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Is there an equivalent of Undo Sent Gmail feature in Microsoft Outlook? I believe that once that feature is enabled in Gmail the sending of email is postponed by 5 to 30 seconds (depending on settings) so you have a chance to click on undo link.

Is there a similar feature available for Microsoft Outlook?

I am aware of Recall Email functionality but that is a completely different approach requiring that the recipient of the mail must be using an Exchange server e-mail.

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  • What version of Outlook are you running? Are you using an Exchange server?
    – N_Lindz
    Jan 19, 2011 at 16:51
  • 1
    Sounds like someone shouldn't be making fun of their boss in emails!!! :)
    – Jeff F.
    Jan 19, 2011 at 16:56
  • @N_Lindz it is 2007, and I am using the exchange server.
    – kristof
    Jan 19, 2011 at 17:06
  • 1
    @Jeff that is just a prevention measure ;)
    – kristof
    Jan 19, 2011 at 17:07
  • I have the same question. You can make a rule to delay the sending of an email but you CANT undo the sending of the email. It is still going to be sent....just delayed by a minute. This is not the equivalent "undo send" in Gmail. Am I correct on this? update: I just saw this howtogeek.com/howto/microsoft-office/…
    – chris
    Feb 14, 2011 at 20:40

3 Answers 3

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You can delay delivery of your emails by setting up a rule in Outlook just like in Gmail. In this way, you'll have a chance to stop the delivery. Read the following How-To Geek article:

Use Outlook Rules to Prevent "Oh No!" After Sending Emails

alt text

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  • thank you, that is exactly what I was looking for, I tested on Outlook 2007 and works as expected
    – kristof
    Jan 19, 2011 at 17:03
  • Is there a similar way to do this in Office 2011? I don't see the same options.
    – bergie3000
    Aug 6, 2013 at 19:48
  • There should be. Can't you see the rules menu? Aug 14, 2013 at 12:29
  • 1
    Not available for mac. Jan 12, 2016 at 3:41
  • The answer should include information from the link in case the page becomes unavailable. Link only answers are generally frowned upon.
    – Stevoisiak
    Jun 19, 2017 at 15:57
2

As Mehper C. Palavuzlar pointed out, you can delay email delivery in Outlook by creating a rule. The method of doing this will be slightly different depending on your version of Outlook.


Outlook 2016/2013/2010

  1. Go to to File -> Manage Rules & Alerts.

Rules & Alerts button

  1. Click New Rule.

New Rule button

  1. Under Start from a Blank Rule, select Apply rule on messages I send, then click Next.

Apply rule on message I send

  1. Do not select any special conditions, (i.e. leave the checkboxes blank), and click Next.

No conditions selected

  1. If no options were selected, confirm that Yes, the rule should be applied to all sent messages.

Apply rule to all sent messages

  1. In the list of actions, select defer delivery by a number of minutes.

Defer delivery checkbox

  1. In the Step 2: Edit the rule description box, click the underlined phrase a number of to set the delay length, select OK, then click Next.

Deferred delivery amount in minutes

  1. Follow the prompts to add any exceptions, then click Next.

  2. Type a name under Specify a name for this rule, select the Turn on this rule checkbox, then click Finish.

Finish creating rule


Outlook 2007/2003

  1. On the Tools menu, click Rules and Alerts.

Word 2007 - Tools -> Rules and Alerts

  1. Click New Rule.

New Rule button

  1. Under Start from a Blank Rule, select Check messages after sending, then click Next.

Check messages after sending

  1. Do not select any special conditions, (i.e. leave the checkboxes blank), and click Next.

No conditions selected

  1. If no options were selected, confirm that Yes, the rule should be applied to all sent messages.

Apply rule to all sent messages

  1. In the list of actions, select defer delivery by a number of minutes.

Defer delivery checkbox

  1. In the Step 2: Edit the rule description box, click the underlined phrase a number of to set the delay length, select OK, then click Next.

Deferred delivery amount in minutes

  1. Follow the prompts to add any exceptions, then click Next.

  2. Type a name under Specify a name for this rule, select the Turn on this rule checkbox, then click Finish.

Finish creating rule

Sources

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There is really no way to undo the sending of an email in Outlook.

If you think of it soon enough, unplug your ethernet cable or stop the Send & Receive command from completing...

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  • or hit that reset button ..
    – Sathyajith Bhat
    Jan 19, 2011 at 16:40
  • Don't PC's come with the reboot/reset button nowadays ? Yeah, I meant the abrupt shutdown route.. not really a great solution, hence the comment :) @studiohack
    – Sathyajith Bhat
    Jan 19, 2011 at 16:48
  • yeah, you had me confused for a moment, @Sathya, because I was thinking that you meant a reset button for Outlook, so I was like where?! :P
    – studiohack
    Jan 19, 2011 at 16:50
  • hehe, sorry 'about that @studiohack
    – Sathyajith Bhat
    Jan 19, 2011 at 16:55

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