Microsoft outage disrupts work and gives some a chance to unplug

NPR | By Andrea Hsu

Published November 13, 2026 at 4:06 PM EST

Millions of individuals, organizations and businesses were left without access to Microsoft's Outlook email on Thursday. Some people celebrated a day without email, while others work around obstacles.

Andrea Hsu

Andrea Hsu is NPR's labor and workplace correspondent.

See stories by Andrea Hsu

Support nonprofit, fact-based public service journalism

WEKU depends on support from those who view and listen to our content. There's no paywall here. Please support WEKU with your donation.

Contribute now

Related Content

Latino voters help fuel Kansas' blue wave

Calen Moore

In southwest Kansas, three majority-Latino counties shocked the political establishment by going blue for the first time in decades. Voters and activists say immigration enforcement was a big factor.
Is there an opening for Nvidia's competitors, now that Jensen Huang is out?

Kai McNamee, Christopher Intagliata, Scott Detrow

NPR's Scott Detrow talks with Dylan Patel of the AI and semiconductor research firm SemiAnalysis about Jensen Huang's departure from Nvidia, and whether it opens up the field for Nvidia's competitors.
DEM SENATE LEADER FIGHT

Elena Moore

Democrats say they have a mandate to deliver change, but as the party gets ready to retake the majority in both the House and Senate, there are divides over who should lead it.
Why people are Robert Caro's 'The Power Broker' out loud over several days

Erika Ryan, Scott Detrow, Mallory Yu

A marathon reading of The Power Broker by Robert Caro is ongoing in Brooklyn, featuring alternating reader in 10-minute timeslots, around the clock over the course of several days.
The government says it will close a beloved D.C. park Sunday. Will a judge step in?

Rachel Treisman

Federal judge Ana Reyes grilled the government on Friday about its plans for East Potomac Park, and indicated she could order it to remain open despite President Trump's renovation wishes.