Microsoft is steering users from the Classic Outlook desktop app to a more web-app-centric approach, termed simply as Outlook. This change signifies a broader push toward cloud-based application environments where the web versions are nearly as robust as their desktop counterparts. By reducing the aesthetic and functional differences between the desktop and web versions, Microsoft aims to streamline support and enhance usability across various platforms.
All things must change – including Outlook. You may be aware that I am a big fan of Outlook-on-the-web; I even wrote about 12 things that I love about it, compared to Outlook desktop, which will now be called Classic Outlook.
You may also be aware that Classic Outlook (the desktop app) will undergo changes to adopt the Outlook-on-the-web experience. I have heard complaints as all changes can be frustrating, especially to functionality you use daily. To be honest, I am happy with less difference in appearance between desktop and web.
I have supported an organization where most employees had a F3-license, meaning they only had the web version, while others had the desktop app with a completely different look-and-feel. Support might get easier once everyone is used to a new interface, even if there are differences in functionality.
It fits a trend – all web apps have gotten more functionality over the years, looking increasingly similar to their desktop counterparts, leaving fewer reasons to use the desktop apps. Of course, some people will need to add a watermark to a document, do a mail merge, or connect a database to a spreadsheet, functions exclusive to the desktop app at the moment. But as a “normal” user, I have used the web versions for years and haven't missed much functionality-wise.
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