Microsoft Outlook has been a mainstay for email management, calendar events, and tasks for professionals and casual users alike. With the New Outlook for Mac, Microsoft aimed to provide a fresh, sleek user interface and introduce some new features. However, change isn’t always welcomed or suitable for every user’s needs or preferences. Some of us find the classic version of Outlook to be more intuitive or better suited for our workflows. That’s why having the option to revert to the old Outlook on Mac gives us the flexibility to work with the interface we feel most comfortable with.
To switch back to the old Outlook on a Mac, Microsoft has included an option within the application that makes this process straightforward. Choosing to work with the legacy version does not mean losing out on functionality; it’s about opting for familiarity and ease of use. Within our Mac’s Outlook application, the switch can be made quickly, generally without affecting our email data and settings. After all, the key to productivity lies in how efficiently we can navigate our tools, and Outlook understands that.
Switching back to legacy Outlook can be done in a few steps:
Contents
Preparing for the Transition
In transitioning from the New Outlook back to Legacy Outlook on Mac, it’s crucial to understand the different versions, evaluate the necessity of the change, and confirm system compatibility.
Understanding Outlook Versions
We must recognize the key differences between the various Outlook versions. Microsoft offers Legacy Outlook, part of older Office 365 and Microsoft 365 suites, and the New Outlook, which is updated with the latest features. Version numbers are significant; we need to match them with our macOS to ensure a seamless switch.
Assessing the Need to Switch
It’s important to ask ourselves why a transition back to Legacy Outlook is necessary. Perhaps it’s due to familiarity with the interface, or maybe specific features or support elements are not present in the newer version that are crucial to our workflow.
Ensuring Compatibility
Before making the switch, confirming that our Mac is running on macOS version 10.14 (Mojave) or later is a must. This compatibility is required to use the Office 365 and Microsoft 365 services, including Legacy Outlook.
Executing the Switch
Navigating back to the familiar interface of classic Outlook on a Mac is straightforward, requiring only a few steps that can be quickly completed. We’ll go through the precise locations of the necessary settings and the process to revert to the Classic Outlook, also known as Legacy Outlook.
Locating the Toggle Option
First, we need to locate the toggle option within the Outlook app. To start, open the Outlook application on your Mac. Remember, this option is only available in the new Outlook for Mac, so ensure you are using the newer version.
In the top menu, click on Help. From the dropdown, we select Revert to Legacy Outlook. It’s a straightforward toggle; activating it initiates the switch back to Old Outlook.
Reverting to Classic Outlook
Once we have selected “Revert to Legacy Outlook,” the Outlook app may take a moment to process our request. It’s normal for the application to close and restart during this process, so don’t be alarmed if that happens. Upon reopening Outlook, it will have reverted to the classic view that many users find more comfortable and familiar to navigate.
It’s important to consider that reverting to Legacy Outlook might change your layout preferences and settings. This is because any customizations made in the new Outlook version may not transfer over to the classic interface. So, we may need to take a moment to reconfigure our preferences to suit our needs in the classic view.
Post-Switch Configuration
Once we’ve reverted to the older version of Outlook on our Mac, it’s crucial to optimize settings and import data for a seamless workflow. This includes configuring our accounts and ensuring all essential data is in place.
Adjusting Outlook Settings
Our first step is to adjust preferences to restore the functionality we’ve grown accustomed to. We should visit the Outlook menu, then click on Preferences.
Within this menu, we’ll make sure that our viewing options, signatures, and rules are tailored to our liking. If we’re using POP or IMAP accounts, we must confirm that server settings are correct to avoid syncing issues.
Importing Data and Configuring Accounts
Next, we focus on importing local folders and data back into Outlook. Using the Import function, located under the File menu, we can bring over our archived emails and contacts.
We must also ensure all our accounts are set up properly. This involves visiting the Tools menu and selecting Accounts. Here, we’ll input our account credentials and adjust incoming and outgoing server details for each email account, whether they’re POP or IMAP.
| Setting | Description |
| Import Archived Data | Use the Import function to restore personalized data such as archived emails and contacts. |
| Account Setup | Reconfigure email accounts, ensuring correct server settings for POP and IMAP protocols. |
| Preferences Customization | Tailor viewing options, signatures, and rules to fit our personal or organizational workflow. |
Troubleshoot and Support
After reverting to the old version of Outlook on your Mac, we might encounter some issues that need troubleshooting. We can resolve these problems effectively or seek additional help through Microsoft Support.
Common Issues After Switching
Sometimes, we might experience performance issues or errors. Here’s a quick checklist for troubleshooting:
| Issue | Check | Action |
| Outlook not launching | Check for updates | Install latest Office 2021 updates |
| Missing emails | Verify account settings | Re-enter account credentials |
| Performance issues | Inspect app status | Restart Outlook |
If these steps don’t resolve the issues, it may be necessary to gather feedback from the Outlook app and use it to pinpoint the problem.
Contacting Microsoft Support
When troubleshooting isn’t enough, we reach out to Microsoft Support. As we prepare to contact them, it’s best to have the following information ready:
- Version of Office for Mac: We’ll confirm our version, as different solutions apply to Office 2019 or Office 2021 for Mac.
- Description of the Issue: We’ll define the problem clearly, providing specific error messages or problematic behavior we’ve encountered.
- Recent Changes: We’ll note any recent updates or changes made to the system or to the Outlook app.
To contact support:
- Launch Outlook.
- Click on Help > Contact Support.
Microsoft offers several support channels:
- Phone Support: We can talk directly to a support agent, explaining our issue in real-time.
- Email: We’ll send a detailed description of our problem and receive a written solution.
- Live Chat: This provides a balance between the immediacy of phone support and the documentation of email.
By gathering relevant information and being clear about the issues we face, we ensure efficient and effective solutions from Microsoft Support.