If you are missing classic Outlook on a new computer or after a Windows or Office update, see Classic Outlook missing from computers
Microsoft has two "new" Outlooks, one for MacOS and one for Windows. The Windows version will replace Windows Mail & Calendar in late 2024. Microsoft is hoping to eventually replace classic Outlook with new Outlook, but that is years away. It's just not robust and lacks too many features.
While you cannot turn off the option to try the new Outlook in Windows mail, you can turn it off in classic Outlook for Windows.
Remove Try New Outlook switch
If you want to disable the option "Try the new Outlook", you need to set this registry key then restart Outlook.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\Options\General DWORD: HideNewOutlookToggle Value: 1
If you don't want to edit the registry, you can open the Run command using Windows key + R and paste the following into the box.
reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\Options\General" /v HideNewOutlookToggle /t REG_DWORD /d 00000001 /f
If you prefer to use .reg files, I have this ready-to-use registry file available:
HideNewOutlookToggle.reg
If you prefer to download as a compressed folder (.zip):
HideNewOutlookToggle.zip
Switch back to classic Outlook
To switch back to classic Outlook or Windows Mail, you will either have a New Outlook slider on the top right or an option on new Outlook's Help menu.
Slide New Outlook switch to the left to go back to classic Outlook (or windows Mail).
Click Go to classic Outlook (or Windows Mail.)
If you don’t have the slider to turn off the new Outlook or on the Help menu, and can’t find both Outlook's on your Start menu, you need to find Outlook.exe. It's under C:\Program Files (or C:\Program Files (x86)) at \Microsoft Office\root\Office16\OUTLOOK.EXE. Double click to run it then pin it to your Taskbar or Start menu.
If the new Outlook opens when you run outlook.exe, you'll need to edit the registry.
- Open the Registry Editor by typing regedit in the Start menu and open the registry editor when it comes up.
- Go to
Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\Preferences. - Find UseNewOutlook and double click on it.
- Set the Value Data field to 0.
If you don't want to edit the registry, you can open the Run command using Windows key + R and paste the following into the box.
reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\Preferences" /v UseNewOutlook /t REG_DWORD /d 00000000 /f
Or, if you prefer, I have a ready to use reg file you can download and run. It is available in both a .reg file and in a .zip file, if you prefer downloading zip files.
UseNewOutlook.reg
Or Zipped:
UseNewOutlook.zip
You can have both Outlooks pinned to the taskbar or start menu and both open at the same time.
Outlook for Mac
To switch between Legacy Outlook and New Outlook, go to the Outlook app menu and choose Legacy Outlook to toggle between versions. (The command weas previously named New Outlook.) You can also switch from the Help menu.
This command should block the new Outlook, hopefully even for updates:
Quit Outlook, open Terminal and paste then run this line:
defaults write com.microsoft.Outlook EnableNewOutlook -Integer 1
Possible values
0 = Switch hidden
1 = Switch displayed, default off
2 = Switch displayed, default on (default)
3 = New Outlook enabled with switch hidden
The above is from Set preferences for Outlook for Mac - Deploy Office | Microsoft Learn
Block New Outlook on Windows 10
Administrators can block new Outlook from being installed as part of the Windows 10 update by adding the following key. (This should work for anyone, but I have not tested it yet to confirm.)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\Orchestrator\UScheduler_Oobe REG_SZ: BlockedOobeUpdaters Value: ["MS_Outlook"]
If you don't want to edit the registry, open the Command Prompt using Run as Administrator paste the following command. (To open the Command Prompt, type cmd on the start menu or in the search box and choose Run as Administrator.)
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\Orchestrator\UScheduler_Oobe" /v BlockedOobeUpdaters /t REG_SZ /d ["MS_Outlook"] /f
TonyMoyeeCa says
The toggel is gone, but the Outlook(New) still keeps coming back every time I open a separate ICS calendar attachment OR an EML or MSG file.
Diane Poremsky says
That is not the toggle - that is the default for the file type. In Windows Settings, find Default apps then find Outlook and change the defaults for ics, msg, mailto and any others that are not set to classic Outlook.
TonyMoyeeCa says
it still doesn't work and as usual, Microsoft ain't got any permanent solution for their own incompetence
Diane Poremsky says
Can't disagree with "their own incompetence" LOL, especially if you talked to support. :)
Kevin says
I have been using new Outlook for long time and have a folder for my personal email, IMAP POP accounts. All has gone well until a few days ago. Outlook is not receiving any of my personal email account mail, yet my iPad and iPhone are receiving my emails. I've tried syncing, deleting my email account and reinstalling as per server settings. When I try to send an email from my account in Outlook to myself the mail goes into the draft folder and sits there for days but never gets sent on. What can I do next?
Diane Poremsky says
When it stops syncing, remove the account from Outlook and add it back. If asked to remove it from all devices, say no and see if it syncs to new outlook. If not, you need to remove it again and remove from all devices. (Then add it back to all devices as they will stop syncing.)
If you have calendar & contacts in the account, you need to export them. The exception is gm ail, yahoo, and iCloud - calendar and contacts sync with those servers.
Kevin says
Thank you, Diane, have done what you suggested, and it seems to have worked. New emails today have showed up in my account. 🙂 Kevin
Richard says
I have selected "classic" but continue to get the New Outlook. I checked the registry and the data value field is set to "0". Do you have any suggestions? I also need to set the outgoing server to POP rather than IMAP but I am not getting the option to do so. Again, any suggestions? Thank you.
Diane Poremsky says
So the UseNewOutlook value under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\Preferences is set to 0 and you keep getting new outlook? Did you use the reg file to set the key or edit it manually?
If you find and open outlook.exe, does classic open?
>>
I also need to set the outgoing server to POP rather than IMAP but I am not getting the option to do so.
>>
When adding the account to classic Outlook, before clicking connect. you need to click Advanced link and choose manual setup.
Curdo says
Thank you for this, I've been struggling with New Outlook since MS started pushing it. It is ugly, I don't like it, I am glad there's a way to block it! :)
John says
Many thanks for this, it clarifies a lot of things.
Just to be sure what we are talking about:
I already have Office Pro Plus 2021 which includes Outlook and works fine with PST files. I just bought Office Pro Plus 2024.
I'm I right to understand that your guide here for switching to "Classic" is intended to continue using Outlook the same way and, especially, continue using my existing PST files?As this is exactly what I need, thanks again.
Diane Poremsky says
Correct. Note that because it is the perpetual version, Microsoft is less aggressive at trying to get you to switch to new outlook. But I would still set the key to hide the switch in outlook.
Finn Sommer says
Dear Diane
I was searching the internet for answers on how to get rid of the annoying "New" Outlook, when I found your website where I found the answer.
Thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge with all of us:
mati says
thx! works fine!
OBXRON says
Can't thank you enough for perfect instructions to get rid of that Try New Outlook toggle. So easy to accidentally turn it on and so difficult to go back to a real, functional email program that Microsoft programmers totally ruined "to make it better'.
Noel Clark says
Diane,
I'm in my early 80s and in Australia. I have no family members here who can assist me. Whilst I am competent with software, I am out of my depth when it comes to the technology and "technospeak."
I have a Dell laptop that sits on my desk, Windows 10, and I don't want to change that. I don't know what version I have, or the version of Outlook, and don't know how to find either, but my computer seems to update regularly so I assume I must have close to the latest versions.
I was forced onto "New Outlook" back in September 2024, when my internet and email provider changed server settings, and the Geek who came to my home to assist me could not get Classic Outlook back to work. He was able to keep what I had in Classic Outlook, so all my historical information is preserved, but that "Classic Outlook" is not hooked up to the internet. He then installed "New Outlook" for me.
My version of New Outlook works, and has all sorts of inadequacies which are well known, and I joined a Microsoft Community Group to try and sort some of them out. To no avail.
At the top of my Outlook screen I can see "Home," "View," and "Help." I recently became aware that under "Help" there is an option that reads "Go to Classic Outlook." I am terrified of using it, for fear of losing everything. Searches seem to say that it will work, although a minority say that it will not, and I will lose everything.
I seek your advice on what to do.
I do hope that you will be able to assist me.
Thank you.
Diane Poremsky says
You shouldn't lose anything switching back to classic Outlook, especially if using IMAP or Microsoft exchange account in classic. (POP3 is download inbox only.)
Any error messages when you try to use classic outlook?
Marcus says
hello
I am marcus and i use windows 10, i tried to config the mail to stop. but now it show this message
This message block everything and if i press the grey button, it opens outlook
do you know to to remove this message?
Diane Poremsky says
Microsoft killed Mail. The only thing you can do is Export the data and then import into new Outlook (or another app). Sorry.
Marcus says
So sad..... Thank you very much for answering
Dwass says
I'm trying to help my dad with this issue. I'm a Mac user who has avoided all Microsoft products for the last two decades just because of nonsense like this. Anyway, my dad noticed the force switch when he clicked on an email link in the body of an email in classic Outlook. It opened New Outlook and presented a page for connecting his accounts to New Outlook. We have not connected anything. I tried to follow your instructions above. First I searched for the toggle switch in New Outlook, but I did not find one - maybe because we haven't activated New Outlook?? so I tried to modify the Registry keys as described above, but his computer does not have the UseNewOutlook key.
Any advice?
Diane Poremsky says
If the key does not exist, add it. Or use the reg file I have - https://www.slipstick.com/doit/UseNewOutlook.reg
If new Outlook is open, look on the Help tab - for Go to classic Outlook.
Curtis says
When trying to remove the toggle option using reg edt. the general tab is not under options. under Outlook tab there is a "NewOutlook" tab idk if they updated to try and hide this optiion better.
Caio says
Simply lovely, worked like a charm!
Carlos says
Worked perfectly. At last I could get rid of that annoying toogle in the corner! Thank you very much.
shanda says
To Anthony Fox, user error. I did not have this issue with her content. You shouldn't try things if you don't understand what you're doing. Be nice...not an "Ahole" as you say...
shanda says
I have followed your content for years. Just wanted to drop in and thank you for all that you do. Merry Holiday Seasons Greetings to you and yours. Be well and have a prosperous New Year!
anthony fox says
I ried this and my computer locked up. I spent the netire day doing a factory reset - thanks Ahole !!
Jim says
I am trying to switch my Outlook to Classic Outlook and am having no success. My version is the following: Microsoft Outlook Version 1.2024.1204.300 (Production).
Client Version is 20241206007.12.
WebView2 Version is 131.0.2903.99. I went to the web page I was forwarded to after clicking on the button in the help menu the says "Go to Classic Outlook" and I installed it. When I could not find a icon or a listing in the Start menu, I followed your advice and located the Outlook.exe file which was in the location C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\OUTLOOK.EXE and double clicked on it and when it opened it was version 2016 not 2021 and my activation key would not work. . The new Outlook version is horrible and will not allow me to import my 1000s of old email from Outlook 2003 which I have been using without a problem for decades. How do I get to the correct Classic Outlook 2021?
Diane Poremsky says
Did you install 2021 and activate it?
Go to file > Office account and click change license on the right side. sign in using the account the 2021 license is linked to - ifi t is the same as 2016, you'll be asked to choose which license to use.
Fred says
After the latest Windows update the new version is installed every time after restart of the computer. The regedit keys don´t the job.
I found out the new Outlook version is in the following folder:C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.OutlookForWindows_1.2024.925.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe.
I prevented the installation of the new Outlook bij renaming of the folder Microsoft.OutlookForWindows_1.2024.925.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe.
To do this I had to become owner of the ( Hidden) folder C:\Program Files\WindowsApps.
How to change owner is written here: https://www.guidingtech.com/how-to-access-windowsapps-folder-on-windows/
Diane Poremsky says
Are you using Outlook or Windows Mail? Updates definitely will keep trying to switch from Mail, but I have not had an issue with classic Outlook.
Fred says
Thanks Diane for the keys. I still have the slider and from today also another aditional screen from MS where they say Mail and Agenda becomes Outlook and they invite me to use the new Outlook instead. But thanks to all the registry changes it stops to install Outlook every time.
Diane Poremsky says
That second screen refers to the Windows Mail app, not Outlook classic that ships with Office software. The registry keys only apply to Office Outlook.
Fred says
Do you main the screen is from Mail&agenda?
Diane Poremsky says
I might be misunderstanding exactly what you meant by "also another aditional screen from MS where they say Mail and Agenda becomes Outlook" - I thought you meant it was the actual Mail window, but if it's an informational dialog, then its just reminding you that new Outlook is replacing mail. I've seen that dialog come up a few times when using windows mail.
Debbie says
How can I go back to Classic Outlook? I don't like the new outlook at all. I don't see any options on the new outlook to switch back.
Diane Poremsky says
Try View tab > View settings > General > About Outlook.
Chris says
Thanks for the reg key Diane. You saved me again!!
Ian says
I am using office 2013 and the registry key suggested (HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.......) shows Office\15. There is no option to access Outlook\Options\General.
Diane Poremsky says
That registry key is only for Outlook 16 - Outlook 2016 and all newer versions. do you have a "Try new Outlook" slider in Outlook 2013?
Ian Ingleby says
Yes, I do have the "try new slider"
Alan says
Earlier I posted that it works but now It seems MS has changed again and this no longer works anymore, looking for another workaround.
Diane Poremsky says
Both keys - to change the new Outlook value and hide Try new Outlook slider - are still working here.
I noticed 2 new keys for NewOutlookRenudge* - StartDate and Watermark. Not sure what they do exactly, but they did not affect changing the usenewoutlook value or hiding the switch.
Diane Poremsky says
Sorry the original screenshot was not very readable. :( This one is better.
Martín says
At July 11th, it doesn't work at least for my laptop. I've the original Outlook (old good one) and it redirects to the new shitty one. I've followed all the steps and I can't find a solution to open the old Outlook
Diane Poremsky says
Were you using classic Outlook windows mail? They've now added a button the new outlook's Settings - View tab > View settings > General > About Outlook to go back to windows mail.
Debbie says
I think it was Windows mail
Diane Poremsky says
If you had Windows mail, you can switch back in View tab > View settings > General > About Outlook- there is a button there to revert. But Windows Mail is going away soon.
Alan says
Nice, works perfectly
Rick says
There are no such folders for the old or new version of Outlook. There are no buttons to slide or in the help folder. There are no preferences in hkeycurrentuser. Only Options/General/hidenewoutlook reg dword. it's like they have hidden the folders so you can't revert or even find them locally.
Diane Poremsky says
Were you using windows Mail or classic Outlook?
Microsoft is removing the slider for Windows Mail users in anticipation of completely replacing it laster this year. You should have the switch in classic Outlook - unless you set the key to hide it.
gracer says
I'm having the same issue. I get this far: "Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\" but then the only option is "Resiliency", there is no "Preferences"
Diane Poremsky says
Were you using Windows Mail or classic Outlook? You should have preferences if you are using outlook.
Monica says
Thank you! I used the regedit suggestion and it brought back the toggle. Unfortunately I have a (pre-existing) separate issue so I'm still stuck with "new" XD
Ahmad Mohammad says
I do greatly appreciate your information on outlook. I remember you did help me a couple of years ago with my outlook 2007 problems and gave me correct server settings of my pop3 and smtp servers. Now again, I have problems with my outlook 2007 and cannot log into my incoming pop3 server. I have a microsoft account and I can get emails online and I have enabled pop option in new outlook to download incoming messages to my desktop outlook 2007. However, I cannot get new emails now. I have another pop3 account in my outlook 2007 and that works OK with both sending and receiving new emails. I deleted my @msn.com account and recreated it, but with no effect.
The settings for my pop3 incoming server are: outlook.office365.com and for smtp server are smtp.mail.outlook.com. The port for incoming server is 995 and encryption is SSL and for smtp, port is 587 with TLS encryption. I get the error 0x800421A - login to incoming mail server (POP3) failed. Please do help me as I depend on my emails every day and would not like to part with outlook 2007, because I have a lot of organized folders with important old emails in them. Nevertheless, I would gratefully and respectfully accept your sincere advise and if I would need to ditch outlook 2007 and take new outlook for windows as a substitute, I will do it.
Looking forward to your expert and kind advice on this. I have been trying to solve this issue now for more than a week, but with no success. Please help me out. Ahmad Mohammad
Diane Poremsky says
Microsoft is tightening security and preventing some older clients to connect. I'll test it and see if 2007 is now blocked.