I’ve had a few people ask me if they can use their old versions of Outlook on Windows 10 or 11.
I'm a realist. I know some consumers (and some businesses) can't afford to upgrade with every new Office version and want to make their purchase last as long as possible. But there comes a time when you need to say "Enough. Time to bite the bullet and upgrade."
The short version: Yes, older versions of Outlook will work on Windows 11. Some features might not work well (like Instant Search) but it should send and receive mail and handle calendar and contacts ok. You may not be able to use it to connect to an Exchange server, but it should work fine with POP and IMAP accounts.
Search Solution: remove Outlook from Windows Search or set a registry key to use the old, slower built-in search function.
Office 2021 is now available, but don’t get “new version envy” if you have Office 2016, 2019 or 365. If you have Office 365, you have the newest version of Office. Office 2021 is newer than Office 2016 and 2019, but many users won’t get much benefit in upgrading (besides a lighter wallet), especially if they don’t use an Exchange mailbox. Most of the new features are targeted to business users, not POP and IMAP. Office 2021 is Office 16.0, same as Office 2016, 2019 and 365. Addins, registry hacks and file paths are identical between the four versions. Many features are identical.
If there are new features it has that you’d like, consider a subscription to Office 365 instead. If you are a frequent upgrader and need the latest and greatest, or have more than one computer, it can be less expensive overall.
I have a newer version of Outlook myself, but I can understand why they would want 2007. It is superior. It was the last version to where you could find at any level. Newer versions are dumbed down to where you have to know where it is stored before you search. Also it it has text menus instead of hieroglyphics that annoy the literate
Search should work in all folders - choose the current mailbox or all mailboxes search.
The menus and ribbon should have both icons and text - except for the Quick Access Toolbar - but the newest builds of Office 365 subscription let you show text labels in the qat.