The Look and Feel of Outlook 2010

I don't like the plainer looking interface of Outlook 2010. Don't expect me to rush to upgrade. I guess you've peaked with Office 2007. If I have to stare at the computer all day at work, I prefer something interesting and colorful.

I think Categories are REALLY important - and while there have been some improvements, specifically in the display of Categories in Email Lists - Categories become much more powerful when they can be organized into Trees - like Folders, except of course with Category Trees, you can organize Items into lots of "Folders" without duplicating. Outlook 2010 is really still pandering to very lightweight information organization. Other than that, the look and feel of the product is hugely improved.

We operate German-language Internet forum specifically for office 2010th Many of our users are dissatisfied with the color scheme of Office 2010, especially with the limited choice of colors. Also there is criticism that it is not possible to present the applications in different colors. Peter

It looks like microsoft word, try to make it unique.

I really disliked the gray To-Do Bar and Navigation Pane. I've used Outlook 2010 for a couple of weeks now, and it always depresses me. Whenever I go backt Outlook 2008 I feel refreshed because all the gray is gone. I think your goals are good, but the implementation is really poor. Gray is depressing. I really wish you would just offer the old Outlook 2008 color scheme as an option, or at least one color scheme where the background is white throughout. Did you test this with users? Do people really like it better than white background? I have a VERY hard time believing this.

Any plans to refresh the "Outlook Today" page? It is still with old color scheme and some nasty bugs from the age of 2003 still exists. For example, try Winter scheme on full screen; the "Customize Outlook Today ..." button is gone. Do not panic, just resize the window in something not full screen and it reappears. Overall, the "Outlook Today" page does not fit in new design (not even on Silver theme, looks uglier on Black or Blue themes).

EVERYTHING LOOK THE SAME,JUST THE BACK GROUND AND SOME OF COLOR HAVE BEEN CHANGE. I AM OK WITH 2007

I think it definitely improved! Especially the black-theme, woaw!

People need to realize that more isnt always better. You need a simpler view to be more productive in your everyday task of checking your email! Less fancy colors and highlights and but still and attractive look and feel!

It reminds me of Windows 95/98. We seem to be going backwards.

Why undo everything done only three years ago? Surely the UX designers designed 2007 the way they did for a reason, not just vanity?

I agree with Robert S. Please don't flatten the design and make it ugly. Does it really get easier to focus on a calendarpost just because you loose the nice dropshadow and rounded corners... don't think so.

Great, now, please get together with the ISA/TMG team and make Outlook 2010 work on a system without a default gateway set - like it did in 2007 and 2003.

I agree with most of the comments here...the new look is a step backwards, especially flattening the calendar. I remember how much better the look of the calendar was when I went from Outlook 2003 to 2007. But now 2010 looks like it's going back to the 2003 UI...not good!

Some great improvements like cleaner navigation panel! But... I can't figure why no more colors on tasks. Color is the fastest way to memorize and recognize categories. But I prefer 2010 than 2007 look and feel.

Going back to a "plain look" is a step backward. I like the current look of icons and boxes in Outlook 2007. Graphics should evolve to be more sophisticated and easier to see, not more plain. If you're going to bring back anything how about bringing back theme stationary for Outlook messages in the Sudent and Teacher version.