Will there be a way to continue using Windows mail instead of the new Outlook?

Anonymous
2023-08-15T15:12:03+00:00

I keep seeing that Outlook is supposed to take over Windows Mail as the default mail app. But will the Windows Mail app still be available to use? I do not want to be forced to use Outlook. When I tried the preview, it had ads that I thought were my actual mail, and the app I find is just too busy overall. I don't want a bunch of stuff in the way of me reading my email. Windows Mail is simple, I like the interface, it's not too busy, and my mail is prominent within the window.

Edit 2025:
I got tired of the shenanigans and switched to Wino Mail app. I will likely switch to Linux OS in the future as MS is starting to go off the rails.

Outlook | Windows | Classic Outlook for Windows | For business

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Anonymous
2023-08-15T15:52:34+00:00

Hello Skeleton! My name is Jeremy and I’m happy to help you with your question.

Although Outlook will be the new default mail app, you can still change your default mail app back to Windows Mail and use Windows mail.

I understand your concern and appreciate your viewpoint so when the time comes do not worry you will still be able to use Windows Mail.

This change is referring to what apps are shipped with Windows 11 not that the apps will no longer work for old users.

Regards,

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  1. Anonymous
    2025-01-23T19:42:37+00:00

    If you have the time to try and disable the new Outlook, another thread here has several suggestions. It is a long thread and you will have to patiently scroll through many pages. The catch is that with each new Windows update, there is the possibility that the old Mail app will experience more problems.

    I can still use the old Mail App. I have disabled Outlook and when I click on "open Outlook" on the popup you mention nothing happens and I can continue to use the old Mail app.

    https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook_com/forum/outlk_win-outtop_new-outsub_ofh/how-to-stop-the-new-outlook-from-automatically/34246983-2a13-4462-8a8a-df618c36ca3f?messageId=f8534683-c145-4a79-8ea7-9bcaa4f4f88c&page=1

    Others have suggested Wino Mail (Free on Windows store), Thunderbird (free) and Mail Bird. If you search for, "Alternatives to Mail and Calendar" you will get lots of hits.

    I hope you find a solution that works for you.

    Kind regards

    Chris

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-01-23T17:45:43+00:00

    As of today, Mail will no longer work. When opening the app, I get a pop up, that I can not close, and my ONLY option is to switch to Outlook. I do not want to use Outlook, I want to continue using Mail, which works much better for me. Supported or not, that is my app of choice. Please fix this.

    Does anyone have a suggestion of another Mail app to use that is not Outlook?

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-01-23T13:33:26+00:00

    microsoft.windowscommunicationsapps_16005.14326.21422.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe.AppxBundle

    is the latest version that has not Outlook (new) toggle.

    microsoft.windowscommunicationsapps_16005.14326.22178.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe.AppxBundle

    is the newest version and the "worst" with that splash screen.

    We could pick up those appxbundle from Microsoft server: https://store.rg-adguard.net

    to install.

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  4. Anonymous
    2025-01-22T20:51:03+00:00

    I had previously disabled the new outlook. Today, when I went to use the old Mail app I saw this message. Image

    Out of curiosity I clicked, "open (the new) Outlook". Well nothing happened and I can continue to use the old Mail app without any problems. I can still send and receive mail. The new Outlook can't launch because I disabled it using one of the several methods mentioned online. There is a small rotating circle in the top right of the old Mail app showing that Outlook is trying to launch but can't proceed. But that doesn't bother me. So every time Mail opens, I just have to click "Open Outlook" and the old Mail app continues to work.

    Of course, later it may be the case that the old Mail app will really stop working. Then I will have no choice to switch to a new e mail client.

    Just in case anyone is interested, it is possible to download previous versions of the old Mail and Calendar app here: https://windows-mail-and-calendar.en.uptodown.com/windows/download/1046010608

    Kind regards

    Chris

    PS The Outlook remover tool that has previously been mentioned works by installing a "dummy" version of the new Outlook that can't launch. So when Windows tries to install the real New Outlook it can't because it reads the registry and thinks it's already installed. The developers also provide a tool for reversing all the changes that have been made in case anyone wishes to start from scratch and install the real outlook from Microsoft. Please read the "Reasme" file on their site for a full explanation of how it works. https://github.com/matej137/OutlookRemover

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