How to unsend outlook email

Have you ever hit “send” on an email only to realize seconds later that you included the wrong attachment or misspelled a crucial detail? If you’re like many professionals, that sinking feeling can be all too familiar. The moment can feel even more urgent if you’re emailing a client or a superior, where first impressions matter immensely. Fortunately, Outlook offers a way to address this common dilemma, allowing you to unsend emails that you may regret sending. Let’s dive into how you can use this feature effectively.

To unsend an Outlook email, first, go to your “Sent Items” folder, then open the email you want to recall. Click on the “Actions” menu, select “Recall This Message,” and choose one of the options: either deleting unread copies of the message or replacing it with a new message. However, keep in mind that this feature only works if the recipient hasn’t opened the email yet and both you and the recipient must be using Microsoft Exchange.

To elaborate further, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to unsend an Outlook email.

1. Open Outlook: Launch your Microsoft Outlook application on your computer.

2. Navigate to Sent Items: Look for the “Sent Items” folder on the left sidebar. This is where all your sent emails are stored.

3. Select the Email to Recall: Find and double-click on the email you wish to unsend. This action opens the email in a new window.

4. Access the Recall Feature: In the open email window, go to the menu bar and click on the “File” tab. From the drop-down menu, scroll down to “Info” and select “Resend or Recall.” In some versions, you might directly find the “Recall This Message” option under the “Actions” button in the Ribbon.

5. Choose Your Preference: You will be presented with two options: “Delete unread copies of this message” or “Delete unread copies and replace with a new message.” If you want to replace the email with a revised version, select the second option.

6. Confirm Action: Click “OK” to confirm your choice. If you chose to replace the email, make your changes and then send it again.

7. Understand Limitations: Remember, recalling an email only works under specific conditions: both you and the recipient must be using Microsoft Exchange, the email must be unread, and the recall might not work if the message has already been moved to another folder by the recipient.

While this feature can be a lifesaver, it’s also wise to double-check your emails before sending to minimize the need for recalls in the first place.