Microsoft is preparing to launch a new web-based Outlook for Windows that will soon replace the Mail and Calendar apps on Windows 11 and Windows 10. A toggle in the existing apps allows users to switch over to the new all-in-one client, which can also be downloaded separately from the Microsoft Store.

Although the new web-based client is the future of Outlook for Windows, it will coexist with the classic desktop app for a few more years. Microsoft has made it clear that this new version is still a work in progress and recently shared a list of features that users can look forward to in the web-based client.

The Outlook for Windows roadmap includes features such as drag and drop, offline support, and integration with Microsoft’s Copilot AI Assistant. These features are just a few that are currently in development and set to be released in the upcoming year.

However, switching to the new Outlook for Windows from the classic app or the UWP-based Mail app might feel like a downgrade for some users. The Windows Mail app, for example, supports unified inboxes and boasts a cleaner interface. In contrast, the new Outlook for Windows looks similar to Outlook on the web or its free version, Outlook.com. It’s important to note that the new Outlook for Windows app will display ads unless the user has a Microsoft 365 subscription.