Replacement for Outlook

[Pat Hartman]

I cannot get back to the old Outlook on my new Win 11 computer. I'm ready to ditch Outlook entirely. The new, but not improved Outlook is missing too many features. There has to be something better. I really dislike web apps so would prefer something that installs locally. Any suggestions?

 

[CJ_London]

This is about 12 months old but reviews alternatives. Someone i know uses thunderbird and he seems happy with it - but he is a private user, no business requirement

11 Top Outlook Alternatives to Try

Outlook is a popular and growing email client. However, it is not the only client out there. Here are some good Outlook alternatives.

kinsta.com

 

[Gasman]

I just today put Thunderbird on a friend's PC, purely as a test, as one account kept prompting for password in Outlook.

Using same password, Thunderbird configured the account automatically.

I had to install it on my sister's computer, for the same issue in Outlook a year or so ago, for the same reason.

So I would vote for Thunderbird.

 

[pbaldy]

I use eM Client on my home laptops. Seems to work well for me, I'm not sure what features you're looking for. My needs are pretty basic. I have the free version on one laptop, the paid on another, which lets me have several accounts. The free is limited to one or two if memory serves.

 

[NauticalGent]

Someone i know uses thunderbird and he seems happy with it

 

[NauticalGent]

It seems your plight was addressed over at DevHut...

 

[Gasman]

I have to ask. You can get a slightly older office version, legally for a small amount. I bought 2019 only to open later dbs than 2007, which I was perfectly happy with, for my usage.
So get that and DO NOT accept the new outlook.
What MS are thinking with that version, I have no idea.

Could you not even uninstall your Office version, and reinstall?

 

[Isaac]

I was thinking along the lines of Gasman ... I wouldn't use the newest Office versions at all, I go online and for $20 I get Office 2007 or Office 2010. They're all basically the same since 2007 until 365 came and messed up everything royally.
I love it because the cheapest stuff that nobody else wants is the #1 thing I want - works out great for the wallet

 

[Gasman]

Here is something that just dropped in my inbox from Groupon?
Spooky or what?

Microsoft Office 2019 or 2021 Lifetime Activation Key for Windows or Mac

Unlock a world of productivity with access to essential Microsoft Office apps designed for seamless collaboration and creativity

www.groupon.co.uk

 

[plog]

Been using Thunderbird at home for 15+ years. No bad things to say about it.

 

[The_Doc_Man]

Yep, I got a copy of Ofc2021 Pro LTSC for about $30. Had all sorts of stuff in it, even including Team Meeting which does me no good because now that I'm retired I don't HAVE a team. Plus, my new beast doesn't have a camera or a microphone. Oh, well... not a problem for me.

 

[cheekybuddha]

Been using Thunderbird at home for 15+ years. No bad things to say about it.

Been using TB since 2004, back when Firefox was still called Phoenix - can't believe it's 20 years!

My main client runs 11 email accounts.

I remember being so glad not to have to futz with .pst/.ost files any more.

 

[amorosik]

I currently use Thunderbird, and it has been my local email and news client for over 10 years
Outlook is definitely more powerful and has better features
But where possible, I always prefer open source programs

 

[The_Doc_Man]

I currently use Thunderbird, and it has been my local email and news client for over 10 years
Outlook is definitely more powerful and has better features
But where possible, I always prefer open source programs

Can't say I blame you. When I retired (eight years ago), TB had been approved for use on U.S. Navy computers that were legally required to be consistent with standards of "For Official Use Only" - also known as "Sensitive but Unclassified." I use Outlook (old version) myself but TB would definitely be a reasonable alternative choice.

 

[Pat Hartman]

Could you not even uninstall your Office version, and reinstall?

This is a new computer so the Office install is new. I haven't installed Office on any computer in years and the updates happen automatically. There are NO options except 32 vs 64. No way to decide which products to install or whether to run them from the web or not. AND, once installed, Access simply disappears. It isn't listed anywhere. The option to add it to the menu is grayed out. Eventually, I found the uninstall option so I uninstalled Access. That enabled the install option and so I finally made Access visible Then I could add Access to the menu. Win 11 sucks. Who makes these stupid "improvements" and who tests them? It appears that the children are truly running the asylum The way Win 10 allowed you to group things and use different size icons was useful. I guess too useful so that had to go. The totally missing Access is how MS now views us. Be aware. We are no longer a life form in their eyes. I don't care what they say when prompted. They took Access out of their marketing material and now it is out of new installs. Really bad omen. No new user is ever going to find Access again. They don't know they have it because the marketing materials ignore it and the install doesn't install it.

 

[Pat Hartman]

Thanks Dan for the list on DevHut. I'll try a couple to see which I like.

 

[CJ_London]

See also the reviews/comparisons on the link in post#2

 

[Pat Hartman]

Thanks Chris. I'm looking at the suggestions today.

 

[Pat Hartman]

The New Outlook is truly stupid. For some reason today when I opened it, it needed me to log in again. It decided it needed two-step authentication for a new Outlook.com account so it asked for a different email address so it could send me a code to enter. I gave it one. Then I tried to get back to my inbox so I could read the email with the code. Not happening. The input dialog was on top of Outlook and it was guarding the gate and there was no way I could get to read my email to obtain the code they had just sent me. Duh!!!!!!!!! Who tests these things? Luckily for me, my old PC is still operational and right next to the new one so I opened my mail on that computer. What a joke this application is.

 

[Gasman]

Well for me, Outlook 2019 from 2007 was a hell of a change.
Had to change the way I ran my macroes and I cannot see any benefit in the new way of having to do things.

Xero accounting application is like that. they seem to change things for changes sake, and in some cases makes using the program more long winded. :-(