The impending discontinuation of the Windows Mail, Calendar, and People applications has been officially confirmed by Microsoft, with a clear deadline set for December 31, 2024. This announcement marks a significant transition for users who have relied on these legacy applications, as they will cease to function entirely after this date. Even those who prefer to resist the shift to the new Outlook app will find that the old Mail app will no longer be capable of sending or receiving emails.
Transitioning to Outlook
Microsoft’s updated support documentation outlines the forthcoming changes succinctly:
Support for Windows Mail, Calendar, and People will end on December 31, 2024. We’re currently in the process of moving existing users to the new Outlook for Windows. After December 31, 2024, users will no longer be able to send and receive email using Windows Mail and Calendar. Any local emails, calendar events, and contacts stored in Mail, Calendar, and People will remain exportable following the steps in Export emails and contacts from Windows Mail or People and import to new Outlook.
Previously, the support document only hinted at the end of support without detailing the implications for the applications’ core functionalities. Now, it is evident that Microsoft intends to transition all users to the new Outlook for Windows, effectively phasing out the older Universal Windows Platform (UWP) versions of Mail and Calendar that many have used since the Windows 10 era.
While Microsoft promotes the new Outlook as a free solution that offers “the best of Outlook,” user feedback tells a different story. Many have expressed dissatisfaction with the new app, citing its sluggish performance, limited features, and overall subpar user experience. This disconnect between Microsoft’s vision and user sentiment has led to frustration, as the company appears to be pushing a product that does not resonate well with its audience.
For numerous users, the prospect of switching to an alternative email client may seem far more appealing than adapting to the new Outlook for Windows, which has garnered a reputation for its shortcomings.
As the countdown to the end of support continues, users are encouraged to consider their options and prepare for this significant shift in their email and calendar management tools.
