New Outlook Gets Last-Minute Spell Check to Save Face

Microsoft is upgrading its New Outlook email client to include a last-minute spelling check feature. This addition will allow users to scan messages for spelling mistakes before sending them, giving an extra safety net against embarrassing typos.

The rollout of the new feature is set to begin in October 2026, but it's likely that most people won't see it until mid-December at the earliest. The feature is not entirely new, as the classic desktop version of Outlook has had a similar option hidden away in its settings for many years.

New Outlook will leave the spelling check switched off by default, and users will need to turn it on in Settings. This is sensible, given that Microsoft Editor can sometimes flag correct words as mistakes, especially when writing in non-native languages or using technical terms.

The addition of this feature may give users who are still clinging to Outlook Classic another reason to consider switching to New Outlook. However, the larger question remains whether Microsoft can bring over enough of Classic's older functionality to make the switch feel like an upgrade rather than a compromise.