Summary
- Microsoft has retired the link preview feature in new Outlook for Windows and Outlook on the web.
- Users can still insert or paste web links, but Outlook will no longer generate preview cards in email messages.
- Affected users are those on new Outlook for Windows and Outlook on the web, with Exchange Online as the back-end service.
- No admin configuration or remediation is required, but IT should inform users of the behavior change.
Microsoft has retired the link preview feature in the new Outlook for Windows and Outlook on the web. Pasted or inserted web links remain fully clickable as standard hyperlinks, but preview cards will no longer be generated automatically. General availability rollout is already complete across all environments. Administrators should inform internal users of this visual change to manage support queries effectively, though no technical configuration is needed.
Administrator impact: No direct administrator action is required.
End user impact: Users will no longer see automatic preview cards when inserting web links into emails, though the links remain fully functional.
Score rationale: This is a completed feature retirement with minor user interface changes and no administrative configuration required.
The link preview feature in new Outlook for Windows and Outlook on the web has been retired worldwide. Links will remain clickable but no longer show preview cards. No action is needed, but users should be informed about this change.
Message ID: MC1479516
Primary Service: Outlook
Admin Impact: Low
User Impact: Low
Release Start: 25 Sept 2026
Release End: 25 Sept 2026
Published: 26 Sept 2026
Expires: 30 Oct 2026
Last updated: 26 Sept 2026
Service: Exchange Online
Category: Stay Informed
Tags: User impact, Admin impact, Retirement
Rollout: September 2026
History
9/25/2026 Item Added to Message Center
Microsoft Message
The link preview feature has been retired in new Outlook for Windows and Outlook on the web. As a result, Outlook will no longer generate preview cards when users insert or paste web links into email messages. Links will continue to function as standard clickable hyperlinks.
Rollout schedule
General Availability (Worldwide, GCC, GCC High, DoD): This change has already been implemented.
Impact on your organization
Who is affected
Users of new Outlook for Windows and Outlook on the web.
Platforms and services
- Exchange Online.
- New Outlook for Windows
- Outlook on the web
What will happen
Outlook will no longer generate preview cards for web links that have been inserted or pasted into email messages. Links will continue to function as standard clickable hyperlinks.
Action required and recommendations
No action is required. We recommend that you inform users that link preview cards will no longer be automatically generated when composing email messages.