Alongside the new ribbon design heading to Office Online today, Microsoft is pushing out a redesigned Outlook on the web and Windows. Initially previewed in June, the updates are largely focused on search, simplifying the ribbon, and additional options to personalize your inbox.
The biggest emphasis is on giving users the ability to customize their experience, Microsoft says. You'll be able to toggle features on and off, including the new ribbon. A dedicated "Coming Soon" opt-in toggle will let you decide whether you want to try new major feature updates as they become available, allowing you to switch them off as needed.
Here's the full rundown of what's new, from Microsoft:
- Customize your experience – As a productivity powerhouse, Outlook comes loaded with many features, but we've learned that most of you don't always need them all, all the time. We are giving you options to make the Outlook experience your own with the ability to simplify the ribbon, personalize your inbox, and apply additional themes.
- Get things done faster – The updates make reading, composing, and taking action in emails and meetings faster. A more responsive web development framework and a modern design lets you see, read and respond to emails and meeting invitations, and attach files quicker.
- Stay organized – Intelligent technology, highlights, special icons and visual changes provide a modern calendar view to help you focus on your day and week, speeds up the process of creating and sending meeting requests, and help manage your time.
These updates will first be available for Outlook for Windows users on the Targeted Monthly Channel and Targeted Release program "in the next few weeks." The experience is also rolling out to Outlook on the web for Targeted Release organizations that haven't blocked the toggle.
