check before: 2024-12-15
Product:
Microsoft 365 Apps, Outlook
Platform:
Online, US Instances, Web, Windows Desktop, World tenant
Status:
Launched
Change type:
Admin impact, New feature, Updated message, User impact
Links:
Details:
Summary:
Outlook for Windows is rolling out S/MIME support for sending and reading signed and encrypted emails. Rollout began mid-December 2024 and will continue through February 2025, excluding DoD for now. No admin action is needed, but users should be informed of the update.
Details:
Updated January 21, 2025: After further review, we will not be rolling this out to DoD during the timeline outlined below. We will communicate via Message center when we are ready to proceed. Organizations in GCC High and DoD can safely disregard this message. Thank you for your patience.
We are rolling out fundamental Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (S/MIME) support for primary accounts in new Outlook. With this new feature, new Outlook will start supporting sending and reading signed and encrypted emails.
In new Microsoft Outlook, this option is available in Options > More Options.
This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 397891.
[When this will happen:]
General Availability (Worldwide): We began rolling out mid-December 2024 and expect to complete by late January 2025.
General Availability (GCC): We will begin rolling out early February 2025 and expect to complete by mid-February 2025.
General Availability (GCC High, DoD): We will communicate via Message center when we are ready to proceed.
Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
General Availability
Created:
2025-01-08
updated:
2025-01-24
Public Preview Start Date
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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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summary for non-techies**
Outlook for Windows is introducing S/MIME support for sending and reading signed and encrypted emails, rolling out from December 2024 to February 2025, enhancing email security and privacy without requiring IT administrator intervention.
Direct effects for Operations**
User Confusion
Users may be confused about the new S/MIME features and how to use them, leading to potential miscommunication or errors in email handling.
- roles: End Users, IT Support Staff
- references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=397891, https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365-apps/outlook/overview-new-outlook
Increased Support Requests
The rollout may lead to an increase in support requests as users encounter issues or have questions about the new S/MIME functionality.
- roles: IT Support Staff, Help Desk Agents
- references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=397891, https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365-apps/outlook/overview-new-outlook
Email Security Risks
If users are not properly informed about the S/MIME features, they may inadvertently send sensitive information without encryption, leading to security risks.
- roles: End Users, Compliance Officers
- references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=397891, https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365-apps/outlook/overview-new-outlook
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**
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** AI generated content. This information must be reviewed before use.
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change history
| Date | Property | old | new |
| 2025-01-24 | MC Messages | We are rolling out fundamental Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (S/MIME) support for primary accounts in new Outlook. With this new feature, new Outlook will start supporting sending and reading signed and encrypted emails.
In new Microsoft Outlook, this option is available in Options > More Options. This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 397891. [When this will happen:] General Availability (Worldwide): We began rolling out mid-December 2024 and expect to complete by late January 2025. General Availability (GCC): We will begin rolling out early February 2025 and expect to complete by mid-February 2025. General Availability (GCC High, DoD): We will begin rolling out mid-February 2025 and expect to complete by late February 2025. | Updated January 21, 2025: After further review, we will not be rolling this out to DoD during the timeline outlined below. We will communicate via Message center when we are ready to proceed. Organizations in GCC High and DoD can safely disregard this message. Thank you for your patience.
We are rolling out fundamental Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (S/MIME) support for primary accounts in new Outlook. With this new feature, new Outlook will start supporting sending and reading signed and encrypted emails. In new Microsoft Outlook, this option is available in Options > More Options. This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 397891. [When this will happen:] General Availability (Worldwide): We began rolling out mid-December 2024 and expect to complete by late January 2025. General Availability (GCC): We will begin rolling out early February 2025 and expect to complete by mid-February 2025. General Availability (GCC High, DoD): We will communicate via Message center when we are ready to proceed. |
| 2025-01-24 | MC Title | Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions encryption support in new Outlook for Windows | (Updated) Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions encryption support in new Outlook for Windows |
| 2025-01-24 | MC Last Updated | 01/08/2025 01:24:41 | 2025-01-23T23:41:09Z |
| 2025-01-24 | MC MessageTagNames | New feature, User impact, Admin impact | Updated message, New feature, User impact, Admin impact |
| 2025-01-24 | MC Summary | New Outlook for Windows is rolling out S/MIME support for sending and reading signed and encrypted emails. This feature is accessible in Options > More Options and will not impact organizations not using New Outlook or without S/MIME setup. Rollout is automatic, requiring no admin action but user notification is advised. | Outlook for Windows is rolling out S/MIME support for sending and reading signed and encrypted emails. Rollout began mid-December 2024 and will continue through February 2025, excluding DoD for now. No admin action is needed, but users should be informed of the update. |
Last updated 2 months ago
