Your Ultimate Guide to Navigating the New Outlook 365: Tips & Tricks to Help You Manage the Change

Are you ready for the new Outlook 365? Whether you’ve already started using it or are still getting to grips with the changes, one thing’s for sure: the new interface and features are designed to make your email experience easier, faster, and more productive.

But, with any update, there’s a bit of a learning curve. Don’t worry, though – we’re here to help you navigate the changes and make the most of Outlook 365 without all the technical jargon. Plus, if you run into any problems with junk email, security concerns, or need some guidance, William Peers Digital has got your back with managed email services.

What’s New in Outlook 365?

The new Outlook 365 brings plenty of improvements, but they also mean a few things have changed. Here’s what you can expect:

• Cleaner, Simpler Interface: Everything is streamlined for quicker navigation. The clutter is gone, and you can access important features like your calendar and tasks more easily.

• Focused Inbox: This is a big one! The Focused Inbox helps filter out the noise, so you can stay focused on the most important messages while less crucial emails are sent to the Other tab.

• Better Integration with Microsoft 365: You’ll notice more seamless integration with other Microsoft tools like Teams, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. All your documents, meetings, and tasks are now more accessible right from Outlook.

• AI-Powered Features: Some new features, powered by AI, will help you sort and prioritize emails, reducing time spent managing your inbox.

While these changes are fantastic for efficiency, they can also feel a little overwhelming if you’re not familiar with the new setup. So, let’s walk through a few tips to make the transition easier!

Top Tips & Tricks for Adjusting to the New Outlook 365

1. Organize Your Inbox with the Focused Inbox

The Focused Inbox feature is a huge time-saver. It automatically sorts your emails into Focused and Other categories. The Focused tab keeps important messages, while the Other tab gathers everything else (newsletters, promotions, etc.).

💡 Tip: If you want to move an email to the Focused inbox, simply right-click on the message and select Move to Focused. Outlook will learn your preferences over time and improve the sorting.

2. Customize Your Folder Pane

In the new Outlook 365, the folder pane on the left side of the screen is more compact and customizable. This means you can show or hide certain folders based on what you need, and make sure you’re only seeing what’s important.

💡 Tip: Right-click any folder and choose Add to Favorites to keep your most-used folders at the top. You can also reorder folders for easy access.

3. Set Up Focused Time with Calendar Sync

Now that your calendar is more integrated with Outlook, scheduling is easier. You can now set up Focused Time, which helps you reserve uninterrupted blocks of time in your calendar to get important tasks done.

💡 Tip: You can set up Focused Time by creating an event in your calendar and labeling it as Focused. Outlook will automatically avoid scheduling other meetings during that time.

4. Manage Your Junk Mail and Security Settings

With Outlook 365, you have better control over your email security. Make sure your spam and junk filters are turned on to avoid unwanted emails. If a legitimate email gets sent to junk by mistake, you can easily mark it as Not Junk to avoid future issues.

💡 Tip: Regularly check your junk folder, as spam filters sometimes get overzealous. To prevent phishing attacks, always hover over links before clicking to make sure they’re safe.

5. Take Advantage of Smart Compose

If you’re tired of writing repetitive emails, Outlook 365’s Smart Compose feature can help! It suggests full sentence completions based on your writing, saving you time.

💡 Tip: Start typing your message, and if Outlook thinks it knows what you’re trying to say, you’ll see a suggestion. Just press Tab to complete the sentence.

Still Struggling with Outlook 365 or want to move to it but dont know how?

If you’re finding the transition to the new Outlook 365 a bit challenging, you’re not alone. Some small business owners face issues with junk mail, security, and spam filtering that can take time to figure out. But don’t worry—William Peers Digital is here to help!

We offer managed email services that ensure your emails are secure, organized, and running smoothly. From setting up your Outlook 365 properly to providing ongoing support for any issues, we’ve got you covered. Plus, we’ll help you tackle complex tasks like email backups, security configuration, and junk mail filtering.

Ready to Make the Most of Outlook 365?

If you’re still having trouble with Outlook 365 or just want expert support to help you get the most out of it, don’t hesitate to get in touch with William Peers Digital.

Let us handle the tech stuff, so you can focus on what really matters: growing your business.

📞 Contact us today to get started with a managed email solution that works for you!