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Disable Outlook automatic migration

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Works with Windows 10 and 11Works with Windows Vista, XP, 7, 8, 10, 11, and Windows Server 2008 or newer.
  • Single actionThis page belongs to a script, containing basic changes to achieve a task.
  • Windows onlyThis script improves your privacy on Windows
  • Impact: MediumSystem Functionality Loss Risk: Moderate
    This action improves privacy with minimal impact when you run the recommended script.
    This action improves privacy with some impact when you run the recommended script.
  • Batch (batchfile)These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.
  • Fully reversible

    You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using this website.

    The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.

Overview​

This script disables automatic migration to the new Outlook for Windows. It prevents your user data from being transferred to Microsoft Cloud without explicit consent.

The migration happens from older clients such as:

  • Classic Outlook (end of support: 2029 1)
  • Mail app (Windows Mail and Calendar apps, end of support: 2024 2)

The new Outlook app is either preinstalled or installed via updates on modern Windows 3.

By default, the automatic migration setting is uncontrolled, and users can manage it themselves 3. After running this script, automatic migration is turned off and users cannot change this setting 3 4.

The new Outlook app automatically transfers your personal data including email, calendar, and contact data to Microsoft's cloud 5. This script improves privacy by preventing this transfer.

This script enhances user control by giving you the freedom to decide when or whether to make this transition rather than having it forced upon you during an update. By preventing automatic migration, you maintain decision-making power over your email workflow and data storage location. This allows you to research implications and prepare properly before potentially moving your emails, calendar events, and contacts to Microsoft's cloud servers.

The script may also improve system performance by preventing the additional resource usage that the new Outlook client requires.

It increases security by limiting potential exposure of your data to cloud-based vulnerabilities, as keeping data local rather than in the cloud reduces the potential attack surface for your personal information. However, it may reduce security by encouraging use of unsupported software which may have known vulnerabilities not patched.

Caution

This should be considered a temporary measure if you need to continue using the older versions without support.

Technical Details​

The migration process runs only once 4. Users who manually switch to the new Outlook won't be able to revert to classic Outlook afterward 4.

This script configures the following registry values:

  • HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\Options\General!DoNewOutlookAutoMigration to stop the migration flow 4.
  • HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\office\16.0\outlook\preferences!NewOutlookMigrationUserSetting to prevent users from selecting automatic migration 6 7.

After running this script, users will still be able to toggle back to classic Outlook for Windows anytime if they manually switch to the new version 4.

Use with Caution

This script is only recommended if you understand its implications.

Some non-critical or features may no longer function correctly after running this script.

This script can be fully reversed to restore changes if something goes wrong.

Sources
PrivacyLearn.com maintains strict sourcing standards for accuracy, integrity and up-to-date content. Our content relies on authoritative sources including vendor documentation, industry standards, and verified research. Learn more about our verification process and quality standards in our editorial standards page.

Apply Now​

Choose one of three ways to apply:

Download script​

Download and run the script directly
  • No app needed
  • Offline usage
  • Easy-to-apply
  • Free
  • Open-source
Help

How to apply or restore "Disable Outlook automatic migration" using script​

  • ≈ 2 min to complete
  • Tools: Web Browser
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 5 instructions
  1. 1

    Download

    Download the script file by clicking on the   Apply protection  button above.
    Use   Undo protection button above to restore changes.
  2. 2

    Keep the file

    If warned by your browser, keep the file.
  3. 3

    Open

    Open the downloaded file.
  4. 4

    Exit

    Once it's done, press any key to exit the window.
  5. 5

    Restart

    Restart your computer for all changes to take effect.

Apply with privacy.sexy​

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  • Includes safety checks
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Help

How to apply or restore "Disable Outlook automatic migration" using privacy.sexy​

  • ≈ 3 min to complete
  • Tools: privacy.sexy
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 4 instructions
privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily with more advanced options.
  1. 1

    Open or download

    Open or download the desktop application
  2. 2

    Choose script

    1. Search for the script name: Disable Outlook automatic migration
    2. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
  3. 3

    Run

    Click on ▶️ Run button at the bottom of the page.

    This button only appears on desktop version (recommended). On browser, use 💾 Save button.

Run commands​

Copy and run commands manually Requires technical knowledge
Apply changes
:: Set the registry value: "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\Options\General!DoNewOutlookAutoMigration"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\Options\General'; $data =  '0'; reg add 'HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\Options\General' /v 'DoNewOutlookAutoMigration' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Set the registry value: "HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\office\16.0\outlook\preferences!NewOutlookMigrationUserSetting"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\office\16.0\outlook\preferences'; $data =  '0'; reg add 'HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\office\16.0\outlook\preferences' /v 'NewOutlookMigrationUserSetting' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
Help

How to apply or restore "Disable Outlook automatic migration" using commands​

  • ≈ 2 min to complete
  • Tools: Command Prompt
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • ≈ 3 instructions
 View step-by-step guide with screenshots
  1. 1

    Open Command Prompt

    Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
  2. 2

    Copy code

    Copy the code:
    Copy Apply Code Copy Revert Code
  3. 3

    Paste & run

    Paste the commands into Command Prompt and press Enter to run.

    Some changes require a system restart to take effect

Similar Guides​

Wider Goal​

Guides below includes this guide to achieve a wider goal.See other more general settings that includes this one as one of its actions.
These plans combine multiple privacy settings, including this one, for stronger protection.
This category includes scripts to remove or disable Microsoft's new Outlook application, and prevent automatic migration or installation. The new Outlook...

— Remove Outlook

Same Goal​

Other guides in Remove Outlook See settings that are in the same category as this guide.
Using other actions in the same category may help you achieve your goal better.
Remove "Outlook for Windows" app
Disable Outlook automatic installation
Disable Outlook automatic redirection
Remove "Try the new Outlook" toggle
Disable Outlook preview prompts

About the Creators​

These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:

  • Avatar of undergroundwires. The creator of PrivacyLearn and privacy.sexy. Black and white portrait showing a person wearing a polka dot tie and suit jacket, reflecting the professional expertise behind the privacy protection tools.
    • Certified security professional
    • 7+ years experience securing banks
    • Open-source developer since 2005
    • EU advisor, Public Speaker, Moderator
    • Hundreds across the globe
    • Testers, reviewers, developers
    • Companies, military agencies
    • Community since 2017
About Us

Reviewed By​

This guide has undergone comprehensive auditing and peer review:

  • Expert review by undergroundwires​

    • Verified technical accuracy and editorial standards
    • Assessed system impact and user privacy risks
    • Audited and verified using automated security tests

  • Public review by large community​

    • Privacy enthusiasts and professionals peer-reviewed
    • Millions of end-users tested across different environments
    • Audited and verified using third-party security software

History​

We continually monitor our guides, their impact and other potential privacy options. We update our guides when new information becomes available. On every update, we publicly store who made the change, what has been changed, why the change was made and when the change was made.

Review Change History Our Change Process