Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft's official messaging service

Specifications

Date updated	20/08/2024
License	Free
Operating systems	Android 9 or later, iOS 16.0 or later, macOS, Online Service, Windows 7/8/10/11
Category	Instant Messaging / Webmail
Editor’s note	4.5
App Store Rating	4.6
Play Store Rating	4.4

Microsoft Outlook Overview

Microsoft Outlook is an email service.

Microsoft Outlook Overview

Microsoft Outlook is an email service. Initially, it was an independent platform designed by the American Jack Smith during the 1990s under the name Hotmail. The company bought it the following year before evolving it in the process, so much so that it changed its name to MSN Hotmail and then Windows Live Hotmail.

Finally, Microsoft Outlook has had this name since 2012, the year in which it took its rightful place alongside the Microsoft 365 suite which includes the group’s most popular software, such as Word, Excel and others.

How to use email?

To download Microsoft Outlook, nothing could be simpler. Indeed, you must install the service then create an account or log in using your Microsoft account if you already have one. Then, the interface is intended to be easy to learn and use on a daily basis, especially since the company has modernized its service over the years.

As for the details of the Microsoft Outlook interface, precisely, we first find a toolbar on the left of the screen when you use the service from a computer. This allows you to easily navigate between the inbox, sent messages, favorites or folders.

From the top of the screen on Microsoft Outlook, a search bar gives you the possibility to add keywords to find an email more easily. It is also possible to mention the name of your correspondent if it is their email address or the name of an attachment.

In Microsoft Outlook, the central area is reserved for your emails. From the inbox, this space takes the form of a list that displays each email with the date received, the sender, the subject of the message and the beginning of the text. By default, the contents are sorted from the most recent to the oldest. Without having to go to the details of an email, you can mark it as read, move it to a folder, archive it or delete it.

With Microsoft Outlook, you can create folders that you can find from the menu. These can include the emails of your choice so that you can organize your messaging as best as possible by sorting according to your projects or themes, for example.

One of the strong points of Microsoft Outlook is also the presence of a calendar and a note-taking tool. Without leaving the service, you can take advantage of this option to organize yourself more easily, both in a personal and professional context. This is true for writing down your appointments or setting up a reminder, for example.

Otherwise, it also has a sidebar that highlights all the other Microsoft Outlook software so that you can access it with one click, this applies to Word, Excel or even PowerPoint.

Downloading Microsoft Outlook is possible from several devices. In case you want to enjoy the desktop application, know that it is accessible on computers compatible with Windows and macOS. Otherwise, the mobile application works with smartphones and tablets running Android and iOS. On the other hand, there is also an online service that gives you access to the platform from any internet browser.

There are several options when you want to download Microsoft Outlook. On the one hand, you can settle for the mobile app and the online service, in which case email remains free.

If you want to install Microsoft Outlook on your computer using the desktop application, you will have to dig into your pocket. In this case, it is possible to opt for the definitive purchase which gives you access to a lifetime license. Finally, you can subscribe to the Microsoft 365 suite.

As a reminder, the Microsoft 365 suite includes Microsoft Outlook, but also other extremely popular software such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams and many others.

Alternatives to Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Outlook has been a reference email for years, it finds an audience among individuals and professionals who seek to easily access their email exchanges. In this logic, it offers several management and organization features, where it also includes a calendar and a note-taking tool. However, there are some alternatives capable of meeting your expectations.

If downloading Microsoft Outlook, choosing Gmail is another. Google’s email service takes the form of an online service accessible from a computer or a mobile application compatible with smartphones and tablets running Android and iOS. The platform can boast of being completely free, there is no need to subscribe to the service. However, there is a paid version called Google Workspace, but it is intended for professionals only.

Like Microsoft Outlook, Gmail has been one of the most widely used email services in the world for years. In fact, it is extremely comprehensive in terms of features, you even benefit from smart replies that appear below an email you receive to save time. In addition, you benefit from direct access to other Google services, such as Meet, Calendar and others.

Otherwise, you can replace Microsoft Outlook with a French service like Orange Mail. It must be said that this is a much simpler, but effective, email service. First, there is a mobile application for Android and iOS as well as an online service available via a browser. Similarly, there is no need to pay to access all the platform’s options.

As its name suggests, Orange Mail is an email service developed by the telecom operator. However, it remains accessible to everyone without you needing to be a customer of the latter. As we said, it is less complete than Microsoft Outlook, but you still find the necessary tools to sort your emails and find your contacts easily.