For quite some time, Microsoft has been developing a unified Outlook Mail and Calendar platform. The “One Outlook” platform, also known as “Project Monarch,” is still in development. Microsoft is hoping to release One Outlook later this year as a Windows Optional Update. It would, however, be cross-platform, including versions for macOS, iOS, and Android.

A Brief Description of Microsoft Outlook:

Microsoft Outlook is a personal information manager software system that is included in the Microsoft Office suite. This app is more than an e-mail client, but it also has calendaring, task management, contact management, note-taking, journal-keeping, and web surfing capabilities.

Outlook Available in Multiple Versions

There are various versions of Outlook available today. It is available as a stand-alone program for individuals. While businesses can use multi-user software (through Microsoft Exchange Server or SharePoint) to manage mailboxes, calendars, folders, data aggregation (via SharePoint lists), and appointment scheduling. Microsoft provides apps for iOS and Android, as well as other mobile platforms. Furthermore, virtually all Outlook data from Windows Phone devices can synchronized to Outlook Mobile. Developers may also create bespoke software that interfaces with Outlook and Office components using Microsoft Visual Studio.

Possible Rebranding Built-In Mail and Calendar App

Microsoft officials emphasized during the Windows 8 launch that the built-in Mail and Calendar apps, which are less useful than Outlook, represent the company’s future mail strategy. (There was a report that Microsoft was considering rebranding the Mail and Calendar app bundle “Outlook,” which would have added to the confusion of having so many separate products named “Outlook.”)

Microsoft Web Version

After abandoning Windows 8 and its initial Universal Windows Platform (UWP) goal, Microsoft began introducing new capabilities to Outlook for the Web first. However, for some reason, it has continued to support the current mail and calendar applications rather than switching to Outlook for all of its mail apps.

Microsoft presently provides Outlook versions for Windows, Mac, Web, iOS, and Android devices (based on the Acompli technology it bought), and Microsoft officials refer as “Outlook”.

Microsoft Outlook Capabilities

In March 2020, Microsoft announced the inclusion of a number of additional capabilities to its Teams platform to appeal to corporate clients, in addition to those offered the previous month. The chat and collaboration modules now have more efficient and integrated waypoints, which make group work easier for enterprises and to encourage them to choose the Microsoft platform as their primary chat platform.

Outlook is one of the most well-know email apps.

Microsoft Outlook is one of the most well-known and commonly used email applications on the market. It is, however, one of the most fractured. Outlook is available in a variety of versions from Microsoft. One is for Windows, while the other is for Mac, iOS, and Android devices. There’s also Microsoft Outlook for the Web.

Project Monarch

Last year, Microsoft suggested that Project Monarch would have the name One Outlook. However, Microsoft delayed the project. According to ZDNet’s Mary Jo Foley, Microsoft is naming the project Outlook. The One Outlook initiative aims to reduce both front-end and back-end confusion.

Currently Mail and Calendar App is available in Windows 10 and Windows 11

A native Mail and Calendar app is currently available for Windows 10 and Windows 11. Microsoft looks to be preparing to deliver the unified version of Outlook in stages in the second half of 2022, most likely as part of the 22nd Cumulative Feature Update. At first, it can appear to be an optional update. Despite the lack of formal confirmation, Microsoft is expected to replace the old Mail and Calendar apps with the new One Outlook platform in the future.

On the Windows Desktop (Win32/UWP; Intel and ARM), the Web, the macOS Desktop, and Android, the One Outlook platform should operate identically. And the only way for consistency is to base the new One Outlook on the present version of Outlook for the Web. This would allow Microsoft to create and deliver server-side upgrades, giving users immediate access.

Microsoft Testing It Internally

For some months, Microsoft has been testing Monarch/One Outlook internally with increasingly bigger rings of employees. According to my sources, Microsoft intends to make an official announcement on One Outlook this spring. Also, Microsoft might have a test version of the new Outlook available to Windows Insiders in the Dev and Beta channels by late March or early April 2022. In addition, Microsoft hopes to be able to provide it to insiders in the slow channel by late July or August of this year, though this goal date might slide until the fall, according to my sources.

Project Monarch

According to the initial Monarch leak, Microsoft was considering replacing Windows’ built-in Mail/Calendar interface with the new Outlook. This appears to be the plan, but it may unfold more slowly than anticipated, according to my sources.

Users may receive a preview of the new “One Outlook” client by the end of 2021, but it won’t replace Windows 10’s built-in mail and calendar applications until 2022, according to Windows Central. According to WC, Microsoft’s aim to replace the outdated Win32 Outlook client is “far further out.”

When Will It Release?

According to the sources, when Microsoft releases the next feature update for Windows 10 and 11 in October 2022, the new Outlook will be an option that you can download. Microsoft wants Windows customers to test the new Outlook, but it does not appear that it will compel them to do so this calendar year. I’m not sure if Microsoft will force Windows customers to adopt the new Outlook and abandon the current Mail and Calendar apps next year.

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