You have switched to the new Outlook for Windows and now want to return to the classic version. The toggle that once said “Try the new Outlook” is gone. This article shows you exactly where to find the “Go back to classic Outlook” option after you have already left classic Outlook behind. You will learn the correct menu path and what to do if the option is missing.
Key Takeaways: How to Return to Classic Outlook
- New Outlook toggle > General > “Go back to classic Outlook”: The exact menu path to revert from new Outlook to classic Outlook.
- File > Options > General > “Go back to classic Outlook”: Alternative path if the toggle is hidden or the ribbon is collapsed.
- Outlook version check in File > Office Account: Verifies you are running new Outlook and not a preview build that lacks the option.
Why the “Go Back” Option Is Hard to Find After Switching
When you first open new Outlook, a toggle in the upper-right corner says “Try the new Outlook.” After you click that toggle and restart Outlook, the toggle disappears. Microsoft designed the new Outlook as the default experience for many users, so the return path is moved to a less prominent location. The option is still present, but you must open the settings menu to find it. This change confuses many users who expect the toggle to remain visible after switching.
The new Outlook for Windows is a separate application from classic Outlook. It uses a different codebase and a simplified interface. Microsoft has stated that classic Outlook will remain available for enterprise customers who need features not yet in new Outlook, such as COM add-ins and custom form support. The “Go back to classic Outlook” option is the official method to switch back. If you do not see it, your account may be part of a Microsoft 365 preview program that hides the option intentionally.
Steps to Find and Use “Go Back to Classic Outlook”
Follow these steps exactly. The option is not visible on the main Outlook window. You must navigate through the settings menu.
- Open Outlook settings
In new Outlook, click the File tab in the upper-left corner. If you do not see the File tab, click the ribbon display options icon (a small downward arrow) at the top of the window and select Show Classic Ribbon. The File tab then appears. - Go to the General section
In the left sidebar, click Options. Then click General in the left pane of the Options dialog. - Locate the “Go back to classic Outlook” button
Scroll down in the General section. Look for a heading that reads “Go back to classic Outlook”. It appears below the “Appearance” and “Notifications” settings. The button is a clickable link, not a toggle. - Click the button and confirm
Click Go back to classic Outlook. A confirmation dialog appears. Click Yes. Outlook closes and reopens in classic mode. Your mail profile, accounts, and settings remain intact.
If You Cannot Find the Option in File > Options
Some users report that the “Go back to classic Outlook” option is missing from the General section. This happens when you are running a preview version of new Outlook that does not include the revert feature. To check your version:
- Open File > Office Account
In new Outlook, click File then Office Account. Look under “Product Information.” - Check the version number
If the version string contains “Preview” or “Beta,” you are in a preview channel. Preview builds sometimes disable the revert option to encourage testing. - Switch to the production channel
Uninstall new Outlook and reinstall it from the Microsoft Store. The production version always includes the “Go back to classic Outlook” option.
Alternative Method: Use the Windows Control Panel
If the settings menu method does not work, you can force classic Outlook to become the default again by uninstalling the new Outlook app. This method removes new Outlook entirely and restores classic Outlook as the default mail client.
- Open Windows Settings
Press Windows key + I to open Settings. - Go to Apps > Installed apps
Scroll the list to find Outlook (new) or Microsoft Outlook. - Uninstall new Outlook
Click the three dots next to the entry and select Uninstall. Confirm the prompt. Classic Outlook will launch the next time you open a mailto link or start Outlook from the Start menu.
What to Do If You Still See New Outlook After Uninstalling
“I uninstalled new Outlook but classic Outlook still does not open”
This happens when Windows still associates mailto links with the new Outlook app even after uninstallation. To fix the default association:
- Open Windows Settings
Press Windows key + I and go to Apps > Default apps. - Search for “Outlook”
In the search box under “Set defaults for applications,” type Outlook. - Set classic Outlook as default
Click the current default app and choose Microsoft Outlook (classic) from the list. Repeat this for all file types and protocol links shown.
“The ‘Go back’ button does nothing when I click it”
This is a known bug in certain builds of new Outlook. The button appears clickable but no dialog appears. The workaround is to uninstall new Outlook as described above. After uninstalling, restart your computer and open classic Outlook from the Start menu. Your accounts and data will be intact because classic Outlook uses the same profile and OST file.
New Outlook vs Classic Outlook: Key Differences for the Return Decision
| Item | New Outlook | Classic Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | Simplified ribbon, web-style layout | Full ribbon with customizable toolbars |
| Add-in support | COM add-ins not supported; only web add-ins | Full COM and VSTO add-in support |
| Offline access | Requires cached mode; limited offline features | Full offline access with OST file |
| Account types | Microsoft 365, Exchange, IMAP, POP, Outlook.com | Same plus Exchange on-premises and additional providers |
| Custom forms | Not supported | Fully supported with VBScript and form regions |
The table above shows the main reasons users choose to go back to classic Outlook. If you rely on COM add-ins, custom forms, or offline access with full functionality, classic Outlook remains the better choice.
Conclusion
You can now navigate to the “Go back to classic Outlook” option through File > Options > General in new Outlook. If that path is unavailable, uninstalling new Outlook from Windows Settings is a reliable alternative. After reverting, verify that classic Outlook is set as the default mail client in Windows Default Apps. As a next step, check that your add-ins and custom forms load correctly in classic Outlook to confirm the switch was successful.