Why is the "New" Outlook for Windows client so awful...deliberately???

Question

While I believe I understand some of the reasoning behind the marginally improved "New" Outlook while lamenting the overall deprecated experience - namely, an effort to normalize the look and feel across the desktop, mobile and web versions - the path taken is regressive in nature, at least for those of us who've long relied upon the desktop variant to manage much of their eMail, task and scheduling affairs.

I've been comfortable with the working knowledge that detailed work associated with eMail, tasks and scheduling has been the province of the desktop client, while the mobile and web versions offered very functional and not as detailed abilities.

Now, after having lived with the "new" Outlook desktop client for months now, I can conclude that the 'improvements' to this client when compared to its current and soon former versions is far less capable and far more mobile/web like in function - overall, a deprecated experience.

One notable issue is the mere fact that one can seemingly no longer remove attachments directly from an eMail. While this may seem trivial to some, having attachments to eMail AND the ability to download same simply increases the already arduous task of managing one's documents, while increasing the overall storage footprint (since these could now be stored in at least two places), which could represent increased subscription costs over time.

Microsoft, PLEASE revisit this intended direction for the desktop client, and instead consider introducing some of the long-favored desktop client functions into the mobile and web variants, in turn genuinely introducing "new" functionality all around.

Answer 1

Hello Wil,

Welcome to Microsoft Community. I am a Microsoft user just like you, I hope you are doing well.

Based on the information you provided, it seems that you are not satisfied with the new Outlook for Windows client and its features. You prefer the old Outlook for Windows client and its functionalities. You also have a specific problem with removing attachments from emails in the new Outlook for Windows client. I understand that this is a very frustrating and disappointing situation.

Here are some suggestions that you can try:

• If you want to remove attachments from emails in the new Outlook for Windows client, you can do so by right-clicking on the attachment and selecting Remove Attachment from the context menu. Alternatively, you can select the attachment and press the Delete key on your keyboard.

• If you want to switch back to the old Outlook for Windows client, you can do so by going to Settings > View all Outlook settings > General >New Outlook and turning off the toggle for Try the new Outlook. You can also click on the toggle button at the top right corner of the Outlook window. Note that this option may not be available to you if your admin has enforced the new Outlook for Windows client for your organization.

• If you want to provide feedback or report a problem with the new Outlook for Windows client, you can do so by going to Help > Feedback or Help >Support in the Outlook app.

You can also use the Feedback Hub app on your Windows device or visit the [Outlook for Windows feedback] page to share your thoughts and suggestions with us.

I hope this helps you with your Outlook for Windows issue.

Answer 2

I think you are right. They take every opportunity they get to screw up Outlook. First on PC's, and now on phones. Since these latest updates, Outlook on Android opens to a blank page, if it opens at all. I have cleared cache, uninstalled, and reinstalled over and over again. It will work for a little while, then it starts all over again. Now they want a sign in every time. That should be my choice. It is so annoying. Either they fix it ASAP, or I dump it.

I have tried many so called solutions by going into settings, and most of the options they say to use don't even exist. I am soooooo sick of it. Stop fixing what isn't broken by breaking it.

Answer 3

it is absol;utely awful if this is the best they can do Microsoft is done. no flexibility. I like to ope 2 2 versions on my desktop and switch between them and drag and drop items. new out look cannot do that at all. this will be a loser's version for sure.

Answer 4

Thank you for the swift reply.

Unfortunately, neither of those suggestions work in the NEW Outlook client. They work as suggested in the current Outlook client.

In taking your suggestions into account, I once again perused the settings in the NEW client and could not find any settings which toggled 'on' the option to remove an attachment from an eMail. My only recourse in the NEW client is to save the attachment, and then reply to the eMail - sending it to myself - in which case I receive the eMail without the attachment, thus permitting me to delete the original eMail/attachment....:(.

This is but one of a number of functional items that when taken alongside the new features in the NEW client, seem in the end to represent a compromise for the desktop client coupled to an overall less functional experience...franky, quite disappointing.

Hello Wil,

Welcome to Microsoft Community. I am a Microsoft user just like you, I hope you are doing well.

Based on the information you provided, it seems that you are not satisfied with the new Outlook for Windows client and its features. You prefer the old Outlook for Windows client and its functionalities. You also have a specific problem with removing attachments from emails in the new Outlook for Windows client. I understand that this is a very frustrating and disappointing situation.

Here are some suggestions that you can try:

• If you want to remove attachments from emails in the new Outlook for Windows client, you can do so by right-clicking on the attachment and selecting Remove Attachment from the context menu. Alternatively, you can select the attachment and press the Delete key on your keyboard.

• If you want to switch back to the old Outlook for Windows client, you can do so by going to Settings > View all Outlook settings > General >New Outlook and turning off the toggle for Try the new Outlook. You can also click on the toggle button at the top right corner of the Outlook window. Note that this option may not be available to you if your admin has enforced the new Outlook for Windows client for your organization.

• If you want to provide feedback or report a problem with the new Outlook for Windows client, you can do so by going to Help > Feedback or Help >Support in the Outlook app.

You can also use the Feedback Hub app on your Windows device or visit the [Outlook for Windows feedback] page to share your thoughts and suggestions with us.

I hope this helps you with your Outlook for Windows issue.

Answer 5

I have the same problem with no solutions. I think Microsoft is doing this to force you to use OneDrive. It is very unproductive. They also took away from the folder split screen where you can have favorites and all the folders below.