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 |