How do I switch back to CLASSIC Outlook?

Question

How do I switch back to Classic Outlook? I have Office 365 on a desktop PC running Windows 10 (yes I know it is out of date, buy it is what I have). HELP!

Answer 1

Hello,

As long as your Microsoft 365 is NOT the basic plan, and it is still active, you should have access to install Classic Outlook. Please double check your subscription via https://account.live.com > Subscription.

If the subscription is in good standing, you can download and install Classic Outlook here:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/install-or-reinstall-classic-outlook-on-a-windows-pc-5c94902b-31a5-4274-abb0-b07f4661edf5

I strongly recommend against the registry edit route provided by the AI answer .

Answer 2

To switch back to classic Outlook on a Windows 10 desktop with Microsoft 365, use the toggle in the new Outlook app or, if needed, adjust the registry setting as described below.

1. Open the new Outlook for Windows.
2. In the top-right corner, locate the New Outlook toggle.
3. Click the toggle. A dialog will appear with two options:
   • Switch back to classic Outlook – chooses classic Outlook going forward.
   • Use classic Outlook this time – opens classic Outlook once, but keeps new Outlook as the default.
4. Choose Switch back to classic Outlook if the goal is to return to classic Outlook permanently. Classic Outlook will open the next time it is started from the Start menu.

If the toggle is missing in new Outlook:

1. Make sure classic Outlook is actually installed. In the Start menu, look for Outlook (classic). If it is not installed, follow the guidance in You can't open classic Outlook on a new Windows PC from the article linked in the note below.
2. If classic Outlook is installed but still no toggle appears, try the registry fix:
   1. Open the Start menu, type Registry Editor, and open it.
   2. Navigate to: Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\Preferences
   3. Find UseNewOutlook and double-click it.
   4. Set Value data to 0 and select OK.
   5. Close Registry Editor.
   6. From the Start menu, launch Outlook (classic) (the Outlook icon without the New tag).

If clicking Go back to classic Outlook in new Outlook closes the app and does not install classic Outlook, use the Microsoft Store install link described in the article You can't open classic Outlook on a new Windows PC (referenced from the “Go back to classic Outlook button not working correctly in new Outlook” article) to install classic Outlook, then repeat the steps above.

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References:

• Toggle out of the new Outlook for Windows
• Switch to new Outlook for Windows
• Go back to classic Outlook button not working correctly in new Outlook
• Getting started with the new Outlook for Windows
• What version of Outlook do I have?