How to Delay Sending Email in Outlook | A Complete Comprehensive Guide
Outlook is more than just an inbox—it’s your personal productivity assistant. Whether you’re managing team communications, following up with leads, or planning your week ahead, timing matters. In this article, you’ll discover how to delay sending email in Outlook, unlocking new levels of control and professionalism in your email strategy. Let’s dive into how this simple, powerful feature can streamline your day.
Why Delay Sending Emails in Outlook Matters
Delaying emails isn’t just a tech trick—it’s a strategic advantage. Imagine sending emails exactly when your recipients are most likely to read them. Or giving yourself a buffer in case you spot a typo after hitting “Send.” Email scheduling adds confidence, precision, and peace of mind to every message you send.
With Outlook’s built-in tools, you can set delivery times that work best for you and your audience. This is especially helpful across different time zones or when managing high-stakes communication.
Understanding Outlook’s Built-in Email Scheduling Features
Microsoft Outlook includes a native option to schedule or delay email delivery, known as Deferred Delivery. This functionality is available on most Outlook platforms: desktop, Outlook Web App (OWA), and Outlook 365. The best part? No additional plugins or tools are required.
When you delay an email, Outlook holds the message in your Outbox until the specified time. It then automatically sends it—no reminders, no manual steps.
How to Delay Sending an Email in Outlook (Desktop App)
The desktop version of Outlook (Windows and Mac) offers the most flexible scheduling tools.
Step-by-step guide for Windows:
- Open Outlook and click New Email.
- Compose your message.
- Click Options > Delay Delivery.
- Under “Delivery options,” check Do not deliver before.
- Choose the date and time.
- Click Close, then Send.
Your email will stay in the Outbox until it’s time to go.
For Mac users:
- After composing your message, click the dropdown beside the Send button.
- Choose Send Later.
- Pick your date and time.
- Click Send Later.
This scheduling feature helps Mac users stay synced with teams in different time zones.
How to Schedule an Email in Outlook Web App (OWA)
Using Outlook online (Outlook.com or Outlook Web App)? Here’s how to delay an email:
- Click New Message.
- Write your email.
- Click the dropdown next to Send.
- Select Send later.
- Choose the date and time.
- Click Send.
It’s that simple—no extra setup needed. Your message will be delivered at just the right moment.
How to Delay Sending Emails in Outlook Mobile App
The Outlook mobile app currently offers limited support for email scheduling. While you can access drafts and some delayed messages created on desktop, you can’t set new delays directly from the app.
Workaround options:
- Use the Draft feature to write emails in advance.
- Schedule emails using the desktop or web versions, then monitor them from mobile.
Although limited, Microsoft is actively improving mobile support for this feature.
Creating Rules to Automatically Delay All Emails
Sometimes, you might want a built-in delay on every email—just in case you spot a last-minute error. Outlook lets you set rules that hold every message for a few minutes.
To set this up:
- Go to File > Manage Rules & Alerts.
- Click New Rule.
- Under “Start from a blank rule,” select Apply rule on messages I send.
- Choose Next to apply to all messages.
- Select defer delivery by a number of minutes.
- Enter your delay time (e.g., 1 to 5 minutes).
- Click Finish.
This rule gives you a helpful grace period to catch any last-minute changes.
How to Edit or Cancel a Scheduled Email in Outlook
If you change your mind, no problem. You can always edit or cancel a delayed email—as long as it’s still in the Outbox.
To edit:
- Open the Outbox.
- Double-click the scheduled message.
- Make your changes.
- Click Send again.
To cancel:
- Simply delete the message from the Outbox.
Note: If Outlook is closed or not connected to the internet, the email will not be sent until it’s back online.
Troubleshooting Delayed Emails in Outlook
Sometimes, scheduled emails don’t send as planned. Here’s how to troubleshoot:
- Make sure Outlook is open and connected.
- Check if your computer or device was shut down during the scheduled time.
- Ensure you didn’t close the app before sending.
- Review your delivery time settings for accuracy.
If your email appears stuck in the Outbox, this is often the cause.
This issue can also tie into other Outlook functionalities. For example, the Outlook recall email feature not working may seem related, but it is actually a separate feature with its own limits. Similarly, checking the Outlook recall email read status might not reflect the true delivery timeline of delayed emails.
Best Practices for Email Scheduling in Outlook
Delaying emails should feel natural and empowering—not like a workaround. Use these tips to level up your scheduling game:
- Time your emails based on recipient activity (morning = higher open rates).
- Avoid sending emails on Friday afternoons or late at night.
- Schedule follow-ups during business hours.
- Always double-check attachments before sending.
- Use delay features to draft with confidence.
By combining email strategy with smart scheduling, you’ll boost professionalism and reduce email fatigue for everyone involved.
Smart Tools and Alternatives for Scheduling Emails
Outlook covers most basic and advanced scheduling needs, but if you need extra power or automation, consider tools like:
- Boomerang for Outlook
- Mailbutler
- SalesHandy
- Yesware
These tools offer tracking, follow-up reminders, recurring emails, and even analytics. But for most users, Outlook’s built-in features are more than enough.
Conclusion: Take Control of Your Email Timing
Outlook gives you everything you need to take command of your email delivery. Whether you want to polish your message, catch mistakes, or reach your audience at the perfect time, the delay sending email Outlook feature is your hidden advantage.
It’s not just about when you send—it’s about sending smarter. With just a few clicks, you can enhance clarity, impact, and confidence in every message.
Must read it if you want to know more about how to recall an email in outlook. Here you will get a complete comprehensive guide.
FAQs About Delay Sending Email in Outlook
How do I schedule an email to send later in Outlook?
To schedule an email in Outlook, create a new email, then click Options > Delay Delivery and set your desired date and time. On Mac and web versions, you’ll find a “Send Later” option.
Why didn’t my delayed email send in Outlook?
This can happen if Outlook is offline or closed at the scheduled time. Ensure Outlook stays open and connected to the internet until your message is sent.
Can I cancel or edit a delayed email in Outlook?
Yes! Go to the Outbox, open the email, make changes, and click Send. To cancel, just delete it from the Outbox.
Does Outlook mobile support scheduling emails?
Currently, the Outlook mobile app doesn’t support setting up new scheduled emails. However, it can view and track drafts and scheduled emails made on desktop or web.
Can I delay all outgoing emails automatically in Outlook?
Yes. Create a rule in Outlook to defer delivery of all sent messages by a set number of minutes. This adds a safety buffer for editing or canceling.
