Disable auto-delete of accepted meeting invites in the *new" Outlook?

I recently started using the “New Outlook”, and while there are many improvements, there’s one change that has been incredibly frustrating. In this new version, Microsoft has removed the option to retain emails containing meeting invitations after accepting the meeting. Now, every time I accept a meeting invitation, the email is automatically deleted.

This change is more than just an inconvenience; it’s a significant problem. Meeting invitations often contain crucial information that I need to refer back to. Details such as the agenda, preparatory materials, links to relevant documents, and even specific instructions from the meeting organizer are all embedded in these invitations. Losing access to this information can disrupt my preparation and participation in meetings.

For example, I recently accepted a meeting invitation that included a detailed agenda and a link to a shared document that I needed to review beforehand. Once I accepted the invitation, the email disappeared, and I had to scramble to find the information again. This not only wasted my time but also added unnecessary stress to my day. It’s baffling that someone decided to remove the option to keep accepted meeting emails. This feature was incredibly useful, and its absence is keenly felt. I understand that some users might prefer a cleaner inbox, but for many of us, having the ability to retain these emails is essential for staying organized and prepared.

Moreover, meeting invitations often contain follow-up actions or additional context that is not always transferred to the calendar event. For instance, there might be a note about bringing specific documents to the meeting or a reminder to complete a task beforehand. Without the original email, these important details can easily be overlooked, leading to confusion and inefficiency.

Another issue arises when meetings are rescheduled or cancelled. The original invitation email often contains the rationale for the change, which can be important for understanding the context and adjusting plans accordingly. Without access to this information, it becomes challenging to keep track of the evolving schedule and the reasons behind it.

Additionally, in many professional settings, meeting invitations serve as a record of communication. They can be referenced later to verify what was agreed upon or to resolve any misunderstandings. Automatically deleting these emails removes this valuable record, potentially leading to disputes or miscommunications that could have been easily avoided.

It’s also worth noting that not all meeting details are transferred to the calendar event. Attachments, for example, are often included in the invitation email but not always accessible through the calendar entry. Losing the email means losing access to these important documents, which can hinder preparation and productivity.

Furthermore, the automatic deletion of meeting invitation emails can disrupt workflows that rely on email-based reminders and follow-ups. Many people use their email inbox as a todo list, and having the invitation email visible serves as a reminder of the upcoming meeting and any associated tasks. Removing this email can lead to missed deadlines and overlooked responsibilities.

I can’t help but wonder what was going through the mind of the person who decided to enforce this behavior in the New Outlook. Perhaps they were aiming to streamline the user experience by reducing inbox clutter, assuming that all necessary information would be transferred to the calendar event. While this might work for some users, it overlooks the diverse ways in which people manage their emails and schedules. It’s a one-size-fits-all approach that doesn’t account for the varied needs of different users.

Maybe the decision was driven by a desire to simplify the interface and reduce the cognitive load on users. However, this well-intentioned move has inadvertently created more problems than it solved. By not making this feature optional, Microsoft has taken away a crucial aspect of email management that many of us rely on. It’s a reminder that even small changes in software functionality can have a significant impact on user experience.

I urge Microsoft to reconsider this decision. Please make the feature optional rather than forced. Allow users to choose whether they want to keep or delete meeting invitation emails after accepting them. This flexibility would cater to different user preferences and ensure that those of us who rely on this information are not left in the lurch.

Thank you for considering this request. I hope that Microsoft will listen to its users and bring back the option to retain meeting invitation emails. It would make a significant difference in our productivity and overall user experience. By providing this option, Microsoft can accommodate the diverse needs of its user base and enhance the functionality of the New Outlook.

A solution for in the new outlook:

Create an email-rule in outlook that copies all emails that contain an invite or a mention of a meeting to a folder called 'Meeting Invitations' (or smt else).

(I made a couple similar rules for redundancy, but I think this is the one that makes it work.)

NB: it can take a while before it works, I thought this failed but then the next day everything was nicely sorted according to these rules.

Cheers,

M

Hi Product Development Team,

Please don't make the auto-delete the default. Make auto-delete the option that users enable in their settings.

Setting auto-delete from email after replying as a system-wide default makes using Outlook calendar invitations much less effective unless the person you're inviting is exclusively using Microsoft platforms. Most people--I'm thinking of Gen Z college students here--use a combo of platforms (gmail, outlook, Trello, etc), and are not using their Outlook calendar as their main and only scheduling platform. I love Outlook, but also want people to see (and remember) upcoming events.

LIKE THIS COMMENT IF YOU AGREE.

Did you get enough feedback to resolve this? I spent hours to disable this feature in outlook and outlook new has done it again!

Microsoft, please stop removing features.

Stop scaring us with new updates!

SOOOOOOOO insane that this has not been fixed. We are literally considering abandoning outlook because of this one issue. We can't forward meeting invites to team members....invites don't show up on the general office calendar. It is so stupid of them to set this as a default and then not be able to change the setting anywhere.