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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →If you mean the old Windows Mail app, its sync settings can no longer restore email access. Microsoft ended support for Windows Mail, Calendar, and People on December 31, 2024; those apps can no longer send or receive email or calendar events on Windows 10 or Windows 11.
The current Microsoft replacement is new Outlook for Windows. The steps below separate the retired Mail app from the current Outlook sync controls, so you do not waste time changing a setting that cannot fix the underlying problem.
What happened to Mail app synchronization?
Windows Mail used to synchronize an account through this path:
Mail > Settings > Manage Accounts > select an account > Change mailbox sync settings
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Inside Sync options, you could turn email synchronization on or off:
- Open Settings in the lower-left corner of Mail.
- Select Manage Accounts.
- Select the email account.
- Choose Change mailbox sync settings.
- Under Sync options, set Email to Off or On.
- Select Done, then Save.
The old app also had a Sync button at the top of the message list for a manual refresh. These controls are historical now. If Mail displays “Your account settings are out of date”, changing the mailbox password, sync interval, or server settings is not a lasting fix: the application itself is no longer supported.
Use new Outlook to synchronize mail
New Outlook is available at no subscription cost for personal email accounts. It supports Microsoft work or school accounts, Outlook.com, Hotmail, Gmail, and other account types listed by Microsoft.
Manually check for new messages
- Open Outlook for Windows.
- Select Mail from the navigation bar.
- Open the View tab.
- Select Sync.
You can also press F9. Outlook displays a status message at the bottom of the message list while synchronization is running.
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Do not follow instructions that say to use Send / Receive > Send/Receive All Folders unless you are using classic Outlook. In classic Outlook, that path remains available under the Send / Receive tab, and F9 is also the manual synchronization shortcut. New Outlook replaced the old Send / Receive tab with View > Sync.
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Add or reconnect an account
In new Outlook, you can add an account in either of these ways:
- Select Add account at the bottom of the folder list.
- Open Settings, select Accounts, then choose Add account.
Enter the account address and complete the provider’s sign-in or multi-factor authentication steps. If the account was migrated from Windows Mail, Outlook may open with the first account listed in the old app. If automatic sign-in fails, enter the address and credentials manually.
Control offline mail storage
New Outlook keeps some mail, calendar events, contacts, and settings locally so you can work when the internet connection is unavailable. Offline actions include viewing, flagging, moving, deleting, and composing messages.
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Be aware that offline storage is not the same as a full backup. Messages that are not downloaded locally still require an internet connection, and deleting or moving a synchronized message may affect the mailbox on the server.
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Synchronize a shared mailbox
Shared mailboxes behave differently from ordinary accounts in new Outlook. When a shared mailbox Inbox is added through automapping, incoming messages are not automatically synchronized.
To refresh an automapped shared mailbox:
- Open the shared mailbox folder that needs updating.
- Select View > Sync in the Outlook ribbon.
To receive automatic synchronization and notifications, add the shared mailbox as an account instead of relying only on automapping. Your Microsoft 365 administrator may need to provide the required permissions or account details.
Switch from Windows Mail to new Outlook
If your account is supported, open Windows Mail or Calendar and look for the Try the new Outlook toggle in the upper-right corner. Selecting it downloads new Outlook and makes it the preferred email client.
The toggle may not appear when the account type is unsupported. In business environments, an administrator can also block the toggle from classic Outlook or through organizational policy.
During the move, Outlook may offer an Import Settings button or let you choose Skip. Importing settings can transfer supported preferences, but it does not guarantee that every local message, folder, contact, or calendar item will be moved.
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Export local Mail app data before switching
Some POP and IMAP accounts stored messages or calendar data locally in Windows Mail, Calendar, and People. Those items can be left behind when moving to Outlook. Microsoft’s export process saves local email as .eml files and calendar events as an .ics file.
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Only data already stored on the computer is exported. Messages that have not fully downloaded are not included; they remain available through the POP or IMAP account when accessed with a working mail client or webmail.
Start the Microsoft migration flow with PowerShell
- Open PowerShell. Standard user permissions are normally sufficient.
- Paste the following command and press Enter:
if (-not $env:USERPROFILE) {
$env:USERPROFILE = "C:Users$env:USERNAME"
}
if (-not $env:LOCALAPPDATA) {
$env:LOCALAPPDATA = "$env:USERPROFILEAppDataLocal"
}
$directoryPath = "$env:LOCALAPPDATAPackagesmicrosoft.windowscommunicationsapps_8wekyb3d8bbweLocalStateMigration"
$handoffFilePath = Join-Path -Path $directoryPath -ChildPath "handoff.txt"
New-Item -ItemType File -Path $handoffFilePath -Force | Out-Null
Start-Process "outlookmail:"- When the Mail and Calendar app opens, select Export Data on the Windows Mail and Calendar are no longer supported dialog.
- Save the exported messages and calendar file somewhere safe before removing the old app or its account data.
Import exported email into new Outlook
- Open new Outlook and select Settings.
- Choose General > Import.
- Select Start import.
- Choose the saved
.emlfiles. - Select the destination account and folder.
- Select Import.
Each exported folder must be imported individually. Keep the original export until you have checked message counts, attachments, and dates in Outlook.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Windows 10 users: the operating system is also out of support
Microsoft ended normal Windows 10 support on October 14, 2025. Windows 10 no longer receives standard Windows Update software updates, technical support, or security fixes. Installing another mail client may restore email access, but it does not make an unsupported operating system secure.
If the computer supports it, upgrading to Windows 11 is the safer long-term option. Otherwise, use a supported operating system and a supported mail client, and access your provider through webmail while planning the upgrade.
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Quick diagnosis
| Symptom | Likely explanation | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Mail shows “Your account settings are out of date” | The old Windows Mail service has been retired. | Move to new Outlook or use your provider’s webmail. |
| Change mailbox sync settings is dimmed | A documented limitation or account condition in the legacy app. | Do not expect this setting to restore synchronization; use Outlook. |
| View > Sync is missing | You may be using classic Outlook or a different Outlook interface. | In classic Outlook use Send / Receive > Send/Receive All Folders. In new Outlook use View > Sync. |
| A shared mailbox does not alert you to new mail | Automapped shared mailboxes do not automatically synchronize in new Outlook. | Use View > Sync, or add the shared mailbox as an account. |
| Old local messages are absent after migration | They were stored only on the device and were not imported. | Export local data from Mail first, then import the resulting .eml files. |
FAQ
Can I still turn on sync in the Windows Mail app?
The old Mail app may still show its former sync controls, but they cannot restore live email synchronization. Microsoft ended Mail and Calendar support on December 31, 2024.
How do I manually sync email in new Outlook for Windows?
Select Mail, open the View tab, and select Sync. You can also press F9.
Why does new Outlook not automatically sync my shared mailbox?
Automapped shared-mailbox folders do not automatically synchronize in new Outlook. Select View > Sync for a manual refresh, or add the shared mailbox as an account for automatic synchronization and notifications.
Is Windows Mail available on Windows 11?
The legacy app may remain installed on some systems, but its email and calendar services are retired. Microsoft directs users to new Outlook for Windows or Outlook.com.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsWill switching to Outlook delete my old Mail messages?
Local-only messages and calendar items may not transfer automatically. Export locally stored data first, especially for POP and IMAP accounts, then import the .eml and .ics files.
The Bottom Line
The old Windows Mail sync path—Settings > Manage Accounts > Change mailbox sync settings—is no longer a working solution because Microsoft retired the app’s mail service. For current Windows systems, use new Outlook and select Mail > View > Sync, or press F9. Export locally stored Mail data before switching, and treat Windows 10 as an unsupported operating system after October 14, 2025.
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