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How to Unsend an Email in Outlook | [2023]

In today's fast-paced digital world, sending emails has become an integral part of our personal and professional lives. However, we've all experienced that sinking feeling when we realize we've sent an email prematurely or to the wrong recipient. Thankfully, Microsoft Outlook offers a lifeline in the form of an "unsend" feature. In this article, we will guide you through the process of retracting an email in Outlook, allowing you to rectify your mistakes and maintain your professional image.


1. Enable the "Undo Send" feature

Before you can unsend an email in Outlook, you must first ensure that the "Undo Send" feature is enabled. Follow these steps to activate it:

  • Open Outlook and navigate to the "File" tab.

  • Click on "Options" and select "Mail" from the left-hand menu.

  • Scroll down to the "Send messages" section.

  • Check the box next to "Undo Send" and set the desired time limit for email recall (5, 10, 15, or 30 seconds).

2. Sending an email with the option to unsend

Now that you have enabled the "Undo Send" feature, let's dive into the process of sending an email with the ability to retract it:

  • Compose your email as you normally would, address it to the intended recipient(s), and add the subject and content.

  • Double-check all the details to ensure accuracy and professionalism.

  • Once you are ready to send, click the "Send" button as usual.

3. Unsending an email in Outlook:

If you realize you've made an error or wish to retract the email you just sent, follow these steps to unsend it:

  • Look for the yellow "Undo" bar that appears at the top of the Outlook window immediately after sending the email. This bar will display the message "We didn't send your message."

  • Click on the "Undo" button within the time frame you set in the "Undo Send" feature. The email will be recalled and returned to your Drafts folder for further modifications.

  • Edit the email as needed to correct any mistakes or make necessary changes.

  • Finally, click "Send" once again to resend the amended version of the email.

4. Additional Considerations:

While the "Undo Send" feature in Outlook can save you from minor mishaps, there are a few important points to bear in mind:

  • The time window to unsend an email is limited. Make sure to act swiftly to recall your message before the allocated time elapses.

  • The feature only works if both you and the recipient are using Outlook or Microsoft Exchange email accounts.

  • If the recipient has already opened or read the email before you unsend it, the recall attempt may not be successful. The recipient may still have a copy of the original message.

  • Always exercise caution and double-check your emails before sending them, as prevention is the best way to avoid the need for email recall.

How to unsend an email in Outlook 365

If you've ever hit the "Send" button and immediately regretted it, you'll be relieved to know that Outlook 365 offers an "Undo Send" feature that allows you to unsend an email. Here's how you can take advantage of this helpful feature:

  • Open Outlook 365 and go to the "Sent Items" folder.

  • Look for the email you want to unsend and double-click to open it.

  • Once the email is open, navigate to the "Message" tab at the top of the screen.

  • In the "Move" group, click on the "Actions" dropdown menu.

  • From the dropdown menu, select "Recall This Message."

  • A new window will appear with two options: "Delete unread copies of this message" or "Delete unread copies and replace with a new message." Choose the appropriate option based on your needs.

  • If you select the second option, you can compose a revised message to replace the original one.

  • Click "OK" to confirm and initiate the recall process.

It's important to note that the success of the recall depends on various factors, such as the recipient's email server settings and whether they have read the email already. Outlook will notify you of the recall's success or failure.

By following these steps, you can potentially save yourself from embarrassing or incorrect email situations and rectify them promptly using the "Undo Send" feature in Outlook 365.


How to unsend an email in outlook mac

Unsending an email in Outlook for Mac can be a lifesaver if you realize you've made a mistake or sent a message prematurely. While Outlook for Mac doesn't have a built-in "Undo Send" feature like its Windows counterpart, there is still a way to recall an email. Here's how:

  • Open Outlook for Mac and navigate to the "Sent Items" folder.

  • Locate the email you want to unsend and double-click to open it.

  • Go to the "Message" tab in the top menu bar.

  • Click on the "Actions" dropdown menu and select "Recall This Message."

  • A dialog box will appear with two options: "Delete unread copies of this message" or "Delete unread copies and replace with a new message." Choose the appropriate option.

  • Click "OK" to initiate the recall process.

It's important to note that the success of the recall depends on several factors, including the recipient's email server settings and whether they have already read the email. Outlook will notify you of the recall's success or failure.

Although Outlook for Mac lacks a dedicated "Undo Send" feature, the recall option provides a similar function to unsend emails and rectify mistakes. By following these steps, you can potentially salvage an email before it reaches the recipient's inbox, mitigating any unintended consequences.


Conclusion:

Sending an email prematurely or to the wrong recipient can lead to moments of embarrassment or even potential professional setbacks. Fortunately, Microsoft Outlook's "Undo Send" feature provides a simple yet effective solution to help you unsend emails and rectify your mistakes.

By enabling the "Undo Send" feature, you gain the power to retract emails within a specified time frame, allowing you to amend any errors or oversights. Remember to act quickly and make the necessary


Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Unsend an email in Office 365?

Yes, Office 365 provides the option to unsend an email through the "Recall Email" feature. You can attempt to retrieve or replace a sent email under certain conditions.

Can you Unsend an email already sent in Outlook?

Yes, Outlook provides the option to unsend an email that has already been sent through the "Recall Email" feature, allowing you to attempt to retrieve or replace it under certain conditions.

Is there a way to Unsend an email in Outlook?

Yes, Outlook has a feature called "Recall Email" that allows you to attempt to retrieve or replace a sent email under certain conditions.

How do I Unsend an email in Outlook 365?

To unsend an email in Outlook 365, open the "Sent Items" folder, double-click the email you want to unsend, go to the "Message" tab, and click "Recall This Message."

How do I Unsend an email from the 365 admin?

To unsend an email as an Office 365 admin, you can use the Exchange Admin Center. Locate the user's mailbox, open the "Mail Flow" section, and choose "Delivery Reports" to recall the email if possible.

How do I recall an email in Outlook 365 Chrome?

To recall an email in Outlook 365 using Chrome, open the "Sent Items" folder, double-click the email, go to the "Message" tab, and click "Recall This Message."

How to unsend an email in Outlook on iPhone

To unsend an email in Outlook on iPhone, open the "Sent" folder, tap on the email, then tap the three-dot menu icon and select "Recall Message" to attempt to retrieve it.

How to unsend an email in the Outlook browser

To unsend an email in the Outlook browser, go to the "Sent Items" folder, open the email you want to unsend, click the "Actions" menu, and choose "Recall This Message."



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