💡 Our Technical Review in summary
Summary
- Microsoft is introducing a redesigned People Hub for Outlook on the Web, featuring a modern multi-column interface and enhanced search functionality.
- The update focuses on performance, scalability, and better contact management by automatically linking duplicate entries and enriching contacts with organizational profile data.
- This update is tracked under Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 537282 and replaces older contact management solutions that are being phased out.
Impact
- User Experience: Outlook Web users will transition to a refreshed layout. Key improvements include faster search results and a unified view of contact information.
- Mandatory Migration: All users will be automatically migrated to the “New Contacts” experience. The option to toggle back to the classic contact view will be removed.
- Administrative Overhead: No backend configuration is required as the feature is enabled by default. However, admins should be prepared for user inquiries regarding the interface change.
- Timeline: General Availability (Worldwide) rollout begins in late March 2026 and is expected to reach completion by the end of March 2026.
Action Required
- User Education: Notify users of the upcoming UI changes in Outlook Web to minimize help desk tickets. Encourage them to explore the multi-column layout and improved search features.
- Documentation Update: Update internal IT knowledge base articles or training manuals that reference the Outlook Web contact interface, specifically noting that the “New Contacts” toggle will no longer be available.
- Review Resources: Refer to the official Microsoft documentation “Add, find, edit, or delete a contact in Outlook” to understand the specific workflow changes for end-users.
- Monitor Updates: Keep an eye on the Message Center (MC1199768) for any further changes to the rollout timeline or additional technical documentation provided by Microsoft.
Microsoft Official Update
Service: N/A
Category: planForChange
Severity: normal
Updated February 23, 2026: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.
[Introduction]
We’re introducing the new and improved People Hub in Outlook Web, designed to deliver a modern, multi-column contacts experience with fast search and a streamlined interface. We’re investing in fast, relevant search and modern contact management capabilities that deliver a high-quality experience for everyone.
This update provides a unified view of each person, automatically links duplicate entries, and enriches contacts with organizational profile information where available. These enhancements aim to improve reliability and scalability for organizations of all sizes, while phasing out older solutions that no longer meet performance expectations.
This message is associated with Roadmap ID 537282.
[When this will happen:]
- Targeted Release (Worldwide): We began rolling out on mid-January 2026 and completed in mid-February 2026.
- General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out on late March 2026 (previously late February) and expect to complete by end of March 2026 (previously mid-March).
[How this affects your organization:]
Who is affected: All Outlook Web users and admins managing contact solutions in Microsoft 365.
What will happen:
- Users will see a refreshed People Hub with a modern, multi-column layout and improved search capabilities.
- Duplicate contacts will be automatically linked, and organizational profile data will enrich contact details where available.
- All users will be migrated to the “New Contacts” experience automatically. The toggle to switch off “New Contacts” will no longer be available.
- No admin action is required; the feature will be enabled by default.
[What you can do to prepare:]
- Admins can start training users on the new Contacts experience. Learn more: Add, find, edit, or delete a contact in Outlook.
- Before rollout, we will update this post with updated documentation.
[Compliance considerations:]
No compliance considerations identified; review as appropriate for your organization.
