A couple of months ago, we highlighted that we're but a few months away from Microsoft ramping up their push towards switching everyone from Outlook "Classic" to the new version they have been increasingly insistently nudging everyone towards for a few months now. While this isn't exactly changing, The full blown "You will be switched unless you actively opt out" point has been pushed back.
The original plan was for this opt out to come into effect next month. This has now been delayed until March 2027. However, there has been no indication that the final plug being pulled on the old version has moved from the existing 2029 deadline, so although this change means you're less likely to forcibly moved over to the new version imminently with options to opt out for now should you wish, it doesn't change the date that it the new version becomes the only option.
Microsoft's stated reason for the delay is "We’re seeing strong and accelerating adoption of new Outlook as organizations progress on timelines that match their readiness. At the same time, we continue to invest heavily in expanding capabilities and addressing feedback from customers who want to go further with new Outlook. To ensure organizations have the time they need to prepare—and to fully realize the value of ongoing innovation—we’re extending the opt-out timeline and providing 12 months of lead time as we continue delivering key features and improvements."
Reading between the lines, that looks like "This isn't ready for certain users yet". That said, as we pointed out a couple of months ago, some of us here have been running on the new version for a while, and it's a lot better than it was when Microsoft first started nudging people to switch. We would go as far as to say it's probably fine for the majority of users at this point - certainly for anyone that never delves into the advanced features of the old Outlook.On that basis, our advice remains that unless there's a known reason you can't switch yet (eg 3rd party plugins), it's at least worth giving it another look now. If there's genuinely features you need that just aren't there, then by all means switch back for now. Otherwise, you may as well stick with it and get a head start on those that will be forced to use it imminently!