Microsoft recently announced that it is working on new Windows Update management policies for enterprise. These can be beneficial to safeguard against poor-quality Windows Quality updates like the one we covered earlier today that are leading to app install failures and other problems across Windows 11, 10, and Server.
The upcoming policy updates were shared by Microsoft on its Microsoft 365 (M365) admin center portal. Speaking of which, the company is also going to introduce another change much sooner, and this time in regard to the New Outlook for Windows per a new entry. According to it, the tech giant has essentially devised a new way to quietly get users onto the new app from the classic one without "forcing" it.
This has been high on the priority list for Microsoft to convince users and make them switch. In fact, in June earlier this year, the company published a blog post laying out all the benefits users get from switching and why the new application is not as bad as some users may feel.
To be fair to such users, they may have a reason to be upset at the company"s progress given that Microsoft"s focus has mainly been shifted towards adding Copilot elements to more of its apps, and Outlook has not been an exception. As such, features that users may feel are more useful are seemingly falling behind on the company"s priority list.
About the new change, Microsoft specifically notes how its intention is not to "force the launch or usage of new Outlook". Here is what it writes:
To simplify the transition experience, starting in October 2025, Microsoft Outlook will automatically set up users’ classic Outlook accounts and settings in the new Outlook for Windows—seamlessly and in the background—if certain conditions are met. This enhancement enables users to work across both Outlook experiences without manual setup or toggling.
Note: This update does not change the previously communicated migration opt-out timelines: January 2026 for EDU and April 2026 for Enterprise.
Note: This update does not force the launch or usage of the new Outlook, nor does it modify any existing classic Outlook settings or defaults.
Current Channel Production (General Availability): We will begin the roll out in October 2025 and continue to expand it over the next few months.
Microsoft also adds that this new feature will be "on by default and does not require user interaction unless opting out." Those who have access to the M365 Admin Center portal can view the message under ID MC1147392.