Microsoft has introduced that from January 2026, Microsoft 365 Schooling customers will have the ability to change to a “trendy, AI-powered” Outlook for Home windows. The Redmond big stated {that a} new toggle will present up for eligible customers that may allow them to determine whether or not to run basic Outlook or the brand new Outlook for Home windows.

The brand new model, Microsoft stated, brings quite a few enhancements together with extra streamlined communication, options to spice up your productiveness, and extra methods to personalize your expertise.

As this replace is coming to Microsoft 365 Schooling accounts, it means it’ll have an effect on each college students and lecturers. The refreshed interface extra deeply integrates with Microsoft 365 Copilot to ship: smarter e-mail and calendar administration with options equivalent to Pinning and Snoozing; customized themes that match your type and preferences; and Copilot-powered help that can assist you draft, summarize, and arrange your emails and appointments.

Microsoft is clearly eager for customers to change over to the brand new interface when it is obtainable to foist AI on you. Nonetheless, if you’re reticent about utilizing these AI instruments, you may at all times revert again to the basic Outlook for Home windows, no less than for some time after the brand new model is launched.

The brand new toggle will start rolling out globally subsequent January. Earlier than then, Microsoft 365 Schooling customers will get in-app notifications forward of the change to arrange them, and academic organizations could have the ability to decide out or handle the expertise by administrator settings.

Whereas most Microsoft 365 Schooling customers will get the toggle, there are some exceptions. These embody: organizations which have opted out of automated migration; customers with perpetual licenses; on-premises account holders; and gadgets the place the toggle is hidden through coverage.

The upcoming adjustments is not going to require any administrative motion through the rollout. Microsoft says directors, in the event that they need to, can notify customers in regards to the upcoming change; replace their inside documentation; and evaluate the documentation for Admin management over migration. The agency stated that after the rollout, coverage controls will grow to be obtainable by Group Coverage Objects (GPO), Cloud Coverage, and Intune.

When it comes to compatibility with different platforms, the brand new Outlook for Home windows shall be suitable, together with with Mac. Customers will nonetheless have the ability to entry their accounts usually by the Outlook app obtainable for macOS or through the Outlook internet app.