4 New Microsoft Outlook Updates from Ignite 2024

Held from November 18 – 22 in 2024, Microsoft Ignite is the latter’s largest yearly conference that focuses on new developments in the products and services of Microsoft.

There were many big announcements during the event, but one thing that really stood out was the new Outlook updates that are coming. Bridging AI capabilities and a smoother platform, Outlook is transforming to become even better than before.

We recently talked about one major Outlook update, which was how Copilot in Outlook is changing the game. But we’re now going to talk further about how the whole platform is being revamped to provide a fresher and seamless experience for users.

Before the Outlook updates…

If you’ve been using Outlook for years, then you know that the platform was always great. Not only was it a secure way to store and receive your emails, but it also helped you draft new emails quickly, schedule meetings and find key information in long email threads.

And with the addition of Copilot, Outlook updates became even more powerful. Users were able to truly take control of their email management and messaging, whereby they could even polish emails to suit different voice tones and sentiment.

So, what more can Outlook be? Well, following the presentation at Ignite, we’re super excited to announce some even more Outlook updates, that not only concern Copilot, but the mailing platform itself.

Outlook updates 1: Enhanced meeting management with Copilot

One of the most crucial Outlook updates that were announced at Microsoft Ignite in 2024 was the ability to easily schedule meetings thanks to Copilot, Microsoft’s AI-powered tool.

With Copilot, you can now streamline your meeting scheduling process for 1:1 meeting. What does this new Outlook updates mean? It simply means that you can now schedule a meeting by using natural language commands. For instance, you can ask Copilot to “Schedule a meeting with my supervisor next week.”

The best part about this Outlook updates is that Copilot will be able to draft meeting agendas based on user input, ensuring organized and efficient meetings. The AI tool will look at both people’s agendas and easily secure a time slot for the meeting to take place.

Another important thing to mention when it comes to this Outlook updates is the fact that it can also summarize long email threads to come up with meeting agendas directly from conversations. This facilitates a smoother decision-making process.

Outlook updates 2: Revamped email drafting experience

The next Outlook update has to do with email drafting. We recently did a blog on how Copilot was a great assistant when it comes to drafting new emails. This was a step in the right direction, and we’re happy to report that Microsoft has upped their game when it comes to this specific Outlook updates.

Now, when it comes to email drafting, Copilot provides you with suggested prompts and multiple draft options. This is very helpful to help you get started when it comes to email drafting in Outlook.

Moreover, this new Outlook updates also allow you to refine your drafts and achieve optimal tone and clarity. This new feature is exciting as it will help you draft emails quickly and achieved the desired result in no time.

Outlook updates 3: New Outlook for Windows

The third Outlook updates that was announced was that the platform was being reimagined to adapt to changing user experience and needs. Hence, the Outlook interface has been redesigned for agility and innovation, with faster feature deployment and integrated Microsoft 365 Copilot capabilities.

This new Outlook updates means that you obtain a faster, more agile interface that is consistent with user experience. Moreover, Microsoft is committed to enhancing Outlook always based on user feedback.

The migration phases for the new updates to kick in are going to happen from 2024 to 2026. The general availability for commercial customers were in 2024, while the transition to opt-out model begins in January 2025 for SMBs, with enterprise migrations starting in 2026. Please note as well that reversion to the previous version will remain an option during the migration process.

Outlook updates 4: Migration strategy for organizations

Finally, the last Outlook updates that were announced had to do with the migration strategy. Here is a timeline that Microsoft has laid out when it comes to migration for organizations:

• Pre-migration: Admins and IT teams learn migration requirements and implications while piloting early migrating strategies.
• Migration: Progressive rollout of migration, with extensive piloting to refine the process.
• Post-migration: Wraps up migration activities, decommissions the previous version, and collects feedback to improve future migrations.

This step-by-step process ensures that the migration and Outlook updates happen smoothly and there are no issues along the way.

Reimagine your Outlook platform with Gestisoft

Want to implement the new Outlook updates to your mailing platform? Looking for professionals who can guide you through every step of the process? Then, reach out to the experts at Gestisoft!

With over 25 years of experience, we help businesses across North America with the implementation of Microsoft products and services. We’re super excited about the new Outlook updates that are happening, and we want to assist all businesses in this process, so that you take advantage of everything. Get in touch with us today and let’s book a free consultation.