Consider other options available after Microsoft removed the Mail and Calendar App.
Consider other options available after Microsoft removed the Mail and Calendar App.
I never used the MS garbage.
Thunderbird has been around since the 90's. Rainlendar isn't perfect, but it gets the job done.
Thunderbird — Free Your Inbox.
Thunderbird is a free email app that’s simple to install and tweak – packed with solid tools!
www.thunderbird.net
Rainlendar
www.rainlendar.net
Thank you for the recommendation, I'll give Thunderbird a shot.
I tried Thunderbird but found it too complicated. I wish for the ease of the native email app, the same privacy as Thunderbird, and a rainforest background.
I switched from Outlook to Thunderbird and then to Google's services. Thunderbird was good but I needed better integration with platform apps, which it didn’t offer well. Now using Google apps, Android contacts, calendar and reminders makes my life much simpler. I enjoy interacting with my phone (and by extension, Google).
I still feel this isn’t the straightforward solution you were hoping for. Most practical email systems need some complexity to meet business requirements. What you’re seeking is a simple home user email or calendar system, which Mail & Calendar delivers.
Exactly! The home user email address, the apps for it seem to be gone. It looks like Microsoft decided to stop updating it, which is frustrating. In reality, they could have left it alone and let it work properly. Email technology hasn’t changed much over time, but now they’re forcing a replacement, which really bothers me!
Squirrel email? Could be a bit old-fashioned. It's been a while since I've seen someone use a non-corporate method. Mostly I rely on G-mail for personal use and Outlook for work. I don't really like the latest Outlook version, but it's not bad. I understand their decisions, though I often feel it misses the visual cues that help you find what you need quickly.
You might be able to find an open-source mail client with modern compatibility and a straightforward design.
I DID!
I didn't stop looking after posting here, and eventually I found WINO MAIL
https://github.com/bkaankose/Wino-Mail
The goal behind this project is essentially what I was aiming for—it’s intended as a replacement for Mail and Calendar, offering a native Windows 11 interface along with all the features I needed.
For anyone who sees this message later, Wino Mail is exactly what you should consider; it's open source and available on the Microsoft Store too.
Edit: just discovered the three account limit issue, well... I’m shifting focus to the new Outlook for now. It’s slower and more complicated with 99 buttons I don’t need, but if Microsoft insists, I’ll use it despite the hassle. This keeps the cycle of distrust going on.