Outlook for Windows preview adds support for Gmail accounts, with more to be added soon

The new Outlook for Windows app has been in a public preview for nearly a year, as Microsoft continues to add new features to the email client. Today, Microsoft announced that the preview version of Outlook for Windows is finally starting to add support for third-party email accounts.

In a blog post, Microsoft said that they are starting third-party support with the obvious choice: Google's Gmail. In addition, Outlook for Windows users can also get support for Google Calendar and Contacts in the app, which is something that the older Outlook client could not support. It added:

Soon, we will also add support for Yahoo and iCloud, as well as the ability to connect your mailbox through IMAP. It’s our intention that every person be able to access all of their emails – in one spot – on any Windows 10 or Windows 11 device.

Users can start adding their Gmail account just by choosing the Add account option at the bottom of the folder pane. They can also do the same thing by going to Accounts, then selecting Email accounts, followed by Settings to input their Gmail account. Presumable that will also be the case when the other third-party email accounts are supported.

Microsoft has added even more features to the Outlook for Windows preview version. They include:

• Rich editing, spelling, and auto complete suggestions powered by Microsoft Editor.
• The ability to send emails with polls to help make decisions quicker. (Work and School accounts only)
• Delay the delivery of an email for up to 10 seconds so you have a chance to “undo” sending – always an excellent feature if you have a typo or accidentally forgot someone on an email – or just want to make a few quick changes.
• The ability to join a Skype or Teams call directly from the new Outlook for Windows.
• The ability to pin important emails to the top of your inbox – helping ensure you don’t forget to follow up on those most important messages.
• The ability to add multiple shared calendars
• Supporting multiple time zones
• Adding daily weather in Calendar view
• The ability to track packages and check in to flights directly from your Inbox.
• Reminders about important messages that still need a reply.
• Search folders for quick and easy access to all of your emails.
• The ability to customize your email density and views.

Microsoft is also working on some upcoming features which include

• Numerous  visual updates and personalization options so you can create your preferred email experience.
• We’re giving our calendar surface a fresh new look with bolder colours and better readability. Whether you’re scanning your day or organizing your month, your calendar will look beautiful.
• Offline support so you can get things done and access content even when not connected to the Internet.
• Native ICS file type support.

If you have yet to try out the new version of Outlook for Windows, you can open the current version and simply toggle on  Try the new Outlook  in the upper right-hand corner of the app.

Outlook for Windows preview adds support for Gmail accounts, with more to be added soon