Microsoft to delist the UWP mail & calendar, users not happy

You still until the end of 2024 to get accustomed to Outlook.

by Flavius Floare
Flavius Floare
Flavius Floare
Author
Flavius is a writer and a media content producer with a particular interest in technology, gaming, media, film and storytelling. He enjoys spending time in nature and at... read more
Affiliate Disclosure
  • The replacement will start in 2024.
  • Microsoft will also ship Windows 11 devices with Outlook as the mailing default app.
  • You will still be able to use the UWP app until the end of 2024.
microsoft replace native outlook

Do you enjoy the Mail, Calendar, and People apps in Windows 10 and Windows 11? Well, in that case, we have some news for you. And they’re not great. Microsoft will replace them with the native Outlook app, starting in 2024.

Outlook on Windows 11 surely looks amazing, and pretty useful too. But many users complained about its new look, and the truth is, it can get a little buggy at times.

So while Outlook might be a good idea, people might still want the old Mail, Calendar, and People apps to use on Windows 11. Why is Microsoft discontinuing them? It might have to do with the company’s infrastructure, but we don’t have a certain answer for it.

There has certainly been a push on Outlook lately, with Outlook getting a brand new interface, to be used in Microsoft Teams, and virtually all things Microsoft. So this step might mean Outlook is here to stay. Better get used to it.

Microsoft will replace UWP mail & calendar with Outlook starting in 2024

However, there are some things you need to know about it. According to Microsoft, beginning in 2024, new Windows 11 devices will be shipped with the new Outlook app. It will also be the default mailing application. Plus, it’s going to be free to use.microsoft replace native outlook

The UWP Mail and Calendar apps won’t go away right away. They will still be available to use and download in the Microsoft Store, up until the end of 2024. So there is still time to enjoy them and maybe try the Outlook app meanwhile to get a hang of it.

On the existing devices, you will be able to switch to the new Outlook app, from a toggle in the Mail and Calendar apps.

Users are not happy about it

Of course, there are users who dislike the decision, and some even agree that the era of UWP was the last effort from Microsoft to build serious native apps.

I have a pretty powerful computer. Windows Mail opens instantly. Outlook web app takes FIVE SECONDS to show the splash screen, and then some to open the app. 

I tried Outlook a few times because they allow easy switching, but I did not like it for two reasons. It was very glitchy/laggy and I did not get notified about new emails. Also, I noticed that I often received emails very late, so I switched back to “Mail”.

From now on, according to them, everything that will come out from Microsoft will be web-based. And unfortunately, for now, Microsoft hasn’t said anything about being able to keep the apps as they are in their current form.

What’s your take on Microsoft replacing native Outlook? Be sure to let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below.

This article covers:Topics: