New Outlook Multiple Windows: Open mail, calendar, and settings side by side

The new Outlook for Windows, also known as Outlook on the web, does not support opening multiple windows by default like the classic Outlook desktop app does. This limitation frustrates users who want to view their calendar while composing an email or check settings without closing the current view. The new Outlook is a web-based application that runs inside a single browser-like container, which restricts the ability to launch separate windows for different modules. This article explains how to open multiple windows in the new Outlook using a built-in workaround, how to launch calendar and mail in separate browser tabs, and what to do when the feature is not available.

Why the New Outlook Restricts Multiple Windows

The new Outlook is built on web technologies and runs inside a single browser process. Unlike the classic Outlook desktop application, which uses separate windows for different modules, the new Outlook renders mail, calendar, people, and settings as different pages within the same browser tab. This design reduces memory usage and simplifies updates, but it prevents users from dragging a calendar tab out into a separate window.

Microsoft has acknowledged this limitation and added a hidden context menu option that allows opening individual folders or modules in a new window. This workaround does not break the web app architecture. It simply creates a second browser window that loads the same Outlook session. The feature works with mail folders, calendars, contact groups, and some settings pages.

Steps to Open Multiple Windows in the New Outlook

You can open mail, calendar, or settings in a separate window using the context menu or a keyboard shortcut. Follow these steps to get side-by-side views.

Method 1: Right-Click and Choose Open in New Window

1. Open the new Outlook app
   Launch Outlook from the Start menu or taskbar. Sign in with your work or school account if prompted.
2. Navigate to the module you want to open in a new window
   Click Mail, Calendar, People, or Settings in the left navigation pane.
3. Right-click a specific folder or calendar name
   In Mail, right-click Inbox, Sent Items, or any custom folder. In Calendar, right-click a calendar name under My Calendars. In People, right-click a contact group.
4. Select Open in new window from the context menu
   A new browser window appears showing only that folder or calendar. You can resize and position it next to the main Outlook window.

Method 2: Ctrl+Click Any Navigation Icon

1. Hold the Ctrl key on your keyboard
   Keep the key pressed while you perform the next step.
2. Click Mail, Calendar, or People in the left navigation pane
   Outlook opens the selected module in a new browser window. Release the Ctrl key after the window appears.
3. Repeat to open additional windows
   You can open multiple windows for different modules. Each window retains your current session and does not require sign-in again.

Method 3: Open Outlook Web in a Separate Browser Tab

1. Open your default web browser
   Use Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, or any modern browser.
2. Go to Outlook on the web
   Type outlook.office.com in the address bar and press Enter. Sign in with the same account you use in the new Outlook app.
3. Open a second browser tab or window
   Press Ctrl+T to open a new tab. Navigate to a different Outlook module, such as Calendar or People. Arrange the two browser windows side by side.

Limitations and Things to Avoid

The multiple windows feature in the new Outlook has several constraints you need to understand before relying on it.

The New Window Does Not Show All Modules

When you open a folder in a new window, the secondary window displays only that folder. You cannot switch to a different module inside the new window. If you need to see both your inbox and your calendar, you must open each in a separate window from the main Outlook window.

Settings Cannot Be Opened in a Separate Window

The right-click method does not work for Settings. Right-clicking the Settings gear icon shows no context menu. To view settings while keeping your inbox open, use the browser tab method described in Method 3.

Windows Close When You Sign Out

All secondary windows are tied to your Outlook session. If you sign out of the main Outlook window or close the primary app, all secondary windows close automatically. Sign out only when you are done working with multiple windows.

The Feature May Not Appear in Some Accounts

Right-clicking a folder and seeing Open in new window depends on the Outlook version and your organization’s settings. If the option is missing, your IT administrator may have disabled the feature for security reasons. Use the Ctrl+click method as an alternative.

New Outlook vs Classic Outlook: Multiple Windows Comparison

Item	New Outlook	Classic Outlook
Open separate window for each module	Right-click folder or Ctrl+click icon	Click View > Open in New Window or drag tab
Open settings in a separate window	Not supported directly	File > Options opens a separate window
Side-by-side calendar and mail	Yes, using two windows or browser tabs	Yes, drag calendar to a new window
Secondary window retains full navigation	No, only shows the folder you selected	Yes, full navigation bar in each window
Number of simultaneous windows	Limited by system memory	Limited by system memory

The new Outlook provides a functional but limited way to work with multiple windows. The classic Outlook offers a more flexible experience with full navigation in each window. If you rely heavily on side-by-side views, consider using the classic Outlook app until Microsoft enhances the new Outlook.

If the New Window Feature Still Does Not Work

When the context menu or Ctrl+click method fails to open a new window, try these steps to restore the functionality.

Restart the New Outlook App

Close the new Outlook completely. Right-click the Outlook icon in the system tray and select Exit. Wait five seconds, then reopen Outlook from the Start menu. Test the right-click method again.

Clear the Outlook Cache

1. Close the new Outlook app
   Make sure no Outlook windows are open.
2. Open Run dialog
   Press Windows key + R on your keyboard.
3. Type the cache path
   Enter %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Outlook\Web and press Enter.
4. Delete the Cache folder
   Select the Cache folder and press Delete. Confirm the deletion.
5. Restart Outlook
   Open the new Outlook app. The cache rebuilds automatically. Test the new window feature.

Switch to Classic Outlook Temporarily

If the new Outlook continues to block multiple windows, you can switch back to the classic Outlook app. Open Outlook, click the toggle at the top right, and select Use the classic Outlook. The classic version supports full window management with no restrictions.

Conclusion

You can now open mail, calendar, people, and specific folders in separate windows using the right-click menu or the Ctrl+click shortcut in the new Outlook. The browser tab method gives you a second way to view different modules side by side when the built-in feature is not available. To get the most out of your workflow, try using the Ctrl+click shortcut on the Calendar icon while keeping your inbox open in the main window. This combination gives you a dedicated calendar window that stays visible while you process email.