New Outlook Text Predictions Settings: Location and Practical Limits

Text Predictions in the new Outlook for Windows suggests words and phrases as you type to speed up email composition. This feature uses artificial intelligence to predict your next words based on context and your writing style. The feature is enabled by default in the new Outlook, but you can turn it off or adjust its behavior. This article explains exactly where to find the Text Predictions settings and describes the practical limits you will encounter when using this feature.

How Text Predictions Work in the New Outlook

Text Predictions is an AI-driven feature in the new Outlook for Windows that analyzes your typing in real time. When you pause or type a few words, Outlook predicts the next word or phrase and displays it as faded gray text directly in the message body. You press the Tab key to insert the prediction, or you can continue typing to dismiss it. The feature learns from your writing patterns over time, so predictions become more accurate the more you use it.

The feature is available in the new Outlook for Windows version 1.2021 and later. It works only when you are composing new messages or replying to emails. It does not work in calendar items, tasks, or other Outlook modules. The predictions are generated on Microsoft servers, so an active internet connection is required. The feature does not store your typed text permanently; it uses a temporary context window of the last few sentences to generate predictions.

Prerequisites for Text Predictions

Before you can use Text Predictions, your system must meet these requirements:

• You must be using the new Outlook for Windows, not the classic Outlook. The classic Outlook does not have this feature.
• Your Microsoft 365 subscription must be active. Text Predictions is included with Microsoft 365 Family, Personal, Business, and Enterprise plans.
• You must be signed in with a Microsoft 365 work, school, or personal account. Free Outlook.com accounts do not receive Text Predictions.
• An internet connection is required because predictions are processed on Microsoft servers.
• The feature supports English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Chinese Simplified, and Japanese. Predictions are not available for other languages.

Where to Find Text Predictions Settings in New Outlook

The settings for Text Predictions in the new Outlook are located in a single place. Follow these steps to access and change the setting:

1. Open Outlook Settings
   In the new Outlook, click the gear icon in the upper right corner of the window. The Settings pane opens on the right side of the screen.
2. Go to Mail Settings
   In the Settings pane, click the Mail tab at the top. This opens the Mail settings section.
3. Select Compose and Reply
   In the Mail settings list on the left, scroll down and click Compose and Reply. This section contains options for message formatting, signatures, and text predictions.
4. Locate Text Predictions Toggle
   Scroll down to the Text Predictions section. You will see a toggle switch labeled Suggest words or phrases as I type. The toggle is blue when enabled and gray when disabled.
5. Enable or Disable the Feature
   Click the toggle to turn Text Predictions on or off. The change takes effect immediately. You do not need to restart Outlook.

There are no additional sub-settings for Text Predictions. You cannot adjust prediction frequency, sensitivity, or the number of suggested words. The feature is either on or off globally for all accounts configured in the new Outlook.

Practical Limits and Behavior of Text Predictions

Text Predictions in the new Outlook has several practical limits that affect how and when it works. Understanding these limits will help you avoid confusion when the feature does not behave as expected.

Predictions Appear Only in the Message Body

Text Predictions work exclusively in the message body area of a new email, reply, or forward. The feature does not suggest text in the Subject line, To field, CC field, or BCC field. It also does not work in the search bar, calendar events, or task descriptions.

No Customization of Prediction Style or Frequency

You cannot change how predictions are displayed. They always appear as gray inline text. You cannot increase or decrease the number of predicted words shown. The prediction engine decides how many words to suggest based on context. You also cannot set a delay before predictions appear.

Predictions Require an Active Internet Connection

Because predictions are generated on Microsoft servers, the feature stops working when you are offline. If you lose internet connectivity while typing, predictions will stop appearing until the connection is restored. Outlook does not cache prediction models locally.

Language Support Is Limited

Text Predictions support only the eight languages listed earlier. If you compose emails in a language not in that list, the feature will not activate. The language detection is based on the text you type, not your Outlook display language. If you switch between supported and unsupported languages in the same message, predictions stop for the unsupported portion.

Predictions Do Not Work in Plain Text Emails

Text Predictions only function when composing in HTML format. If you set the default compose format to Plain Text for a specific account or for a single message, predictions will not appear. You can check the message format by looking at the Format Text tab in the ribbon. HTML must be selected for predictions to work.

Predictions Are Not Available in Encrypted or Rights-Managed Messages

When you compose a message with Office 365 Message Encryption or Information Rights Management, Text Predictions are disabled. Microsoft disables AI features in protected messages to ensure data security. If you need predictions, compose the message without encryption and apply protection after the message is complete.

Predictions Do Not Transfer Between Devices

The prediction model is tied to your Microsoft account, but it does not sync between devices. If you use the new Outlook on multiple computers, each device builds its own prediction model independently. You may see different suggestions on different machines until the model trains on enough of your writing on each device.

Text Predictions vs. Other Typing Assist Features in Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 includes several features that assist with typing. The table below compares Text Predictions in the new Outlook with similar features in other Microsoft 365 apps.

Item	New Outlook Text Predictions	Word Predictive Text
Where it works	Message body only in new Outlook	Document body in Word for Microsoft 365
Activation method	Press Tab to accept prediction	Press Enter or Tab to accept prediction
Customization options	On/off toggle only	On/off toggle only
Internet requirement	Required	Not required
Language support	8 languages	Over 50 languages
Available in encrypted content	No	Yes
Syncs across devices	No	No

Common Misunderstandings About Text Predictions in New Outlook

Several misconceptions exist about how Text Predictions work in the new Outlook. Knowing these can prevent frustration.

Text Predictions Are Not the Same as AutoText or Quick Parts

Text Predictions suggest words based on AI analysis of your current sentence. AutoText and Quick Parts are stored reusable content blocks that you insert manually. These features are independent of each other. Disabling Text Predictions does not affect AutoText or Quick Parts.

Text Predictions Do Not Use Your Email History

Microsoft states that Text Predictions use only the context of the current message and your recent typing in the same session. The feature does not scan your Sent Items folder or past conversations to generate predictions. This means predictions cannot reference names, places, or topics from older emails.

Turning Off Text Predictions Does Not Disable Other AI Features

The toggle in Settings > Mail > Compose and Reply controls only Text Predictions. Other AI features in the new Outlook, such as Smart Compose suggestions in the To field or message summarization, have their own separate settings. You must configure each feature individually.

Conclusion

You can now locate the Text Predictions setting in the new Outlook under Settings > Mail > Compose and Reply. The feature is a simple on/off toggle with no additional customization options. Remember that predictions require an internet connection, work only in HTML emails, and support only eight languages. If you find predictions distracting, you can disable the toggle at any time without affecting other typing aids. For more control over your typing experience, explore the Quick Parts feature in the Insert tab, which lets you save and reuse text blocks manually.