How do I add appointments and repeating tasks to the Windows Calendar?

Question

After years of using Windows, I just became aware that it has a calendar. I can open it, but I don't see how to add future appointments with Reminders. nor repeating tasks with Reminders (e.g., taking daily medications on time).

I need step-by-step instructions.

(The calendar software I'd been using doesn't work well in Win 11, and all the calendars I've seen for downloading are for professionals.)

Please advise.

Answer 1

Hi KJS,

Good day. I'm Jhun an independent advisor. In Windows 11, the built-in calendar experience depends on which version you’re using. Microsoft replaced the old Calendar app with the new Outlook app, and that’s usually why clicking a date “does nothing.”

Let's do these some steps below.

A. Open New Outlook App. Take note that the calendar on the taskbar is good for viewing dates only. You cannot create appointments there. You must open the full calendar app.

1. Press Start.
2. Type Outlook.
3. Open Outlook (new).
4. Click the Calendar icon (left sidebar).

B. To add future appointment with reminder.

1. Inside Outlook Calendar, click New Event (top left).
2. Add: Title (e.g., Doctor Appointment) Date Start & End time
3. Click Reminder. Choose 5 min, 15 min, 1 hour, 1 day, etc.
4. Click Save. Done.
5. You will get a notification reminder in Windows.

C. How to create a repeating daily task. Let's do "Medication" as a sample.

Option A.

1. Click New Event.
2. Title it (e.g., “Take Medication”)
3. Set time (e.g., 8:00 AM)
4. Click Repeat.
5. Choose: Daily Weekly Custom, for advanced patterns.
6. Set Reminder e.g., 10 minutes before.
7. Click Save.
8. It will now repeat automatically.

Option B: Alternative using Microsoft to do for repeating tasks. If you mainly need repeating reminders.

1. Use Microsoft To Do, open Start.
2. Search Microsoft To Do
3. Click Add Task
4. Click the task > set: Reminder Repeat > Daily
5. Done
6. This is actually better than Calendar for daily medication reminders.

NOTE: If clicking a date does nothing. This usually means one of the following:

1. You're clicking the taskbar popup (which cannot create events).
2. Outlook is not signed in. To check: Open Outlook Look top right, are you signed in with a Microsoft account?

I hope this helps.

Regards,
Jhun

Answer 2

I tried making an appointment with the Windows calendar, but I haven't been able to. I click on a date, but nothing happens.