MC901831 – (Updated) New Microsoft Outlook for web and Windows: Organize and reorder folders

Product:

Exchange, Microsoft 365 Apps, Microsoft 365 for the web, Outlook

Platform:

Online, US Instances, Web, Windows Desktop, World tenant

Status:

In development

Change type:

New feature, Updated message, User impact

Links:

378775

Details:

Summary:
The new Microsoft Outlook update allows reordering of folders, automatically importing folder order from classic Outlook. Rollout timelines have been updated: Targeted Release in late November to December 2024, General Availability in January to February 2025, and for GCC, GCC High, DoD in February to March 2025. Users can customize folder order or keep alphabetical default. The update is on by default, with no admin action required before rollout.

Details:
Updated October 17, 2024: We have updated the rollout timeline below. Thank you for your patience.
Coming soon: We will automatically import the folder order from classic Microsoft Outlook for Windows to new Microsoft Outlook for Windows and Outlook for the web. If users have not customized their folder order, the default view will continue to display folders alphabetically in the new Outlook.
This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 378775.
[When this will happen:]
Targeted Release: We will begin rolling out late November 2024 (previously early October) and expect to complete by late December 2024 (previously early November).
General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out January 2025 (previously early November) and expect to complete by early February 2025 (previously early December).
General Availability (GCC, GCC High, DoD): We will begin rolling out early February 2025 (previously early December) and expect to complete by early March 2025 (previously early January).

Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
General Availability

Created:
2024-10-01

updated:
2024-10-18

Public Preview Start Date

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summary for non-techies**

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Direct effects for Operations**

Folder Structure Changes
Users who have customized their folder order in classic Outlook may experience unexpected changes to their folder structure, as the new Outlook supports only alphabetical ordering.
   - roles: End Users, IT Support
   - references: https://support.microsoft.com/office/change-the-order-of-folders-in-the-folder-pane-f333a1e5-2124-4900-a300-79e9692f085c, https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=378775

User Confusion
The automatic transition to the new folder ordering may confuse users who are accustomed to their previous custom order, leading to potential disruptions in their workflow.
   - roles: End Users, Training Coordinators
   - references: https://support.microsoft.com/office/change-the-order-of-folders-in-the-folder-pane-f333a1e5-2124-4900-a300-79e9692f085c, https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=378775

Documentation Updates
Existing documentation may become outdated or misleading, requiring updates to reflect the new folder organization features, which could lead to inconsistencies in user guidance.
   - roles: Documentation Specialists, IT Support
   - references: https://support.microsoft.com/office/change-the-order-of-folders-in-the-folder-pane-f333a1e5-2124-4900-a300-79e9692f085c, https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=378775

Configutation Options**

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Opportunities**

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Potentional Risks**

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IT Security**

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explanation for non-techies**

Microsoft is rolling out an update to Outlook that allows users to reorder their email folders. Think of it like rearranging books on a shelf. In the classic Outlook, you might have arranged your folders in a specific order that made sense to you, like putting your most-used folders at the top. With this update, Outlook will automatically bring over your custom folder order from the classic version to the new Outlook for Windows and the web. If you haven't set a custom order, the folders will be listed alphabetically by default.

This change is akin to a library updating its catalog system. Previously, books might have been arranged in a way that suited the librarian's preferences. Now, the library introduces a new system that can either follow the old arrangement or default to an alphabetical order. Special sections, like reference books or new arrivals, will still be prominently displayed, just like how Inbox and Sent Items will remain at the top in Outlook.

The update will happen automatically, and there's no need for IT administrators to take any action beforehand. Users can choose to keep their folders in alphabetical order or customize them by dragging and dropping folders into their preferred order. This flexibility allows users to tailor their email organization to their workflow, much like how one might rearrange their workspace for optimal efficiency.

For those who want to make changes, it's as simple as selecting options from the Outlook ribbon under View > Layout > Folder pane. This update is designed to make email management more intuitive and personalized, ensuring that users can quickly access the folders they need most. It's a small change that can make a big difference in daily productivity, similar to how rearranging your desk can make your workday smoother.