If you are a user, what are your options?
If youre a Windows user or buying a new Windows-driven computer, you might be surprised to know that what youve come to know and love with Windows Mail is changing.
With the rollout of Windows 11, Outlook for Windows is replacing the default Mail, Calendar, and People apps. Techsperts maintain that the Mail app you have been using was never the email juggernaut that people who spend a lot of time using email needed.
It had its share of issues, and you didnt get powerful email templating or filters, but those arent features your typical email user typically needs, MakeUseOfs Kris Wouk said.
What you should do
You could certainly roll the dice and hope that nothing goes wrong, but thats probably a dangerous move. Microsoft strongly encourages switching to either Outlook.com, Microsoft's web-based email client and the natural successor to Windows Live Mail/Hotmail and one that integrates with other Microsoft services.
Another option is going to the Mail app in Windows 10 and Windows 11. This built-in mail app offers a more modern and streamlined experience compared to Windows Live Mail.
If you still want to use Windows Live Mail, go on, but the Mail and Calendar applications will continue to be available via download in the Microsoft Store only through December 31, 2024, and after that, its sayonara meaning no longer supported, no updates, no feature enhancements, no help if your app gets hacked.
Wanna switch to something else?
If youve been thinking about switching email services, this might be the perfect opportunity. However, be prepared to do some work. Whether you switch to the new service getting a lot of the email love these days Hey.com or Gmail, eM Client, or Mailbird, theres going to be some readjustment.
Thunderbird is a popular free, open-source email client, but while it offers plenty of power, it isnt as slick as it could be. Mailbird is a more aesthetically pleasing choice, but it isnt free. The eM Client app is as close as you get to a free Outlook, but some features require payment, Wouk said.
These days, many people dont even use a dedicated app for email, instead relying on webmail from services like Gmail. If youre a webmail user or primarily use email on your phone, Microsofts change likely wont even register for you.
Photo Credit: Consumer Affairs News Department Images
Posted: 2024-04-17 17:19:17
