Wednesday, 9 April 2025
Compare the features of Microsoft's AI-powered Copilot in classic and new Outlook to understand its capabilities and choose the best version for your needs.
Microsoft's AI-powered Copilot adds new productivity features to Outlook. As Microsoft introduces the new version of Outlook, many users are now wondering how Copilot works in both the classic and new versions.
While we currently advise our customers to continue using the classic Outlook for better stability and compatibility, it’s helpful to understand what Copilot can (and can’t) do in each version.
Copilot’s Role in Outlook
Copilot is designed to help users by improving email drafting, summarising conversations and streamlining productivity through AI-driven insights. Classic Outlook does not have the same level of AI integration, but most of the features are still available.
Feature Comparison: Copilot in New Outlook vs. Classic Outlook
(Last updated: April 8, 2025)
Below is a side-by-side comparison of how Copilot works in each version1:
| Copilot Feature | Classic Outlook | New Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| Apply coaching suggestions | Upcoming | Available |
| Get email coaching by Copilot in Outlook | Available | Available |
| Chat with Copilot | Not available | Available |
| Coaching by Copilot | Available | Available |
| Copilot app | Available | Available |
| Draft with Copilot | Available | Available |
| Schedule a meeting with Copilot from an email thread | Not available | Available |
| Summarise an email thread | Available | Available |
Why We Recommend Classic Outlook Over the New Version
While Copilot introduces powerful AI-driven enhancements in the new Outlook, the classic Outlook remains the best choice for stability and full functionality. New Outlook currently lacks support for PST files, does not allow opening .eml attachments and does not support the majority of third-party plugins. Users have also reported a slower interface compared to classic Outlook. If Copilot's advanced features are critical to your workflow, it may be worth exploring the new Outlook. For most users, however, classic Outlook will still provide a reliable and feature-rich experience.
Reference and Further Reading
For the latest details on Copilot features in Outlook, you can refer to Microsoft's official support article here:
Feature Comparison Between New Outlook and Classic Outlook
As Microsoft continues to develop and refine Copilot’s capabilities, we’ll monitor how these features evolve in both versions of Outlook.
If you have any questions about Copilot or Outlook, our team is here to help.
Get expert advice.
Call us: 0808 164 4142
Message us: https://www.grantmcgregor.co.uk/contact-us
