How to Switch Between Classic and New Outlook

πŸ”„ How to Switch Between Classic and New Outlook
Move between the two Windows versions of Outlook without losing anything.
βœ… Before You Begin
  • You need an active NEO A&M College account with SSO access
  • An internet connection is required
  • A Windows computer with Outlook installed
  • Read Classic Outlook vs. New Outlook first if you are not sure which you have
  • πŸ• Estimated time: 5 minutes

πŸ”’ What Switching Does and Does Not Do Read this first  |  ~1 minute
Switching changes the app you look at your mail through. It does not change the mailbox itself.
  1. Your mail, calendar, contacts, and folders all stay exactly as they are.
  2. They are stored on your NEO account, so every version shows the same thing.
  3. You can switch back at any time, as often as you like.
⚠️ Note: Some things that live only on your computer β€” message rules created in classic Outlook, custom toolbar layouts, and add-ins β€” may not appear in New Outlook. Your mail is unaffected.
πŸ’‘ Tip: If you rely on a specific classic feature every day, try New Outlook for a few days before committing. Switching back costs nothing.

✨ From Classic to New Outlook πŸ• ~2 minutes  |  Classic Outlook
Classic Outlook has a dedicated button for this in the top-right corner of the window.
  1. Open Outlook.
  2. Find Try the new Outlook in the top-right corner of the window.
  3. Select it. Outlook closes and reopens in the new version.
  4. Sign in if you are prompted, and wait for your mail to appear.
πŸ’‘ Tip: The first launch after switching can take longer than usual while your mail is downloaded. This is normal and happens once.

πŸ—ƒοΈ From New Outlook Back to Classic πŸ• ~2 minutes  |  New Outlook
New Outlook has a matching control to go back the other way.
  1. Open Outlook.
  2. Find the New Outlook toggle in the top-right corner of the window, above the ribbon.
    • It is a small switch, currently turned on. Hovering over it reads β€œgo back to the classic Outlook for Windows”.
  3. Switch it off.
  4. You may be asked why you are switching back. Answering is optional.
    • Outlook then closes and reopens in classic.
πŸ’‘ Tip: If you cannot find the control at all, contact the Help Desk rather than uninstalling anything. Removing an Outlook version is not the way to switch between them.

πŸ”§ If Outlook Keeps Reopening in the Wrong Version πŸ• ~5 minutes  |  Troubleshooting
  1. Close Outlook completely, then reopen it from the Start menu.
  2. Check which one you actually pinned. Classic and New Outlook are two separate apps and can both be pinned to the taskbar.
    • Search the Start menu for Outlook to see what is installed.
  3. Restart the computer. A switch that appears not to have taken effect is usually a still-running background process.
  4. If it still opens in the wrong version, contact the Help Desk.
🚨 Warning: Do not uninstall either version to force the switch. On NEO-managed computers Outlook is installed centrally, and removing it can leave the machine without a working mail app until IT reinstalls it.

πŸ“ž Still Need Help?
If you encounter any issues not covered in this guide, please contact the NEO A&M College IT Help Desk:

🌐 Helpdesk Portal: support.neo.edu
πŸ“ž Phone: (918) 540-6099
πŸ“§ Email: neosupport@neo.edu
πŸ“ Walk-in: I.T. Services, Library/Administration Building, 2nd Floor, Room 216
πŸ• Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
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