Microsoft Outlook is a personal information manager software system from Microsoft, available as a part of the Microsoft 365 software suites. Though primarily being popular as an email client for businesses, Outlook also includes functions such as calendaring, task managing, contact managing, note-taking, journal logging, web browsing, and RSS news aggregation.
Individuals can use Outlook as a stand-alone application; organizations can deploy it as multi-user software (through Microsoft Exchange Server or SharePoint) for shared functions such as mailboxes, calendars, folders, data aggregation (i.e., SharePoint lists), and as appointment scheduling apps.
Other than the paid software on Windows and Mac desktops that this article talks about, the Outlook name also covers several other current software:
Outlook on the web, formerly Outlook Web App, a web version of Microsoft Outlook, included in Microsoft 365, Exchange Server, and Exchange Online (domain outlook.office365.com) Outlook for Windows, a new, free Outlook application that will be preloaded with Windows 11 from 2024 Outlook Mobile, a mobile app version of Outlook Outlook.com, formerly Hotmail, a free personal email service offered by Microsoft alongside a webmail client (domain outlook.live.com)
Versions
Outlook has replaced Microsoft's previous scheduling and email clients, Schedule+ and Exchange Client.
Outlook 98 and Outlook 2000 offer two configurations: Internet Mail Only (aka IMO mode): A lighter application mode with specific emphasis on POP3 and IMAP accounts, including a lightweight Fax application. Corporate Work group (aka CW mode): A full MAPI client with specific emphasis on Microsoft Exchange accounts.
Perpetual versions of Microsoft Outlook include:
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Outlook is a part of Office Suite that can be used as a standalone application. It helps you to access Microsoft Exchange Server email. Additionally, it provides contacts, calendaring, and task management functionality. This advanced email application is widely used for business purposes. Many organizations integrate Outlook with the Microsoft Sharepoint platform for sharing crucial file data. Also, It stores a local copy of the information on your system, when you configure an email account with Outlook.
Newer versions do not allow using browsers from other vendors to open links.
Outlook 2002
Outlook 2002 introduced these new features: Autocomplete for email addresses Colored categories for calendar items Group schedules Hyperlink support in email subject lines Native support for Outlook.com (formerly Hotmail) Improved search functionality, including the ability to stop a search and resume it later Lunar calendar support MSN Messenger integration Performance improvements Preview pane improvements, including the ability to: open hyperlinks; respond to meeting requests; and display email properties without opening a message Reminder window that consolidates all reminders for appointments and tasks in a single view Retention policies for documents and email Security improvements, including the automatic blocking of potentially unsafe attachments and of programmatic access to information in Outlook: SP1 introduced the ability to view all non-digitally signed email or unencrypted email as plain text; SP2 allows users to—through the Registry—prevent the addition of new email accounts or the creation of new Personal Storage Tables; SP3 updates the object model guard security for applications that access messages and other items. Smart tags when Word is configured as the default email editor. This option was available only when the versions of Outlook and Word were the same, i.e. both were 2002.
Outlook 2003
Outlook 2003 introduced these new features: Autocomplete suggestions for a single character Cached Exchange mode Colored (quick) flags Desktop Alert Email filtering to combat spam Images in HTML mail are blocked by default to prevent spammers from determining whether an email address is active via web beacon; SP1 introduced the ability to block email based on country code top-level domains; SP2 introduced anti-phishing functionality that automatically disables hyperlinks present in spam Expandable distribution lists Information rights management Intrinsic support for tablet PC functionality (e.g., handwriting recognition) Reading pane Search folders Unicode support