How to unsend email in outlook

Have you ever hit “send” on an email and immediately wished you could take it back? Perhaps you spotted an embarrassing typo, or worse, sent the email to the wrong recipient. In the fast-paced world of digital communication, these moments can feel like the end of the world, but fortunately, there’s a solution. If you’ve been wondering how to unsend an email in Outlook, you’re not alone–many people face this dilemma regularly.

To unsend an email in Outlook, you can use the “Recall” feature if you’re using an Exchange account and both you and the recipient are on the same Exchange server. Simply go to your “Sent Items,” open the email you wish to recall, and click on “Actions” in the ribbon. Select “Recall This Message” and choose whether you want to delete unread copies or replace the message with a new one.

While recalling an email can be a lifesaver, it’s essential to note a few critical details. The recall feature is mainly available for users on Microsoft Exchange or Microsoft 365 within the same organization. For it to work, the email must not have been opened by the recipient. Additionally, the success of recalling an email can be influenced by how the email is managed on the recipient’s side; if they have rules set up, or if they are using a different email service, the recall may not function as intended.

To initiate a recall, go to your “Sent Items” folder in Outlook, find the email you want to unsend, and double-click to open it. Once opened, click on the “File” tab, then select “Info.” Look for “Resend or Recall” and click on “Recall This Message.” You’ll see options to either delete unread copies of the message or replace it with a new one. After you make your selection, click “OK.” If you choose to replace the message, just compose your new email and send it as usual.

Keep in mind that even if you successfully recall the email, the original message may still remain in the recipient’s inbox until they open your new message or the recall action completes. It’s always a good practice to double-check recipients and content before hitting send, but when mistakes happen, this feature can help mitigate the damage.