How to get Read Aloud restored to New Outlook

Question

I’m writing to express concern about the removal of the “Read Aloud” feature during email composition in the new version of Outlook. This functionality was available in the classic Outlook desktop app and was a valuable tool for accessibility, proofreading, and clarity—especially for users with visual impairments, dyslexia, or those who benefit from auditory review.

In the new Outlook, while Narrator support for reading received emails is appreciated, the ability to highlight and listen to drafted text before sending is no longer available. This change has impacted my workflow and reduced the accessibility of the platform.

Please consider restoring this feature in future updates. It was not only practical but also aligned with Microsoft’s commitment to inclusive design and accessibility.

Thank you for your attention and consideration.

Answer 1

Dear @Morgan Carl, 

Thank you for posting your question in the Microsoft Q&A forum.   

We truly appreciate your thoughtful feedback regarding the absence of the “Read Aloud” feature during email composition in the New Outlook for windows. We understand how important this functionality is for accessibility, proofreading, and clarity, especially for users who benefit from auditory review. 

As of now, the Read Aloud feature in the new Outlook primarily supports reading received emails through the Immersive Reader. Unfortunately, the ability to use Read Aloud while composing emails is not currently available in the new Outlook interface. 

 

To help you get the most out of Teams in the meantime, you might find these workarounds useful: 

Option 1: Compose emails using Word or OneNote online 

You can use Word online or OneNote online as a workaround before sending your email via Outlook. 

Sign in to your account at office.com, navigate to the Apps section, and select either Word or OneNote to begin composing your email.  

 

Start a new document or notebook and compose your email content. 

Click on “View” tab > Select “Immersive Reader”. 

Once reviewed, copy the text and paste it into your Outlook email. 

Option 2: Switch to Classic Outlook  

If your organization allows, you may toggle back to Classic Outlook, where Read Aloud during composition is still supported. 

 

This article provides further guidance on the topic: Revert to classic Outlook - Microsoft Support 

Additional information is available in the following resources: 

Feature comparison between new Outlook and classic Outlook - Microsoft Support 

Listen to messages read aloud in Outlook - Microsoft Support 

Thank you for raising such a thoughtful question. It has helped highlight the current limitations of the Immersive Reader feature in Office apps, particularly its absence during email composition in the New Outlook. 

As a forum moderator, I hope you understand that I don’t have the ability to modify or escalate product issues directly. However, I strongly recommend submitting your feedback through the Outlook (new) · Community portal. This is the most effective way to ensure your voice reaches the product team and can be considered for future improvements.  

 

Once you've submitted your feedback, feel free to share the link here in the comments. I’ll be happy to upvote it to help bring more visibility.  

Additionally, since many other users have expressed similar concerns but may not know where to submit feedback, if my response has helped you better understand the situation and guided you toward a possible next step, please mark it as the “Accepted Answer.” Your action will help pin this post to the top, making it easier for others in the community who are experiencing the same issue to find your feedback and support it.  

Thank you again for your time and for raising this important usability concern. 

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