As you may know, Microsoft has been working on a new Outlook client (Getting started with the new Outlook for Windows – Microsoft Support) to allow streamlining new features with Outlook on the Web.
One of the most requested (and missing) feature for this new client is (/was) the ability to work offline, the same way than with the ‘classic’ Outlook client.
Well, good news as the new Outlook client is now offering offline work; yes, you read me correctly offline capability is now available with the new Outlook client.
There is still a small catch anyway; it does not apply to whole mailbox but to specific folders and the amount of cached data:
- Default folders – aka inbox, sent, draft, archive or deleted folders; in addition of contact and calendar folders
- Default and Favorites folders – aka the above ones plus folders you have marked as favorite
- Default, Favorites and recently used – aka all the above plus the most recent folders you have accessed when online
The amount of data you can cache (and use offline) is between 7 and 180 days (7, 30, 90 or 180).
If you try to access a folder which has not been made available offline, you will get a “Your request can’t be completed right now” error message
This catch makes quite a bit of sense as you usually don’t need to have your complete mailbox available offline.
NOTE there is no control available yet for administrators to manage configuration of this offline settings