New Outlook for Windows is getting a game-changing offline feature

Microsoft’s new Outlook for Windows is on track to let you boot up the app without an internet connection, starting this October. If you’ve ever grumbled about needing Wi-Fi just to open or restart Outlook, this update might make your day.

The feature, listed under Microsoft 365 feature ID 414516, was quietly added to the roadmap on September 3, 2024. Now, in an October 8 update, Microsoft says it’s ready to roll out, even if it’s running a little late (it was initially expected earlier). But hey, better late than never.

So, what’s the big deal? Well, previously, you could only use Outlook offline if you were already connected when you started the app, and then lost internet access mid-session. That left anyone trying to open or restart the app offline out of luck. But with this new update, Outlook will boot and restart without needing an internet connection — great news for anyone stuck without Wi-Fi.

This is part of a bigger trend. Back in 2023, Microsoft teased a future with more offline features, allowing you to handle emails, calendar events, and contacts even without an internet connection. Yet, despite the hype, these features took their sweet time arriving. Initially delayed, Microsoft’s June 2024 roadmap update finally gave hope, promising offline access to stored Mail, calendar events, and contacts. And now, it’s clear that Microsoft is sticking to their offline-first vision by adding the ability to actually open Outlook offline.

While many may still favor the classic Outlook, this update marks a big step for the new version. Microsoft is moving toward more independence from the internet, which should come in handy for those who prefer — or find themselves stuck using — Outlook offline. The new offline app boot feature will start rolling out to users worldwide throughout October.

Featured image: Microsoft Edge