Installed office 2024 and trying outlook classic with office 365

Question

Good morning,

I installed office 2024 and no outlook classic. I took the 5 day free trial and I will purchase the office 365 with outlook classic. Do I have to install the office 365 - since I have the office 2024 already in my computer- cause I don’t want to loose my outlook classic- transferred all my info from old computer to new one. I have the outlook classic and all configured too

Please help give me the steps I need to do’ thank you and waiting for your help

Answer 1

Hello,

Office 2024 and Microsoft 365 (Office 365) are essentially different licensing methods, but their core programs are very similar. In most cases, you only need to switch accounts/licenses, not reinstall the software.

Can you currently search for and open "Outlook Classic"?

Answer 2

Do I download office 365 even though I downloaded office family? Will this give me a double of everything?

Answer 3

Office 2024 and a Microsoft 365 subscription can coexist on the same PC, and classic Outlook can be kept and used alongside new Outlook.

Key points and steps based on the documented behavior:

1. Classic Outlook is separate from new Outlook
   • New Windows 11 devices often come with new Outlook for Windows and not classic Outlook.
   • Classic Outlook can be installed separately and run side‑by‑side with new Outlook.
2. Verify which Outlook is installed
   • Open classic Outlook.
   • Select File > Office Account.
   • Under Product Information, confirm the version/build and that this is the classic desktop Outlook.
3. Keeping classic Outlook while using Microsoft 365
   • Classic Outlook from Microsoft 365 and classic Outlook from Office 2024 are the same app family and are designed to run alongside new Outlook.
   • Microsoft explicitly supports running new Outlook and classic Outlook side‑by‑side. This means classic Outlook does not have to be removed when using a Microsoft 365 subscription.
4. If new Outlook is present and classic Outlook is installed
   • Use the toggle in Outlook to switch between versions:
     1. From classic Outlook, select the toggle Try the new Outlook if needed.
     2. From new Outlook, use the toggle to switch back to classic Outlook; new Outlook closes and classic Outlook opens.
   • Pin both to the taskbar so classic Outlook is always easy to open:
     1. Go to Start and type Outlook.
     2. Right‑click Outlook (classic) and select Pin to taskbar.
     3. Do the same for Outlook (new) if desired.
5. Installing classic Outlook if it is missing
   • If classic Outlook is not installed on the new PC, it can be installed as a standalone classic Outlook for Windows build using the language‑specific download links or via the Microsoft Store, as documented in the classic Outlook install article.
6. Data and configuration
   • Installing or activating Microsoft 365 does not by itself delete Outlook profiles or data files; classic Outlook will continue to use the existing profile and configuration.
   • After activating Microsoft 365, open classic Outlook and confirm that all accounts and data are present.

If using a work or school account and the toggle or installation options are restricted, contact the organization’s IT admin for assistance.

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References:

• Run new Outlook and classic Outlook side-by-side
• What version of Outlook do I have?
• You can't open classic Outlook on a new Windows PC
• Install or reinstall classic Outlook on a Windows PC
• Go back to classic Outlook button not working correctly in new Outlook