Microsoft has announced that it will no longer support the Windows Mail, Calendar, and People apps by the end of this year. The company has been gradually migrating users to its new Outlook for Windows app, which officially reached general availability in August.

The move marks a significant shift in Microsoft's strategy, as it looks to consolidate its productivity apps under the Outlook brand. Once the Mail, Calendar, and People apps reach end of support on December 31st, users who haven't made the switch will no longer be able to send and receive email using Windows Mail and Calendar.

The new Outlook for Windows app is designed to eventually replace the full desktop version of Outlook, with Microsoft planning to provide enterprise customers a 12-month notice before making the switch. Existing installs of classic Outlook will continue to be supported until at least 2029, but the writing is on the wall for users of the standalone Mail and Calendar apps.