On May 16, 2023, Microsoft made an important announcement regarding the retirement of a feature in Outlook for the Web. In this blog post, we will explore the details of this announcement and explain how it will impact users. Additionally, we will provide step-by-step instructions on how to proceed after the retirement of this feature, ensuring a smooth transition for Outlook users.
Previewer Edit and Reply Retirement Announcement
Microsoft has made a recent announcement regarding the retirement of the “Previewer Edit and Reply” feature in Outlook for the Web, which will be effective from late June 2023. Unfortunately, Microsoft has not provided any specific explanation for the decision to deprecate this feature. Here are my thoughts on the reasons behind it. Firstly, the feature might not have been widely utilized by users. Secondly, there could have been compatibility issues with the Outlook Desktop environment, as Microsoft is transitioning towards One Outlook.
Or, you can watch the video for the details.
Understanding the "Previewer Edit and Reply" Feature
If you’re unfamiliar with the feature, let’s briefly explain how it works. With the “Previewer Edit and Reply” feature, users could conveniently preview Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, or Excel documents directly within Outlook. Moreover, they could edit and reply to these documents without the need for downloading or saving them locally or on OneDrive.
The Transition Steps
With the retirement of the “Previewer Edit and Reply” feature, users must be prepared for a different workflow. Follow these steps to ensure a seamless transition:
- Edit your document in Outlook for the web or the desktop app or save it to OneDrive.
- Open your document and make the necessary changes.
- Save the document to your preferred location.
- Reattach the revised file as needed.
Additional Resources
In case you are unaware, here is more Microsoft Feature Retiring News in 2023.
