Is Outlook Being Discontinued?

With constant updates across Microsoft products and a growing ecosystem of modern email tools, some users are wondering: Is Outlook being discontinued? The short answer is no, but there’s a reason the question keeps coming up. In this post, we’ll clear the confusion, walk through what’s actually changing, and show you how to stay ahead with your workflow.

1. Understand the Confusion Around “Discontinued”

Microsoft has made some changes to its branding and product lineup that caused confusion:

1. Outlook.com vs. Microsoft Outlook App : Outlook.com is the web version, while the desktop Outlook app is part of Microsoft 365.

2. Windows Mail & Calendar Replaced : Microsoft is replacing the default Windows Mail and Calendar apps with the new Outlook app for Windows.

These updates sparked rumors that “Outlook” was going away—but in reality, it’s being refreshed , not retired.

2. Outlook Is Evolving, Not Ending

Microsoft has confirmed that Outlook will remain a core part of the Microsoft 365 suite. In fact, they’re investing heavily in:

1. A unified Outlook experience across platforms

2. Tighter Teams and OneDrive integrations

3. Enhanced performance and design

These improvements are aimed at modernizing Outlook, not discontinuing it.

3. What Is Actually Changing?

1. The classic Windows Mail app is being phased out in favor of the new Outlook for Windows.

2. Legacy desktop versions of Outlook may eventually lose support, but Microsoft provides long notice before ending support for any product.

So unless you’re using a very old version, you don’t need to worry.

4. Keep Your Workflow Future-Proof

If you’re a Google Workspace user or prefer cloud-native tools, you might also explore alternatives like Gmail and collaborative tools like Formswrite.com - which turns Google Docs into quizzes, forms, and interactive checklists without plugins.

Using Formswrite means you can streamline document sharing and data collection, even if you’re still using Outlook to send those links.

Final Thoughts

Outlook is not being discontinued. Microsoft is simply rebranding and consolidating its email offerings for a more consistent user experience. If you rely on Outlook, it’s safe to continue using it—and if you're looking to modernize, tools like Formswrite.com can help you bridge the gap between email and form creation.

FAQ

Q: Is Outlook being replaced? A: Microsoft is replacing older apps like Windows Mail with the new Outlook, but Outlook itself is here to stay.

Q: Will my current version of Outlook stop working? A: Older versions may eventually lose support, but Microsoft provides years of notice before this happens.

Q: Are there alternatives if I want to move away from Outlook? A: Yes—Gmail, Spark, and Superhuman are all popular alternatives depending on your needs.

Q: Can I use Formswrite with Outlook? A: Yes. Just create your form in Google Docs via Formswrite.com and share the link using Outlook.