For years, I’ve relied on Google Workspace for my email, calendars, and contacts, while also helping numerous clients in Springfield, MA, and nearby towns like Wilbraham who prefer Microsoft Outlook. And let me tell you, making Gmail and Outlook cooperate has never been easy.
With Outlook Classic, email worked fine, but syncing calendars and contacts was a constant uphill battle. The only option was Google’s old Connector app (Workspace Sync), which caused more headaches than solutions: reinstallations after every major update, sync errors that wouldn’t clear, and endless progress bars that left you guessing if data would ever appear.
When Microsoft released New Outlook in 2022, it looked like a fresh start. However, initially, it only supported Microsoft accounts, leaving Gmail and Workspace users excluded. A year later, in April 2023, Microsoft added Gmail support to the preview version of New Outlook. Still, it was unstable. I tested it, but it wasn’t reliable enough to recommend to clients or to use myself on a day-to-day basis.
That’s why, even as a Workspace user, I didn’t make the switch until about a month ago. And here’s why:
New Outlook Got a Big Update This Summer
Over the summer of 2025, Microsoft quietly rolled out improvements that finally stabilized Gmail and Google Workspace integration. Since then, New Outlook has become a tool I can not only use personally, but also confidently recommend to my clients.
Now, when you add a Gmail or Google Workspace account, New Outlook handles everything natively:
- 📧 Emails and folders – Gmail labels appear as Outlook folders.
- 📅 Calendars – Events sync immediately with no duplicates or delays.
- 👥 Contacts – Google contacts now show up in Outlook without extra apps.
And the best part? It all works without the Connector app—no more patching together third-party tools or spending hours troubleshooting.
Why This Matters for Clients
For everyday Gmail users and business owners in Springfield, MA, and Wilbraham, this update means:
- Fewer Issues: Your email, contacts, and calendars finally sync the way they should.
- Less Downtime: No more reinstalling broken connectors after an Outlook update.
- Smoother for Businesses: Google Workspace teams can now confidently adopt Outlook without fear of sync problems.
- Same Experience Everywhere: Whether you’re on Windows, Outlook.com, or the Outlook mobile app, your Gmail data stays consistent.
A Client’s Story: From Frustration to Relief
Just a few weeks ago, I helped a Springfield business owner who had nearly given up on Outlook. Their company calendar was constantly out of sync, staff were missing appointments, and they had wasted countless hours trying to make the Connector work.
After Microsoft’s recent improvements, we set them up on New Outlook. Within minutes, their Gmail emails, calendars, and contacts were entirely in sync. For the first time, they felt confident that Outlook could support their business without daily maintenance.
My Honest Take as a Workspace User
I held off on New Outlook for a long time. I tested it, but I couldn’t rely on it, so I stuck with Outlook Classic and advised my clients to do the same. But after switching about a month ago, I can honestly say this version feels different. The syncing problems that plagued Gmail users for years are finally gone, and it has already saved me and my clients a lot of frustration.
What’s Next
New Outlook is still a work in progress. Microsoft continues to add features, and not all Classic Outlook features have been ported over yet. But with Gmail and Workspace support now stable, the foundation is finally solid.
If you tried New Outlook in the past and walked away disappointed, this summer’s improvements make it worth revisiting.
Need Help Deciding?
Whether you’re a small business owner in Springfield, MA, working from home in Wilbraham, or just a Gmail user tired of broken syncs, I can help you decide if now is the right time to switch. And if you’d rather wait, I’ll continue supporting Outlook Classic until you’re ready.
✅ Bottom line: I didn’t start using New Outlook myself until about a month ago because it wasn’t stable enough. But with Microsoft’s updates this summer, Gmail and Google Workspace users finally have the Outlook experience we’ve been waiting for reliable, simple, and connector-free.
