After upgrading from Classic Outlook to the new Outlook for Windows, many users cannot find the Tasks module. In Classic Outlook, Tasks was a dedicated button in the navigation pane that opened a full task list with categories, due dates, and reminders. The new Outlook does not have a Tasks button by default. This article explains how to enable and use the Tasks module in the new Outlook so you can continue managing your to-do items without reverting to the classic version.
Key Takeaways: Accessing Tasks in the New Outlook
- Navigation pane > More apps > Tasks: Adds the Tasks icon to the left sidebar so you can switch to the task list view.
- To Do app integration: The new Outlook uses Microsoft To Do as the task engine; tasks you create in Outlook sync to the To Do app and mobile devices.
- Classic Outlook task features missing: The new Tasks module does not support task status fields, assignment, or custom views from Classic Outlook.
How the Tasks Module Works in the New Outlook
The new Outlook for Windows does not include a standalone Tasks folder like Classic Outlook. Instead, it integrates with Microsoft To Do, which is Microsoft’s cloud-based task management service. When you enable the Tasks module, the new Outlook displays a simplified task list that syncs with the To Do app, Outlook on the web, and the To Do mobile app.
Before you start, ensure you are signed into the new Outlook with the same Microsoft 365 or Microsoft account that you used in Classic Outlook. Tasks created in Classic Outlook that were stored in Exchange Online will appear in the new Outlook after you enable the module. Locally stored tasks from a PST file or on-premises Exchange mailbox will not transfer automatically.
The Tasks module in the new Outlook supports these core features:
- Create and edit tasks with due dates and reminders.
- Organize tasks into custom lists.
- Mark tasks as complete.
- Add steps or subtasks inside a task.
- Assign tasks to others using the To Do app sharing feature.
Features that are not available in the new Outlook Tasks module include the task status field, percent complete slider, task assignment via email, and custom view filters from Classic Outlook.
Steps to Enable and Use the Tasks Module
Follow these steps to add the Tasks icon to your navigation pane and start working with tasks in the new Outlook.
- Open the new Outlook
Launch the new Outlook for Windows. If you are still using Classic Outlook, switch by toggling the Try the new Outlook switch in the top-right corner of the Classic Outlook window. - Open the navigation pane settings
At the bottom of the left navigation pane, click the More apps icon. It looks like three dots in a circle. - Add the Tasks app
In the list of available apps, locate Tasks. Click the Add button next to it. The Tasks icon appears in your navigation pane below Mail, Calendar, and People. - Switch to the Tasks view
Click the Tasks icon in the navigation pane. The main window displays your task lists. If you had tasks in Classic Outlook that were stored on Exchange Online, they appear under the Tasks list automatically. - Create a new task
Click the New Task button in the ribbon or press Ctrl+N. A task form opens where you can enter the title, due date, reminder time, and notes. Click Save to add the task to the current list. - Organize tasks into lists
Click New List at the top of the Tasks pane to create a custom list such as Work, Personal, or Shopping. Drag tasks between lists to reorganize them. - Set a reminder
Open an existing task by double-clicking it. In the task details pane, toggle Reminder on and set the date and time. The reminder will appear as a pop-up in Outlook and in the To Do app. - Mark a task as complete
Click the circle icon next to the task title. The task moves to the Completed section. To see completed tasks, click Show completed at the bottom of the list.
Access Tasks from the To Do App
After you enable the Tasks module in the new Outlook, all tasks sync with the Microsoft To Do app. To open To Do separately, press Windows key + S, type To Do, and press Enter. Any changes you make in To Do appear in Outlook after a few seconds. This is useful when you want to manage tasks without opening Outlook.
Import Classic Outlook Tasks into the New Outlook
If your tasks from Classic Outlook do not appear in the new Outlook, follow these steps:
- Open Classic Outlook
Switch back to Classic Outlook using the toggle switch in the new Outlook. - Export tasks to an Excel file
Go to File > Open & Export > Import/Export. Choose Export to a file, then select Comma Separated Values. Select the Tasks folder and save the CSV file. - Import the CSV into To Do
Open the Microsoft To Do app. Click the gear icon in the top-right corner, select Import, then Import from CSV. Choose the file you exported. The tasks appear in a new list called Imported. - Verify in new Outlook
Switch back to the new Outlook. The imported tasks appear under the Tasks list within a few minutes.
If the Tasks Module Does Not Work as Expected
Some users encounter issues after enabling the Tasks module. Below are the most common problems and their fixes.
Tasks Icon Is Missing from the More Apps List
If you do not see Tasks in the More apps list, your Outlook profile may be set to a work or school account that does not support To Do. Sign out of Outlook, then sign in again with a Microsoft 365 account that includes Exchange Online. If the issue persists, update Outlook by going to File > Office Account > Update Options > Update Now. Restart Outlook and check the list again.
Tasks from Classic Outlook Are Not Showing Up
Tasks stored in an on-premises Exchange mailbox or a PST file do not sync to the new Outlook. Only tasks stored in Exchange Online or Microsoft 365 mailboxes appear. To check where your tasks are stored, open Classic Outlook, go to the Tasks folder, and look at the folder path in the title bar. If it says Tasks – yourname@company.com, the tasks are online. If it says Tasks – Personal Folders, the tasks are in a PST file. Use the CSV export method described above to move them.
Reminders Do Not Appear in the New Outlook
Reminders in the new Outlook require the To Do app to be running in the background. Press Windows key + S, type To Do, and open the app. Leave it running in the system tray. Reminders will then appear as pop-up notifications from To Do even when Outlook is closed.
Classic Outlook Tasks vs New Outlook Tasks: Key Differences
| Item | Classic Outlook | New Outlook (To Do) |
|---|---|---|
| Task storage | Exchange mailbox or PST file | Microsoft To Do cloud service |
| Custom views | Yes, filter by status, category, or date | No custom views; only My Day, Important, Planned, and Assigned to Me |
| Task assignment | Send task request via email | Share lists in To Do; recipient must use To Do |
| Status field | Not Started, In Progress, Completed, Waiting, Deferred | Only completed or not completed |
| Reminders | Built into Outlook | Requires To Do app running in background |
The new Outlook Tasks module is a lighter tool than Classic Outlook. It works best for individual task management and simple list organization. If you rely on task status tracking or email-based assignment, consider keeping Classic Outlook for those functions until Microsoft adds them to the new Outlook.
You can now enable the Tasks module in the new Outlook and manage your to-do items without switching back to Classic Outlook. After adding the Tasks icon, try creating a few tasks and setting reminders to confirm the sync works. Use the Ctrl+N shortcut to add tasks quickly. For advanced task management, open the Microsoft To Do app directly from the Start menu to access features like My Day and list sharing.