check before: 2026-05-15
Product:
Exchange, Microsoft 365 Apps, Outlook, Purview, Purview Communication Compliance, Windows
Platform:
Online, US Instances, Windows Desktop, World tenant
Status:
Rolling out
Change type:
New feature, Updated message, User impact
Links:
Details:
Summary:
The new Outlook for Windows will support storing S/MIME certificates directly in Contacts, enabling encrypted emails and seamless transition from classic Outlook. Rollout starts late May 2026 worldwide, mid-June for GCC. No admin action needed; users should add certificates and update documentation accordingly.
Details:
Updated May 27, 2026: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.
[Introduction]
The new Outlook for Windows now allows users to store S/MIME encryption certificates directly within Contacts. This capability enables users to save recipients' public certificates and use them to send S/MIME encrypted emails, improving secure communication and continuity when transitioning from classic Outlook for Windows (Win32). Certificates previously stored in Contacts in classic Outlook will automatically be available in new Outlook.
This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 518288.
[When this will happen:]
General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out in late May 2026 (previously mid-May) and expect to complete by mid-June 2026 (previously late May).
General Availability (GCC): We will begin rolling out in mid-June 2026 (previously early June) and expect to complete by late June 2026.
Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
General Availability
Created:
2026-05-07
updated:
2026-05-28
Task Type
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Docu to Check
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MS How does it affect me
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MS Preperations
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MS Urgency
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MS workload name
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linked item details
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Pictures
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summary for non-techies**
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Direct effects for Operations**
S/MIME Certificate Management
Users may face difficulties in managing S/MIME certificates if they are not informed about the new feature, leading to potential delays in sending encrypted emails.
- roles: End Users, Helpdesk Teams
- references: https://support.microsoft.com/office/send-s-mime-or-microsoft-purview-encrypted-emails-in-outlook-373339cb-bf1a-4509-b296-802a39d801dc, https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=518288
User Documentation and Training
Without proper updates to internal documentation and training, users may struggle to utilize the new feature effectively, impacting their ability to send secure communications.
- roles: End Users, IT Trainers
- references: https://support.microsoft.com/office/send-s-mime-or-microsoft-purview-encrypted-emails-in-outlook-373339cb-bf1a-4509-b296-802a39d801dc, https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=518288
Configutation Options**
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Data Protection**
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explanation for non-techies**
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** AI generated content. This information must be reviewed before use.
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change history
| Date | Property | old | new |
| 2026-05-28 | MC Messages | Updated May 21, 2026: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.
[Introduction] The new Outlook for Windows now allows users to store S/MIME encryption certificates directly within Contacts. This capability enables users to save recipients' public certificates and use them to send S/MIME encrypted emails, improving secure communication and continuity when transitioning from classic Outlook for Windows (Win32). Certificates previously stored in Contacts in classic Outlook will automatically be available in new Outlook. This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 518288. [When this will happen:] General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out in late May 2026 (previously mid-May) and expect to complete late May 2026. General Availability (GCC): We will begin rolling out in early June 2026 and expect to complete by late June 2026. | Updated May 27, 2026: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.
[Introduction] The new Outlook for Windows now allows users to store S/MIME encryption certificates directly within Contacts. This capability enables users to save recipients' public certificates and use them to send S/MIME encrypted emails, improving secure communication and continuity when transitioning from classic Outlook for Windows (Win32). Certificates previously stored in Contacts in classic Outlook will automatically be available in new Outlook. This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 518288. [When this will happen:] General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out in late May 2026 (previously mid-May) and expect to complete by mid-June 2026 (previously late May). General Availability (GCC): We will begin rolling out in mid-June 2026 (previously early June) and expect to complete by late June 2026. |
| 2026-05-28 | MC Last Updated | 05/21/2026 18:16:43 | 2026-05-27T18:58:33Z |
| 2026-05-28 | MC Summary | The new Outlook for Windows will support storing S/MIME certificates directly in Contacts, enabling encrypted emails and continuity from classic Outlook. This feature rolls out worldwide late-May 2026, requires no admin setup, and improves secure communication for organizations using S/MIME encryption. | The new Outlook for Windows will support storing S/MIME certificates directly in Contacts, enabling encrypted emails and seamless transition from classic Outlook. Rollout starts late May 2026 worldwide, mid-June for GCC. No admin action needed; users should add certificates and update documentation accordingly. |
| 2026-05-22 | MC Messages | [Introduction]
The new Outlook for Windows now allows users to store S/MIME encryption certificates directly within Contacts. This capability enables users to save recipients' public certificates and use them to send S/MIME encrypted emails, improving secure communication and continuity when transitioning from classic Outlook for Windows (Win32). Certificates previously stored in Contacts in classic Outlook will automatically be available in new Outlook. This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 518288. [When this will happen:] General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out in mid-May 2026 and expect to complete by late May 2026. General Availability (GCC): We will begin rolling out in early June 2026 and expect to complete by late June 2026. | Updated May 21, 2026: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.
[Introduction] The new Outlook for Windows now allows users to store S/MIME encryption certificates directly within Contacts. This capability enables users to save recipients' public certificates and use them to send S/MIME encrypted emails, improving secure communication and continuity when transitioning from classic Outlook for Windows (Win32). Certificates previously stored in Contacts in classic Outlook will automatically be available in new Outlook. This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 518288. [When this will happen:] General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out in late May 2026 (previously mid-May) and expect to complete late May 2026. General Availability (GCC): We will begin rolling out in early June 2026 and expect to complete by late June 2026. |
| 2026-05-22 | MC Title | Outlook: Support for storing S/MIME certificates in contacts in new Outlook | (Updated) Outlook: Support for storing S/MIME certificates in contacts in new Outlook |
| 2026-05-22 | MC Last Updated | 05/07/2026 00:54:47 | 2026-05-21T18:16:43Z |
| 2026-05-22 | MC MessageTagNames | New feature, User impact | Updated message, New feature, User impact |
| 2026-05-22 | MC Summary | The new Outlook for Windows will support storing S/MIME certificates directly in Contacts, enabling encrypted emails and continuity from classic Outlook. This feature rolls out worldwide mid-May 2026, requires no admin setup, and improves secure communication for organizations using S/MIME encryption. | The new Outlook for Windows will support storing S/MIME certificates directly in Contacts, enabling encrypted emails and continuity from classic Outlook. This feature rolls out worldwide late-May 2026, requires no admin setup, and improves secure communication for organizations using S/MIME encryption. |
Last updated 2 weeks ago ago
