Do you want Outlook for Windows to receive non-MSA data?

5 min read

Do you want Outlook for Windows to receive non-MSA data?. During the recent public announcement of Microsoft’s plans for the New Outlook for Windows app, one of the features that seems to have slipped under the radar despite having been available in preview for quite some time has been its ability to sync user mail data regardless of the fact that the user isn’t using a Microsoft Account, such as Gmail or Yahoo, but is using a Microsoft Account.

A Neowin forum user by the name of d3rf3l, noticed this and started a thread about it in the Neowin forum. German outlet Heise was the first to discover an issue regarding the New Outlook while the system was being tested by the German outlet. 

According to the screenshot below, Microsoft’s cloud servers may synchronize users’ IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) data within their email accounts, and users have the choice to accept or decline the sync, as shown in the screenshot.

If you select the “More information” option on Microsoft’s official website, you will find a comprehensive explanation of the problem in a support article related to the issue.

Syncing non-Microsoft accounts (including their emails, contacts, and events) to Microsoft Cloud is one of the latest features that will enhance the Microsoft 365 experience in New Outlook for Windows, Outlook.com, Outlook for iOS, Outlook for Android, and new Outlook for Mac. 

In Outlook for iOS and Outlook for Android, as well as the latest version of Outlook for Mac, you will be able to access Gmail, Yahoo, iCloud, and IMAP accounts. Similarly, the new Outlook for Windows also has support for Gmail, Yahoo, and Hotmail accounts, and Outlook.com also supports Gmail accounts.”

What happens when I sync my account to the Microsoft Cloud?

The process of synching your account to the Microsoft Cloud will enable you to have a copy of your email, calendar, and contacts synchronized between your email provider and Microsoft’s data centers. 

You will be able to use the new features of the Outlook client with your non-Microsoft account, just like how you do with your Microsoft account. By storing your mailbox data in the Microsoft Cloud, you will be able to use both Outlook for Windows, Outlook for iOS, Outlook for Android, Outlook.com, and Outlook for Mac with your non-Microsoft account.”

Therefore, in accordance with Microsoft’s own statement, the modification is intended to provide a better user experience by enabling users to benefit from the new application even if they do not have an MSA account. There appears to be no problem with this, though it is understandable that not all users may desire something like this. The good news is that Microsoft’s attempts at forcing its way into our lives currently give us the choice to refuse them.

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