Microsoft is replacing the basic Windows Mail app with a web-based version of Outlook that is free to use but contains ads.
Buying by itself is possible, but Microsoft pushes the Microsoft 365 subscription heavily, making the standalone option harder to find. 🛒 Standalone Purchase Options buy microsoft outlook only
Install or reinstall classic Outlook on a Windows PC - Microsoft Support Microsoft is replacing the basic Windows Mail app
Buying only Outlook won't give you the ad-free interface or the extra security features found in Microsoft 365 Personal . making 2024 the safest "buy-only" bet.
Older standalone versions (like 2016 or 2019) are losing official support and security updates, making 2024 the safest "buy-only" bet.