How to permanently prevent Outlook for Mac from switching to the new GUI?

Hello Darpan,

Thank you for the quick answer. I will of course be happy to share information.

For people that may read this: progress and changes are part of technology development. Not against that at all. What I do have a problem with is the choice of a developer/supplier to make changes to a user's set-up without asking, or without the option to prevent that change.

Over the last years, the New Outlook for Mac has been pushed to users. An automatic push like this last one (I cannot prevent it: I have to just let it happen and hope it will not break something, doesn't corrupt a database, or causes data loss), is very invasive and very user-unfriendly. In the past, the New Outlook proved to not offer the same features, mess up a user's set-up and even caused loss of data and, in my opinion even worse, make a user lose a lot of time on setting everything back up as it was before.

It is known that not all functionality is available. It is also a fact that the latest "improvements" are not for everyone. Outlook for Mac, for many business users, is an essential productivity tool they rely on every day. Their mail database (online, but more importantly offline) is a historic collection of primary and essential business data. A disruption can have a drastic impact. An imposed change, without asking the user, IMHO, is a really bad practice.

Whether I like it or not, Outlook simply tells me it will start up with the New Outlook experience when I restart the app.

I DON'T WANT THIS TO HAPPEN.

Does it back up the state it is in completely? Does it keep a backup of the database, should anything go wrong? Will it put everything in the exact same place as before? Will all preferences return to their original state? Can I be sure I can revert without any glitches?

I would warmly welcome a preview version of a New Outlook for Mac, that would be installed next to the original, unchanged Outlook app. A separate database, a separate app, a separate experience. One where I can compare and decide whether I like to switch to the new experience. One that allows me to first see the impact of that change and verify all features I need are offered and whether new features are worth the change.

I don't think you really do listen. People have been complaining about this new version ever since it came out but you haven't fixed any of the problems. The new version is terrible! Why take away simple functions like "add a folder at this level?"

It looks like you are now forcing us all to use the new version. I for one will be looking for another option to replace outlook.

The new version is appalling, and lacks countless features the current version has.

Microsoft either needs to allow us to keep the current version, or they really need to improve the new one to bring it up to spec with the old one.

Shame on you Microsoft for being such bullies.

So, had to do an unwanted forced restart and was presented with the 'new' New Outlook. My opinion remains the same.

I'd like to be able to set a preference to prevent this from happening a next time. I have opted out a couple of times and I wish to be able to make not using the New Outlook my default.

Local folders don't seem to work.

The interface is not an improvement.

Some IMAP servers don't seem work.

Google repeatedly asks for relinking.

Default e-mail account preference is lost.

Overall, it's a less productive environment.

I do not like the New Outlook for Mac.

I do not wish to use the New Outlook for Mac.

I don't understand why there's no option to have a New Outlook installed as a separate app, instead of forcing me to repeatedly try and revert. My suggestion is to offer a trial once the New Outlook for Mac is ready and stable and offers at least the same as what's available today, with added features to make it worthwhile to switch.

NEW OUTLOOK FOR MAC, automatic forced trial

I have the same issue. I need to use outlook for work.

I have not even explored the many deficiencies that other users noticed, because New Outlook for Mac does not meet even my most modest minimum requirements.

Forcing me to try again and again, a product that is of no use to me, is an imposition. I bought a permanent license and I want to keep the legacy version, full stop.

I have no issue with the GUI, but a "New Outlook for Mac" that DOES NOT SUPPORT apple icloud mail has got to me the most mindless "innovation" any technical or strategic mind can conceive. It is an unfinished, useless product.

(Do you seriously think you can convince icloud users to use New Outlook for their personal needs? By offering an "experience" that is incompatible with icloud email, calendar and contacts????).

This is beyond human - or artificial intelligence - comprehension.

Please find a way to kill New Outlook permanently, until you support icloud mail, contacts, calendar.