Compare Outlook for Mac 2011 with Outlook 2010 for Windows

Office for Mac 2011 will reach end of support on October 10, 2017. To stay supported, you will need to upgrade. For more information, see these resources.

 

Applies to: Office for Mac 2011

Topic Last Modified: 2015-03-09

Outlook for Mac 2011 and Outlook 2010 for Windows differ in some key respects. The following table summarizes these differences.

Exchange features Implemented in Outlook for Mac 2011? Implemented in Outlook 2010 for Windows?

Communicates with the server that is running Microsoft Exchange Server

Yes

Outlook for Mac uses Exchange Web Services to communicate with the Exchange server.

Yes

Outlook uses a MAPI-based architecture to communicate with the Exchange server.

Connects to multiple Exchange accounts

Yes

Yes

Provides access to the Offline Address Book (OAB)

Yes

Yes

Creates or modifies server-side rules

Yes

Note

This feature was introduced in Office for Mac 2011 Service Pack 1 (SP1).

Yes

Manages Exchange server distribution lists

No

Yes

Synchronizes the personal distribution list with Outlook for Windows

No

Not applicable

Synchronizes categories with Outlook for Windows

Yes

The Master Category list is not synchronized.

Not applicable

Synchronizes S/MIME certificates and contact photos between Outlook 2010 for Windows and Outlook for Mac 2011

Yes

No

Supports retention and compliance functionality

No

Users cannot apply a retention policy to a message or a folder. However, IT-enforced retention policies on the Exchange server will apply.

Yes

Users can apply a retention policy to a message or a folder. IT can enforce policies on built-in folders (Inbox, sent items, and so on). Also, an online archive provides separate, online-only folders for long-term retention and archiving.

Available as a 32-bit application and a 64-bit application

No

Outlook for Mac 2011 is available as a 32-bit application only.

Yes

Enables voice mail previews

Yes

Microsoft speech technology converts voice mail messages into text that users receive in an e-mail or text message.

Yes

Plays voice mail messages received from Microsoft Exchange Server Unified Messaging

Yes

Yes

Mail features Implemented in Outlook for Mac 2011? Implemented in Outlook 2010 for Windows?

Enables Outlook forms, voting buttons, and receipt tracking

No

Yes

Enables RTF message formatting

Yes

You can use hyperlinks, strikethroughs, highlighting, and signatures in your messages. You can also copy and paste charts or tables from Word, PowerPoint, or Excel. Or, use the Office Photo Browser to quickly add your iPhoto or Photo Booth images to messages.

Yes

Enables conversation view (a threaded view of e-mail messages in an Outlook folder)

Yes

Yes

Supports Exchange, POP, and IMAP accounts in one Inbox

Yes

Yes

Supports improved search tools for contact search

Yes

Yes

Supports Ignore and Clean Up actions

No

Yes

The Ignore button on the ribbon moves an entire conversation and any future replies to that conversation directly to the Deleted Items folder.

The Clean Up button moves older, redundant messages in the conversation to the Deleted Items folder but keeps the most recent message.

Imports Outlook 2010 for Windows .pst files

Yes

Yes

Enables attachment previews in mail messages

Yes

Outlook for Mac 2011 uses Quick Look to view attachments. This enables you to view a multipage document or photo slide show without leaving Outlook. This feature is available when Outlook is used on a computer running Mac OS X v10.6 (Snow Leopard).

Yes

Displays photos of your contacts in your mails, contact lists, and calendar

Yes

Note

This is a new feature in Office for Mac 2011 Service Pack 1 (SP1).

Yes

Supports message recall

No

Yes

Provides the capability to expand distribution lists into individual members when you add a distribution list in the To field, or when you rest the mouse pointer on a distribution list

Yes

Note

This is a new feature in Office for Mac 2011 Service Pack 2 (SP2).

Yes

Provides the option to enable the calendar to display week numbers

Yes

Note

This is a new feature in Office for Mac 2011 Service Pack 2 (SP2).

Yes

Calendar features Implemented in Outlook for Mac 2011? Implemented in Outlook 2010 for Windows?

Establishes a federated trust relationship with an external partner to share availability (free/busy) information, calendar, or contacts

No

Yes

Overlay calendars

Yes

You can view multiple calendars in the overlay mode but not side-by-side.

Yes

You can use the new Group Schedule view in Outlook 2010 Calendar to see multiple calendars vertically, in addition to side-by-side, or save frequently used groups of calendars together from one location.

Calendar preview in meeting requests

Yes

When you view a meeting invitation, Outlook automatically displays your calendar alongside the body of the message. This lets you see whether the proposed time works with your schedule, without having to switch back and forth between your messages and calendar.

Yes

Miscellaneous features Implemented in Outlook for Mac 2011? Implemented in Outlook 2010 for Windows?

Synchronizes Calendar, Mail, Tasks, Notes, Categories, and Contacts with the Exchange server

Yes

Yes

Synchronizes folders, such as Drafts, Deleted Items, Sent Items, and Junk E-Mail, automatically for Gmail accounts.

Yes

Note

This is a new feature in Office for Mac 2011 Service Pack 2 (SP2).

Yes

Uses the ribbon interface that helps you quickly find the features and commands that you can use to complete tasks

Yes

Outlook menus continue to be part of the user interface. When you view a meeting invitation, Outlook automatically displays your calendar alongside the body of the message. This lets you see whether the proposed time works with your schedule, without having to switch back and forth between your messages and calendar.

Yes

The ribbon replaces the menus and toolbars of the Outlook main window.

Supports rich integration with Communicator

Yes

Hover over a name, see a person’s availability, and then easily start a conversation directly through instant messaging, voice call, or video.

Yes

Supports Information Rights Management policies

Yes

Yes

Displays contacts, tasks, and appointments at a glance even when Outlook is closed

Yes

Outlook for Mac 2011 includes the My Day application that allows users to display tasks and appointments at a glance.

No