How to Enable Automatic Translation in Outlook on Windows 11

Automatic translation in Outlook on Windows 11 converts foreign-language emails into your chosen language when you open them. It works in the new Outlook for Windows with Microsoft 365, Outlook.com, and Gmail accounts, so you don’t have to paste text into a web translator.

You can have Outlook translate every message, ask you first each time, or leave messages in their original language. Setup takes a few clicks in the mail settings.

Turn on or off automatic translation of other languages in Outlook

This setting controls what Outlook does with messages written in a language you don’t normally read. You change it in the main Settings window of the app. It’s a per-app preference, so you can switch it back at any time.

One thing to check before you start: this page exists in the new Outlook for Windows. The classic desktop version of Outlook has a different layout and won’t show these options in the same place. If your window looks like classic Outlook, look for the New Outlook toggle in the top right corner and turn it on.

1. open the new Outlook app on Windows 11.
2. If you’re not sure where to find it, type Outlook into the Start menu ⊞ search box 🔍. This is the fastest way to reach the app. Click the result to open it, and wait for your inbox to load.

1. With the app open, click the Settings button. It’s the gear icon in the top right corner. A Settings window opens over your inbox.

1. In the left sidebar of the Settings ⚙️ window, select the Mail tab. The options for that area appear on the right.
2. In the list on the right, choose Message handling.

If you can’t find Message handling, check that you’re in Settings › Mail and not under another tab such as Calendar or General. If it’s still missing, you’re probably in classic Outlook (see the note above).

1. On the Message handling page, scroll down to the Translate section.
2. Choose one of the three options:

• Always translate – Always translate messages received in other languages. Use this if you regularly get mail in languages you can't read and want it translated without any prompt.
• Ask me before translating – Shows a message to confirm whether to translate messages received in other languages. This is a good middle ground if you read some foreign-language mail in the original and only want translation some of the time.
• Never translate – Never translate messages received in other languages. Pick this to turn the feature off.

After you select an option, the page should show it as the active choice. Outlook applies the setting without a restart. To undo it later, come back to this page and pick a different option.

Next, set the target language, which is the language Outlook translates messages into. By default, the application relies on the default language set in Windows. If translations come out in a language you didn't expect, check that setting first.

That completes the setup. Open a message in a foreign language to confirm it behaves the way you chose.

Conclusion:

• The new Outlook for Windows brings modern design and supports various email accounts, including Exchange-backed Microsoft 365 work or school, Outlook.com, Hotmail, and Gmail.
• Users can access features like email signatures, out-of-office automatic replies, email sorting, subscription management, email forwarding, and more.
• With the ability to translate messages in Outlook automatically, users can improve their understanding of business communication or read messages in their preferred language.
• Following the steps outlined, users can easily configure the automatic translation feature according to their preferences.