing users with an option to revert to a familiar interface within the new Outlook application for Windows 10 and 11. A new theme, gradually being deployed starting August 2026, allows users to replicate the classic Outlook look.

The objective is to offer a more comfortable user experience for those accustomed to older versions, while retaining all functionalities of the new Outlook. This theme can be enabled within Outlook's settings under 'General' and 'Appearance'.

Following these changes, the new Outlook's title bar, icons, and folder list will more closely resemble the classic version. For instance, the blue title bar will be replaced by a solid dark background. Icons for mail, calendar, and contacts will also adopt a monochromatic style.

In the updated views, icons next to email folders such as the Inbox will be removed to create a more compact layout. Furthermore, the email composition window will feature new tabs, including 'Send/Receive', 'File', 'Home', 'View', and 'Help', and the 'New Email' button will adopt a classic icon.

Although the interface mimics classic Outlook, the application operates in the background as the new Outlook, which is a web-based application running within an Edge container.