The following articles were included in our Exchange Messaging Outlook (EMO) newsletter published on October 20, 2026.
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Today's Highlights »
- Classic Outlook Is Getting a Visual Refresh
- Office 2021 Support Has Ended
- Coming Soon: Automatic Template Replies in Rules
- Reminder: Before You Get a New Phone
- Outlook for Android: Select Multiple Search Results
Lots of little things this week...
Classic Outlook Is Getting a Visual Refresh
Not a full makeover, but a modest interface update with refreshed icons and improved spacing and alignment. Beginning in November 2026, Microsoft plans to roll out this “visual update” to make classic Outlook look more like new Outlook, Outlook on the web, and Outlook for Mac, helping users find commands more easily.
The changes are purely visual. All existing features will continue to work as before.
I have not seen the new icons yet, but I hope Microsoft does not bring the subdued icons from new Outlook and Outlook for Mac to classic Outlook. I prefer classic Outlook’s more colorful icons, as well as its theme in new Outlook and Outlook on the web.
Microsoft has not said whether every version of classic Outlook will receive the update. In the past, new icons were limited to Microsoft 365 and were not added to perpetual-license versions.
Office 2021 Support Has Ended
Support for Office 2021 and its related apps ended on October 13, 2026. Users will no longer receive security updates or technical support. To remain protected and supported, individuals and organizations still using Office 2021 should upgrade to Office 2024 or subscribe to Microsoft 365.
Although home users may be less concerned about security updates, businesses and other organizations should strongly consider upgrading.
Coming Soon: Automatic Template Replies in Rules
Starting this month, new Outlook for Windows and Outlook on the web will add a Rules action that automatically replies using saved templates. The feature will first roll out to Targeted Release customers in late October into November 20206, with general availability planned for December 2026.
From Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 567318
Reminder: Before You Get a New Phone
If you use two-factor authentication (2FA) with an authenticator app, confirm that each account has at least two other sign-in or recovery methods before you erase or trade in your current phone. For Microsoft accounts, do not rely solely on text messages. Add two recovery email addresses or set up an authenticator on another device.
On the new phone, you will usually need to verify each account again in the authenticator app. Some apps, such as Authy, store account information online and sync it to a new device, but others do not.
If possible, keep the old phone for at least a few days before trading it in. Because authenticator apps work over Wi-Fi, you can use the old phone to retrieve the codes needed to set up the new one.
I keep my old phones (because they are usually about five years old and have little trade-in value). This makes it easy to restore authenticator accounts or approve a sign-in when my new phone is unavailable.
Outlook for Android: Select Multiple Search Results
Microsoft is bringing Outlook for Android closer to feature parity with iOS by allowing users to select multiple search results and apply bulk actions, such as deleting all selected messages.
This capability is already available in mail folders, where users can press and hold the first message, then tap other message avatars to select them. Adding it to search results will make mailbox cleanup easier.
The feature should begin rolling out soon.
New & Updated Outlook Support Articles
Classic Outlook issues with service assisted search for shared mailboxes
Copilot buttons are missing in classic Outlook for Windows
Voicemail audio attachments might not be visible in classic Outlook
Other Resources
Add Holidays to Outlook's Calendar
Create a Custom Holiday File (HOL) to share any type of all day event with other Outlook users. We include a sample file that counts the days since Jan1 and the number of days left in the year.
Microsoft 365 (AI at Work) Roadmap
A searchable list of new and upcoming features for Microsoft 365 apps.
Office 2016 Administrative Template files (ADMX/ADML) and Office Customization Tool
This download includes Group Policy Administrative Template (ADMX/ADML) and Office Customization Tool (OPAX/OPAL) files for Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2016 and Office 365 ProPlus 2016 apps.