Microsoft is reaching out to users of its Mail and Calendar app, urging them to transition to the free web-based Outlook platform. Many users have reported encountering pop-up notifications within the app, prompting this shift. The tech giant has set a firm deadline of December 31, 2024, by which users must complete their migration. Post this date, the app will revert to a read-only mode, allowing access only to emails and calendar entries saved prior to the deadline.
Transitioning to Outlook
In a recently published support document, Microsoft clarified that after the cutoff date, the Mail and Calendar app will no longer support active functionalities. However, users will have the option to export their existing data—including emails, contacts, and events—to the Outlook platform. Microsoft promotes its free Outlook service as equipped with essential security features, offering 15GB of mailbox storage and 5GB of cloud storage. Additionally, both web and mobile applications are available, with paid tiers for users requiring larger storage capacities and enhanced support.
Interestingly, just days prior to this announcement, users experienced issues with the Classic Outlook app, which crashed when attempting to open more than 60 emails simultaneously. This incident has added to the concerns surrounding the transition.
Despite Microsoft’s assurances that users will benefit from ‘the best of Outlook,’ many long-time users express reluctance to migrate to a cloud-based solution. The interface changes are particularly jarring for those who have relied on the traditional app for over two decades. The distinction between a standalone application and a cloud-based alternative is stark, leading to dissatisfaction among users who feel that the new experience lacks the reliability and functionality they have come to expect.
Given Microsoft’s historical approach to such transitions, it seems unlikely that the company will reverse its decision. Users may find themselves exploring alternative applications or voicing their concerns through the Microsoft Store as they adapt to this new digital landscape.
