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    Microsoft Quietly Introduces Promotions in New Outlook for Windows

    The shift from the older Mail and Calendar app to the fresh Outlook app is currently in progress. Microsoft had declared the discontinuation of the traditional apps in support of the new Outlook app in June 2023. The new Outlook app was integrated into Insider builds a month later, and the company affirmed that the migration would be mandated in early 2024.

    At this point, not all users have completed the transition. Those who have been moved or directly installed the Outlook app may observe several disparities between the new Outlook app and the classic Mail app.

    One of the chief variances is the incorporation of promotions, converting the previously ad-free email experience into one with marketing messages. Users might now witness promotions in their inbox in the new Outlook app, a characteristic that was absent in the classic Mail app. The new Outlook app is grounded on the web-version of Outlook, which also encompasses promotions.

    Microsoft has designated promotions with an ad icon, but they are formatted to mimic regular emails, creating difficulties for some users in distinguishing between promotions and genuine emails.

    It’s worth highlighting that Microsoft is not the sole provider of complimentary email services that showcases such promotions; Google’s Gmail and numerous other free email services might similarly exhibit promotions to users.

    Presently, users have the choice to eliminate the promotions by hovering over them in the inbox and selecting the trashcan icon. Nonetheless, new promotions will eventually be integrated into the inbox once again.

    Additionally, there is a menu link that directs users to the “go ad-free” page on Microsoft’s website, where they are proposed an ad-free experience for $1.99 per month.

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    According to Proton, the creator of Proton Mail and a rival of Microsoft, the presence of promotions and trackers in the Outlook app signifies a fresh data collection service on Windows.

    How to Go Ad-Free by Shifting to Another Email Client

    Moving to another email client is an alternative to avoid the promotions. When third-party email clients are linked to the Outlook account, these promotions are not exhibited.

    One of the recommended options for Windows is the open-source Thunderbird client. Configuring the Outlook account in Thunderbird is a straightforward process, requiring users to input their Outlook email address and password in Thunderbird’s account creation dialog. This bestows an ad-free experience, with the setup taking less than a minute to finish.

    Image Source: HJBC / Shutterstock

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