How to Enable Smart Suggestions in Outlook for Windows 11

The new Outlook for Windows brings a modern look to your email. It supports Microsoft 365, Outlook.com, Hotmail, and Gmail accounts. The app includes many tools like email signatures, out-of-office automatic replies, and language translations. One of the most helpful features is AI-powered writing, which helps you compose messages faster.

Why use Outlook smart suggestions?

Smart suggestions help you write emails faster. As you type, a machine learning model guesses what you want to say. This predictive text saves time and helps you avoid typos. It lets you focus on your message instead of your keyboard. By using these tools, you improve your email productivity significantly.

What happens when done?

Once you change these settings, your email compose window will begin to show automatic word predictions or reply buttons. These will appear while you write or when you receive a message, depending on which options you choose. You can then choose to accept or ignore these suggestions based on your needs.

How to change smart suggestion settings

Follow these steps to turn the feature on or off. Note: No admin privileges are required for these steps.

1. Open the new Outlook app on your computer. You can find it by clicking the Start button and searching for “Outlook.”

2. 

3. Click the Settings button. It looks like a gear icon at the top right of the window.

4. 

5. Click the Mail tab on the left side. Then, click Smart suggestions on the right.

6. 

7. Check the boxes for the features you want:
   • Show suggested replies: Outlook shows buttons for quick answers at the bottom of your emails.
   • Suggest words or phrases as I type: Outlook predicts your text as you write.

8. 

9. Save your changes and close the settings window.

Accepting vs. Ignoring Suggestions

When you see a greyed-out suggestion while typing, you have two choices. To accept the text, press the Tab key or the Right arrow key on your keyboard. If you do not like the suggestion, simply keep typing your own words. The AI will automatically clear the suggestion and learn from your input.

Troubleshooting Missing Features

If your smart suggestions disappear after an update, check your settings menu first. Sometimes, updates reset preferences. Ensure you are signed in with a supported account, as these features may not appear for all third-party email providers. If the issue persists, try restarting the app or checking for pending updates in the Microsoft Store.

Summary

The new Outlook app makes writing emails easier with AI-powered writing. By using predictive text and suggested replies, you can work faster and with fewer mistakes. You can easily manage these settings in the Mail menu to suit your personal writing style.