Microsoft lets you swap New Outlook's looks with the face of Outlook Classic

Microsoft is rolling out a setting that makes Outlook on the Web and New Outlook for Windows look and feel like Classic Outlook through a theme that tweaks the visual style and layout.

"This update is designed to help users who are transitioning from classic Outlook by providing a more familiar experience while maintaining the capabilities of the new Outlook," Microsoft said.

Importantly, it won't add back the bits from Classic Outlook that are currently missing from New Outlook.

For example, the offline capabilities of New Outlook are still a poor relation to its predecessor.

It has been possible to import calendars and contacts from .pst (Outlook Data Files) files for a few months now, but full support remains in the future.

The app framework (COM add-ins and so on) that many enterprises use to glue Outlook into their workflows will never appear in New Outlook, but at least the fonts and layout are optionally available.

A targeted release of the toggle, which can be accessed in the appearance settings, is expected to be complete by the end of September.

A worldwide rollout to general availability is planned to happen between late September and the end of October.

The change is Microsoft's latest attempt to nudge users off Classic Outlook, which is set to be phased out in the coming years.

Users will have to migrate to the new platform at some point, although the process won't be quick.

At present, New Outlook is in the opt-in stage, where users can opt to try it out before switching back.

Earlier this year, Microsoft pushed the opt-out phase, where users must choose to opt out of New Outlook to 2027.

Eventually, there will be a cutover stage when users won't be able to switch back to Classic Outlook.

Microsoft has, however, promised at least 12 months' notice for administrators to prepare.