Text Predictions in the new Outlook for Windows suggests complete words and phrases as you type an email. This feature uses AI to guess what you intend to write next based on the context of your sentence. If you find the suggestions helpful, you can keep them on. If they distract you or interrupt your flow, you can turn them off completely. This article explains exactly what Text Predictions does, how to enable or disable it in the new Outlook, and what to do when the feature behaves unexpectedly.
Key Takeaways: New Outlook Text Predictions On or Off
- Settings > Mail > Compose and Reply > Text Predictions toggle: Turns the feature on or off for all new messages and replies.
- Escape key during typing: Rejects a suggestion without changing the text you already typed.
- Tab or right-arrow key to accept: Inserts the suggested word or phrase into your message.
What Text Predictions Does in New Outlook
Text Predictions is an AI-powered writing assistant built into the new Outlook for Windows. When you are composing a message, Outlook analyzes the words you have typed and predicts the next word or short phrase. The prediction appears in a lighter gray font directly after your cursor. You can accept the suggestion by pressing the Tab key or the right-arrow key. You can reject it by simply continuing to type or by pressing the Escape key.
The feature works in new messages, replies, and forwards. It does not work in the subject line, calendar events, or task descriptions. Text Predictions requires an active internet connection because the predictions are processed on Microsoft servers. The feature is available in the new Outlook for Windows version 1.2023.x and later. It is not available in classic Outlook (Outlook 2019, 2021, or Microsoft 365 classic).
No additional setup is needed beyond enabling the toggle. The feature learns from your writing style over time but does not store full messages on Microsoft servers. Microsoft states that predictions are generated in real time and are not saved after the session ends.
Steps to Enable or Disable Text Predictions
You can control Text Predictions from the Outlook settings panel. The toggle applies to all email accounts configured in the new Outlook. There is no per-account setting for this feature.
- Open Outlook Settings
Click the gear icon in the upper-right corner of the Outlook window. The Settings pane opens. - Go to Mail Settings
In the Settings pane, click Mail in the left column. - Select Compose and Reply
Under the Mail section, click Compose and Reply. This page contains all writing-related options. - Find the Text Predictions toggle
Scroll down to the Text Predictions section. You will see a toggle switch labeled Suggest words or phrases as I type. - Toggle the feature on or off
Click the toggle to turn it blue (enabled) or gray (disabled). The change applies immediately. No restart is required.
To verify the change, open a new email message. If the feature is enabled, you will see gray predictions appear as you type. If disabled, no predictions will show.
Common Issues When Using Text Predictions
Text Predictions do not appear even when enabled
This usually happens when the internet connection is slow or interrupted. Text Predictions requires a stable connection to Microsoft servers. Check your network status by opening a web page in your browser. If the page loads, try closing and reopening Outlook. If predictions still do not appear, sign out of your Microsoft 365 account in Outlook and sign back in.
Text Predictions suggest the wrong words
The AI model bases predictions on the immediate context of your sentence. If you are writing about a niche topic or using uncommon vocabulary, predictions may be inaccurate. Continue typing normally. The feature does not learn from corrections in real time. If wrong suggestions persist, disable the feature and use your own typing instead.
Text Predictions stop working after an Outlook update
An update can sometimes reset the toggle to its default state. Open Settings > Mail > Compose and Reply and check the Text Predictions toggle. If it is off, turn it back on. If it is already on but predictions still do not appear, try the network troubleshooting steps above.
Escape key does not reject a prediction
The Escape key works only when the prediction is visible and the cursor is directly after the last typed character. If you move the cursor away or click elsewhere, the prediction disappears on its own. Press Escape immediately after the prediction appears. If it still does not reject, click anywhere outside the compose area and then click back into the message body.
Text Predictions On vs Off: What Changes
| Item | Text Predictions On | Text Predictions Off |
|---|---|---|
| Typing experience | Gray suggestions appear inline after each word | No suggestions; standard typing only |
| Accepted predictions | Press Tab or right-arrow to insert | Not applicable |
| Rejected predictions | Press Escape or keep typing | Not applicable |
| Internet requirement | Required for predictions to appear | No internet needed for typing |
| Privacy impact | Text is processed on Microsoft servers in real time | No text leaves your device |
Enabling Text Predictions can speed up your writing for common phrases and replies. Disabling it gives you full control over every word. The choice depends on whether you prefer AI assistance or manual typing.
You now know how to enable or disable Text Predictions in the new Outlook. Try composing a reply with predictions on to see if it fits your workflow. If you decide the feature is not for you, you can turn it off in under 30 seconds. For more control over your email writing, explore the built-in spelling and grammar checker under Settings > Mail > Compose and Reply > Spelling and Autocorrect.