Microsoft finalizes Outlook 2013 for Windows RT

Summary: Microsoft has made the release-to-manufacturing (RTM) version of Outlook 2013 RT is available for free download from the Windows Store.

I didn't realize that the version of Outlook 2013 RT that came bundled with the RTM version of Windows 8.1 RT was still officially a preview release.

But it appears that was the case. Microsoft officials announced they've made the RTM version of Microsoft's Outlook mail client ported to Windows RT available in the Windows Store for download for free on October 31.

Outlook 2013 RT can connect to Exchange Server 2007, 2010 or 2013 as long as the Autodiscover service is configured, officials said.

In a post on the Office IT Pro blog, Microsoft officials noted there are some Exchange features not available in Outlook 2013 RT "because tablets have special needs for security and mobility." These include:

Online Archive or Personal Archive mailboxesApplying Messaging Records Management (MRM) retention policiesSite MailboxesData Loss Prevention (DLP) policy tips

Outlook 2013 RT also doesn't run macros, add-ins and/or custom programs developed by third parties. (The same is true of the rest of the Microsoft Office 2013 RT suite.) Outlook 2013 RT also doesn't allow users to set information-rights management on new e-mail messages, nor does it allow integration with Lync. outlook 2013 RT also cannot be configured using Group Policy.

The Office IT Pro post lists more limitations of the Outlook 2013 RT client.

Those interested in using Office 2013 RT for business purposes (and not just personal ones) should make sure their businesses have purchased commercial use rights or have a commercial license to Office 2013 suites that include Outlook, Microsoft officials said.

I blogged yesterday that I've heard talk that Microsoft ultimately may be planning to replace the Windows Mail and Calendar apps that are bundled with Windows 8.1 and Windows 8.1 RT. One of my tipsters claims that the idea is to make Outlook the sole mail client on Windows 8.X and its successors, going forward. I have no idea when this might happen.

Currently, Outlook RT is a desktop app. I wonder when/whether Microsoft plans to turn it into a Metro-Style/Windows Store one. No word on that so far....

Mary Jo has covered the tech industry for more than 25 years for a variety of publications and Web sites, and is a frequent guest on radio, TV and podcasts, speaking about all things Microsoft-related. She is the author of Microsoft 2.0: How Microsoft plans to stay relevant in the post-Gates era (John Wiley & Sons, 2008).