• by Ray Schultz , April 13, 2023

Microsoft is starting to roll out support for Gmail accounts in new editions of Outlook for Windows. 

“Now people can use their Gmail email, Google Calendar and Contacts within the new Outlook for Windows preview,” wrote Margie Clinton, group product manager for Outlook, in a blog post published last week. “This has been a popular ask and is made possible by our modern codebase in the new Outlook for Windows.”   

However, Clinton urged those who can’t add their Gmail account yet to “please be patient as we roll this out to people worldwide." She added: "Users will see a call out when the ability to add a Gmail account is available for them.”  

The initial release of the preview only supported first-party accounts from Microsoft. 

But Clinton 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.”

It is not yet clear what this enhancement will mean to email marketers. But it speaks to the ongoing integration of technologies, and could prove to be a boon for small businesses. 

Clinton continues that in addition to supporting third-party email accounts, “we have added features designed to make writing and managing emails easier and more fun.” 

According to Clinton, some of those include:  

• Rich editing, spelling, and auto complete suggestions powered by Microsoft Editor. 
• The ability to send emails with polls (available for work and school accounts only). 
• Delay the delivery of an email for up to 10 seconds, providing a chance to “undo” sending.
• 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.