Microsoft outage disrupts work and gives some a chance to unplug

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.

Microsoft says it is seeing broad recovery and stability following a massive outage of its Outlook email system and other applications yesterday. The company says it was a technical issue not related to AI agents. The outage hit millions of Microsoft users in more than 70 countries. NPR workplace correspondent Andrea Hsu hit the phones to find out how people weathered the disruption.

ANDREA HSU, BYLINE: As president of the Global Healthy Living Foundation, Seth Ginsberg spends long days communicating with patients, doctors and government officials in the U.S., as well as Canada, Australia and Japan.

SETH GINSBERG: It does feel like a constant back and forth.

HSU: Some 200 emails a day. But starting midday yesterday, for 20 hours, he heard nothing. For someone who's dedicated his career to improving the quality of life for people with chronic illnesses, it was jarring.

GINSBERG: It was almost like an existential crisis because I went from feeling incredibly productive to wondering whether anyone needed me anymore.

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