Microsoft has announced that from January 2026, Microsoft 365 Education users will be able to switch to a “modern, AI-powered” Outlook for Windows. The Redmond giant said that a new toggle will show up for eligible users that will let them decide whether to run classic Outlook or the new Outlook for Windows.
The new version, Microsoft said, brings numerous improvements including more streamlined communication, features to boost your productivity, and more ways to personalize your experience.
As this update is coming to Microsoft 365 Education accounts, it means it’ll affect both students and teachers. The refreshed interface more deeply integrates with Microsoft 365 Copilot to deliver: smarter email and calendar management with features such as Pinning and Snoozing; personalized themes that match your style and preferences; and Copilot-powered assistance to help you draft, summarize, and organize your emails and appointments.
Microsoft is obviously keen for users to switch over to the new interface when it's available to foist AI on you. However, if you are reticent about using these AI tools, you can always revert back to the classic Outlook for Windows, at least for a while after the new version is released.
The new toggle will begin rolling out globally next January. Before then, Microsoft 365 Education users will get in-app notifications ahead of the change to prepare them, and educational organizations will have the power to opt out or manage the experience through administrator settings.
While most Microsoft 365 Education users will get the toggle, there are some exceptions. These include: organizations that have opted out of automatic migration; users with perpetual licenses; on-premises account holders; and devices where the toggle is hidden via policy.
The upcoming changes will not require any administrative action during the rollout. Microsoft says administrators, if they want to, can notify users about the upcoming change; update their internal documentation; and review the documentation for Admin control over migration. The firm said that after the rollout, policy controls will become available through Group Policy Objects (GPO), Cloud Policy, and Intune.
In terms of compatibility with other platforms, the new Outlook for Windows will be compatible, including with Mac. Users will still be able to access their accounts normally through the Outlook app available for macOS or via the Outlook web app.
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