(Credit: Microsoft)
Microsoft is adding more apps to its software graveyard: It's time to ditch your Windows Mail, Calendar, and People apps if you use them.
Microsoft is no longer supporting the Mail, Calendar, and People apps on Windows 11. Collectively, these apps offer functionalities found in the more streamlined, free version of Microsoft Outlook, which all users will be redirected to after Dec. 31. However, you'll still be able to export your emails, events, and contacts after that date.
Some Mail users may notice that the change has already been implemented, and clicking on Mail will open the new Outlook app instead. You can still open your Mail app if you try hard enough, though a yellow warning banner may notify you that the Mail app is on its way out. The change was announced Oct. 31, and spotted over the weekend.
Unfortunately, you cannot opt out of this transition. It's part of Microsoft's broader push to get you to use its new AI-powered Outlook, which added new themes, easier-to-dismiss notifications, and more search features this month. It also has a new menu ribbon that can be customized and will show your most frequently used apps on the left side vertical menu.
If you try out the new Outlook but prefer the older version, a toggle in the top right-hand corner of your window will let you switch between versions.
If you use an email service that isn't a Microsoft account, don't worry—you can still add multiple third-party email accounts by navigating to Settings > Accounts > Email accounts. Or, if you're not an Outlook fan, there are other email clients you can use.