Microsoft has delayed the rollout of its redesigned People Hub in Outlook Web, pushing the launch back from February to late March.
The updated interface, designed to modernize contact management with a modern layout and improved search capabilities, was initially slated for release this month. Microsoft announced the change via the Microsoft 365 Admin Center, explaining that the full deployment will now begin at the end of March. This one-month delay provides organizations with additional time to prepare for the update.
The delay comes as Microsoft continues to migrate users to the new version of Outlook. The company began a mandatory transition from classic Outlook to the new Windows version for business users in January 2025, a process scheduled for completion in April. This shift to a modernized Outlook experience is part of a broader trend in the industry towards more integrated and AI-powered productivity suites.
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The revamped People Hub features a modern contact display utilizing a multi-column format. Microsoft describes this as an investment in “fast, relevant search functionality and modern contact management capabilities that deliver a high-quality experience for everyone.” Contacts are automatically organized into a consistent view, leveraging organizational information to help users quickly locate business contacts.
The new interface shares similarities with the reintroduction of the People app, which Microsoft originally launched in Windows 8 as a combined address book. A preview of that app is currently available as a lightweight web app for Windows 11 users.
No Going Back for Users
With the launch of the updated hub, the option to revert to the previous Contacts experience will be removed. Microsoft acknowledges that learning the new system will seize time and may disrupt existing workflows.
Administrators do not need to take any action, as the new app will be activated by default. Microsoft recommends training users on the new Contacts experience and updating any internal documentation that references the traditional interface. The company stated that the upcoming update should not cause any compliance issues.
