This article is for people who use a screen reader program such as Windows Narrator, JAWS, or NVDA with Windows tools or features and Microsoft 365 products. This article is part of the Accessibility help & learning content set where you can find more accessibility information on our apps. For general help, visit Microsoft Support.
Use new Outlook with your keyboard and screen reader to migrate your settings and install your existing add-ins from classic Outlook for Windows. We have tested it with Narrator, JAWS, and NVDA, but it might work with other screen readers as long as they follow common accessibility standards and techniques.
Notes:
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New Microsoft 365 features are released gradually to Microsoft 365 subscribers, so your app might not have these features yet. To learn how you can get new features faster, join the Office Insider program.
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To learn more about screen readers, go to How screen readers work with Microsoft 365.
In this topic
Migrate settings and install add-ins during installation
As you start the new Outlook for Windows for the first time, you'll be asked during set up whether you want to migrate your settings and install your add-ins from classic Outlook for Windows, so your new experience feels familiar.
To migrate your old settings and install existing add-ins:
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Press the Tab key until you hear "Import settings," and then press Enter. Migrating settings and add-ins takes only a few moments.
Tips:
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You can also skip the migration during installation and do so later, following the steps described in the Migrate settings after installation section. To skip, press the Tab key until you hear "Skip," and then press Enter.
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If you skip this step during installation, note that you'll need to manually install the web add-in counterpart to any COM add-in that you use in classic Outlook for Windows in new Outlook for Windows.
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If you choose Import settings, your settings will also be applied to Outlook on the web. If you've never used Outlook for Windows, the default settings will be applied. For a list of settings that are imported, go to the List of settings imported section. Additionally, the web add-in counterparts to your existing COM add-ins in classic Outlook for Windows will be installed when you choose Import settings. For a list of add-ins that will be installed, see the List of add-ins installed from classic Outlook for Windows section.
Migrate settings after installation
You can also migrate the settings after the installation is complete. To do so:
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Press the Tab key or Shift+Tab until you hear "Settings," and then press Enter.
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Press the Tab key once. You hear: "Search Outlook settings." Press the Down arrow key until you hear "View all Outlook settings," and then press Enter. The Settings window opens with the Accounts > Email accounts tab opened.
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Press the Tab key until you hear "Manage," and then press Enter. The details for your email account are displayed on the tab.
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Press the Tab key until you hear "Get Started," and then press Enter.
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Press the Tab key until you hear "Import settings," and then press Enter.
List of settings imported
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Group by conversations
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Reading pane position
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Density
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Message list preview text
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Folder list expand/collapse state
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Message list width
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Sender picture in message list
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Attachment previews
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Quick actions on the message list (coming soon)
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Dark mode
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Notification settings
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Signatures
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Auto-replies
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Focused/other
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Default font (coming soon)
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Mark as read settings (coming soon)
Calendar
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Calendar view (week, work week, month) (coming soon)
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Work week days setting
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Week start day (coming soon)
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Meeting hours
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Start/end meetings early
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Every meeting online
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Date format (coming soon)
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Temperature format
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Show week numbers (coming soon)
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Time scale (coming soon)
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Reminder settings (coming soon)
List of add-ins installed from classic Outlook for Windows
Important: We're working on rolling out this feature. Periodically check this page for updates on the feature's availability.
When you select the Import Settings option during setup, the web add-in counterparts to your existing COM add-ins in classic Outlook for Windows are installed in the new client. The following table lists the applicable COM add-ins and their web add-in counterparts. By selecting Import Settings, you also consent to the privacy policy, terms of use, and permissions of the respective add-ins. To learn more about the permissions of each add-in, select its link from the "Web add-in to be installed" column.
To check the COM add-ins you currently have installed in classic Outlook for Windows:
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In Outlook, press the Alt key, then press the left arrow key until you hear "File". Press Enter.
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Press the down arrow key until you hear "Options". Then, press Enter.
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Press the down arrow key until you hear "Add-ins".
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Press Tab until you hear "Enter add-ins table". Press Tab to hear the COM add-ins installed in your Outlook client.
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COM add-in |
Web add-in to be installed |
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Adobe Acrobat |
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Blue Jeans Outlook Add-in |
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Cisco Webex Meetings |
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Citrix Files for Outlook |
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Evernote |
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harmon.ie |
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Jira |
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Mimecast for Outlook |
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Nitro Pro |
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OnePlaceMail for Outlook |
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RingCentral Meetings Outlook Plugin |
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Zoom Outlook Plugin |
For guidance on how to use and manage the installed web add-ins, see Use add-ins in Outlook.
Note: Your existing web add-ins installed in classic Outlook for Windows remain installed when you switch to new Outlook for Windows.
See also
Keyboard shortcuts for Outlook
Basic tasks using a screen reader with email in Outlook
Basic tasks using a screen reader with the calendar in Outlook
Set up your device to work with accessibility in Microsoft 365
Use a screen reader to explore and navigate Outlook Mail
Use a screen reader to explore and navigate Outlook Calendar
Technical support for customers with disabilities
Microsoft wants to provide the best possible experience for all our customers. If you have a disability or questions related to accessibility, please contact the Microsoft Disability Answer Desk for technical assistance. The Disability Answer Desk support team is trained in using many popular assistive technologies and can offer assistance in English, Spanish, French, and American Sign Language. Please go to the Microsoft Disability Answer Desk site to find out the contact details for your region.
If you are a government, commercial, or enterprise user, please contact the enterprise Disability Answer Desk.
