Outlook guide | Windows | new to classic
How to go back to classic Outlook from new Outlook
To go back to classic Outlook from the new Outlook, turn off the New Outlook toggle in the top-right corner of the window — it switches you straight back to the classic version and asks a quick reason why. If you have Microsoft 365 or a version of Office that includes it, classic Outlook is still installed on your PC, and on Microsoft 365 or Office 2024 it is still fully supported. If the toggle isn't there, you can use the Help tab, open classic Outlook from the Start menu, or set one registry value. Here's exactly how, plus what to do if it keeps flipping back.
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The quick way: flip the toggle
The new Outlook has a switch built right in. In the top-right corner of the new Outlook window you'll see a New Outlook toggle. Turn it off and you'll get two choices:
- Switch back to classic Outlook — this takes you back permanently (it asks for a quick reason first; you can skip the feedback).
- Use classic Outlook this time — this opens classic Outlook just for now, without permanently switching.
Choose Switch back to classic Outlook, let it close and reopen, and you're back in the classic version you know. Nothing is deleted — classic Outlook was there the whole time.
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01Open the toggle
In the new Outlook window, find the New Outlook toggle in the top-right corner.
Done that step? -
02Turn the toggle off
Switch the toggle off and choose 'Switch back to classic Outlook'. It asks a quick reason why, which you can skip.
Done that step? -
03Let Outlook reopen in classic
Outlook closes and reopens in the classic version. Nothing is deleted — classic Outlook was installed the whole time.
Done that step? -
04If the toggle is missing, use the Help tab or Start menu
Open the Help tab and click 'Go to classic Outlook', or click Start, type Outlook, and open the 'Outlook (classic)' entry. Pin it to your taskbar for next time.
Done that step? -
05Or force it with the registry
Close Outlook, run regedit, go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\Preferences, and set UseNewOutlook to 0 (create it as a DWORD if it's missing). Reopen Outlook.
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How to go back to classic Outlook from new Outlook - the fix order (365techies.co.uk/how-to-go-back-to-classic-outlook/) 1. Open the toggle: In the new Outlook window, find the New Outlook toggle in the top-right corner. 2. Turn the toggle off: Switch the toggle off and choose 'Switch back to classic Outlook'. It asks a quick reason why, which you can skip. 3. Let Outlook reopen in classic: Outlook closes and reopens in the classic version. Nothing is deleted — classic Outlook was installed the whole time. 4. If the toggle is missing, use the Help tab or Start menu: Open the Help tab and click 'Go to classic Outlook', or click Start, type Outlook, and open the 'Outlook (classic)' entry. Pin it to your taskbar for next time. 5. Or force it with the registry: Close Outlook, run regedit, go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\Preferences, and set UseNewOutlook to 0 (create it as a DWORD if it's missing). Reopen Outlook. Still stuck? 365 Techies fix it remotely: 01202 775566 - https://365techies.co.uk/remote-support/// OR SKIP THE NEW OUTLOOK
No classic Outlook to go back to?
If the new Outlook came with Windows and there’s no classic Outlook on your PC, our free Techies One Mail is a simple email program in the old style, for Windows PCs.
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If you pay for Microsoft 365 or Office, the switch above is the easier answer. Gmail, Yahoo, AOL and Virgin Media need an app password. See what it does, with pictures.
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If the toggle is missing
No toggle? Three reliable alternatives
Sometimes the toggle isn't shown — because your IT administrator has hidden it, the layout has changed, or classic Outlook isn't on this PC at all. Classic Outlook comes with Microsoft 365 plans that include the desktop apps and with Office versions such as Office Home and Business; if new Outlook arrived free with Windows in place of the old Mail app, there may be nothing to switch back to. You have three dependable fallbacks:
1. Use the Help tab in new Outlook. Open the Help tab on the ribbon and look for the Go to classic Outlook button. This is Microsoft's own built-in alternative when the top-right slider isn't visible, and it switches you straight back.
2. Open classic Outlook straight from the Start menu. Click Start, type Outlook, and look carefully at the results. You may see two entries: Outlook (new) and Outlook (classic) (the classic one usually has the familiar blue/gold envelope icon). Open the classic one and pin it to your taskbar so it's easy to find next time.
3. Use the registry value (for confident users). This is the surest way to force classic Outlook. Editing the registry is safe if you follow the steps exactly, but back up first if you're unsure — or let us do it.
- Close Outlook completely.
- Press Windows key + R, type
regeditand press Enter. - Go to
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\Preferences. - Find the value UseNewOutlook. Double-click it and set the value data to 0.
- If UseNewOutlook isn't there, right-click in the empty space on the right, choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, name it
UseNewOutlook, and set it to 0. - Close the registry editor and open Outlook — it should launch in classic.
Making it stick
Stop new Outlook nudging you back across
Once you're back in classic Outlook, you can hide the Try the new Outlook slider so it can't quietly switch you across again. In the registry, go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\Options\General and create or set a DWORD value named HideNewOutlookToggle to 1. Close and reopen classic Outlook and the toggle is gone, so you won't be nudged over to new Outlook. (This setting applies to the current Windows user only.)
Is classic Outlook going away? Microsoft is gradually moving everyone to the new Outlook, but classic Outlook is supported until at least 2029 on Microsoft 365 and Office 2024; Outlook 2016 and 2019 support ended in October 2025, and Outlook 2021's support end date is 13 October 2026. On Microsoft 365 or Office 2024 you have plenty of time — switching back to classic now is completely fine and doesn't leave you unsupported.
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Frequently asked
How do I go back to classic Outlook from the new Outlook?
Turn off the New Outlook toggle in the top-right corner of the window and choose 'Switch back to classic Outlook'. It asks a quick reason why (you can skip it), then reopens in the classic version. Classic Outlook is still installed, so nothing is lost.
The toggle to switch back is missing — what now?
First try the Help tab in new Outlook and click 'Go to classic Outlook'. If that isn't there, open classic Outlook from the Start menu: click Start, type Outlook, and pick 'Outlook (classic)'. As a last resort, set the registry value UseNewOutlook to 0 under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\Preferences.
Will I lose my emails, calendar or settings when I switch back?
No. Classic Outlook remains installed alongside new Outlook, and your Microsoft 365, Exchange and IMAP mail, calendar and contacts all live on the server, so they're all still there. You're simply switching which app you use to view them.
How do I stop new Outlook turning itself back on?
Once back in classic Outlook, set a DWORD value named HideNewOutlookToggle to 1 under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\Options\General. This hides the 'Try the new Outlook' slider in classic Outlook so it can't nudge you across.
Is classic Outlook being retired soon?
Microsoft is gradually moving users to the new Outlook, but classic Outlook is supported until at least 2029 on Microsoft 365 and Office 2024; Outlook 2016 and 2019 support has ended, and Outlook 2021's support end date is 13 October 2026. Switching back to classic now is fine, and on Microsoft 365 or Office 2024 it leaves you fully supported.
Can 365 Techies switch me back for me?
Yes. We can flip you back to classic Outlook and stop it reverting, remotely while you watch, usually in minutes. We phone you first and access ends when it's done. Call 01202 775566.
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