Have you ever needed to send an email at a specific time but knew you wouldn’t be at your computer to hit send? Outlook’s delayed send feature has got you covered. In a nutshell, you can compose your email whenever you like and schedule it to be sent at a later date and time. It’s like having your own personal email assistant!
Step by Step Tutorial on How to do an Outlook Delayed Send
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let’s talk about why you might want to use this feature. Maybe you’re working late and don’t want to disturb your colleagues until the morning, or perhaps you need to send a birthday wish exactly at midnight. Delayed send makes this all possible.
Step 1: Compose Your Email
Start by writing your email as you normally would.
Once your email is all typed up and ready to go, you might be itching to hit send. But hold on just a minute—we’ve got a schedule to set!
Step 2: Click on the ‘Options’ Tab
Find and click on the ‘Options’ tab in the ribbon at the top of the email window.
This is where the magic happens. Amongst other things, the ‘Options’ tab is where you can tell Outlook when to deliver your message.
Step 3: Select ‘Delay Delivery’
In the ‘More Options’ group, click on ‘Delay Delivery’.
This will open up a new window with several settings that you can tweak to get your email sent exactly when you want it.
Step 4: Set the Delivery Date and Time
Under ‘Delivery options’, check the box next to ‘Do not deliver before’ and choose your desired date and time.
Be careful with time zones! Make sure you’re scheduling according to the time zone your recipient is in, especially if they’re halfway across the world.
Step 5: Click ‘Close’ and Then ‘Send’
After setting the date and time, click ‘Close’ to exit the ‘Properties’ window, and then hit ‘Send’.
Don’t worry; hitting ‘Send’ won’t deliver your email immediately. It will just move it to the Outbox, where it will sit quietly until it’s time to head to its destination.
Once you’ve completed these steps, your email will wait patiently in the Outbox until the specified time. At that point, provided you’re connected to the internet, Outlook will automatically send your email on its merry way.
Tips for a Successful Outlook Delayed Send
- Double-check the delivery time and date before you hit send. It’s easy to miss a PM when you meant AM.
- If you’re sending an email to someone in a different time zone, remember to adjust the delivery time accordingly.
- Keep in mind that the email will only send if Outlook is open and connected to the internet at the scheduled time.
- Use this feature to space out your email replies and manage your workload.
- Always review your email one last time before scheduling it—you won’t be able to make edits once it’s in the Outbox.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my computer is turned off at the scheduled send time?
If your computer is off, Outlook won’t be able to send the email. It will be sent the next time you’re connected to the internet with Outlook open.
Can I cancel a delayed email after I’ve hit send?
Yes, you can. Simply go to your Outbox, open the email, and click ‘Cancel Delay Delivery’ in the ‘Options’ tab.
Do I need an internet connection for the email to send?
Absolutely, you’ll need to be connected to the internet for the email to send at the scheduled time.
Can I schedule a delayed send from the Outlook mobile app?
Currently, the delayed send feature is not available in the Outlook mobile app.
What happens if I close Outlook before the scheduled send time?
If you close Outlook, the email won’t send until you reopen Outlook and connect to the internet.
Summary
- Compose your email.
- Click on the ‘Options’ tab.
- Select ‘Delay Delivery’.
- Set delivery date and time.
- Click ‘Close’ and then ‘Send’.
Conclusion
Mastering the Outlook delayed send feature can significantly boost your productivity and ensure your emails are received at the optimal time. Whether you’re a night owl who doesn’t want to bother clients with late-night emails or someone who needs to manage their workload better, this feature is a godsend. Remember to double-check time zones and make sure Outlook is open and connected to the internet when the scheduled time arrives. With these tips and steps in mind, you’re well on your way to becoming a pro at scheduling emails. So the next time you’re planning a vacation or just want to be on top of your email game, give Outlook’s delayed send feature a try!
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.