Delay Sending of Messages in Outlook

Delay Sending of Messages in Outlook


You can delay the delivery of all messages by up to two hours by creating a rule. Outlook messages cannot be removed retroactively after they are sent so it is wise to put a delay in case a mistake is made.

New Rule

  1. In Mail, on the ribbon, select the File tab.
  2. Click Manage Rules & Alerts
  3. Click Outlook New Rule Icon New Rule.


Rules Wizard

  1.  Select a template box, under Start from a Blank Rule, click "Apply rule on messages I send", and then click Next.
  2.  Select condition(s) list, select the check boxes for any options that you want, and then click Next.
  3. If you do not select any check boxes, a confirmation dialog box appears. If you click Yes, the rule that you are creating is applied to all messages that you send.
  4. Select action(s) list, select the defer delivery by a number of minutes check box.
  5. Edit the rule description (click an underlined value) box, click the underlined phrase a number of and enter the number of minutes for which you want the messages to be held before it is sent. 
  6. Delivery can be delayed up to 120 minutes.
  7. Click OK, and then click Next.


Finish Rule Setup

  1. Select the check boxes for any exceptions that you want (none needed in this case)
  2. Click Next.
  3.  Specify a name for this rule box, type a name for the rule. (Use a descriptive name like "Delay Send by X Minutes"
  4. Make sure Turn on this rule is checked On
  5. Click Finish.


After clicking finish you will now have a delayed send to messages in your inbox.
Go ahead and test it out.

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