Many users have expressed their preference for Outlook over Gmail, citing its robust features and functionality. However, the transition to the ‘New Outlook’ has left some users longing for the familiarity of the old Mail and Calendar app. This shift, particularly after Microsoft began automatically upgrading users, has prompted a wave of discontent among those who found comfort in the previous version.
You can easily eliminate the new Outlook, without worrying about having it back
For those who wish to revert to the classic experience, a solution has emerged in the form of a batch file named ‘OutlookRemover.’ This tool allows users to restore the Mail and Calendar app permanently on their PCs. To initiate the process, users can download the batch file from GitHub, unpack the ZIP file, and run the outlook.bat file as an administrator. This straightforward approach is all it takes to reclaim the beloved Mail and Calendar app, as shared by user u/Ryarralk.
The developers of this batch file have provided insights into its functionality:
This script prevents the Outlook (new) app from installing by installing a custom blank app with the same package ID as the original one, thus making its installation fail. To do this, it enables developer mode via the registry and registers the modified New Outlook manifest as an unpacked Appx package.
This batch file is compatible with both Windows 10 and 11, ensuring a seamless installation experience across different operating systems, including 32-bit versions of Windows 10.
The new Outlook lets you open Mail and Calendar, but there is a catch
Interestingly, the “New Outlook” toggle was removed from the Mail and Calendar app months prior to the widespread rollout of the new version. Yet, Microsoft discreetly added a button within the New Outlook app’s settings that allows users to open the old Mail and Calendar app. Users can access this feature by navigating to Settings, then General > About Outlook, and clicking the Open Mail now button. However, this method only provides temporary access; once the session ends, users will find themselves back in the New Outlook app upon reopening.
To revert to the Mail and Calendar app, users must repeat this process each time they wish to switch back. Fortunately, with the advent of the batch file, users can now resist Microsoft’s attempts to enforce the new Outlook, at least for the time being. However, it remains uncertain whether this workaround will continue to function in the future, as Microsoft may address this loophole similarly to how it managed previous system requirement bypasses for Windows 11.
