Delay sending e-mails in Outook

Delay Sending in Outlook 365 Desktop App (Windows & Mac)

This method lets you automatically delay all messages or schedule a single email.

Delay a single email (most common use)

  1. Open Outlook and click New Email
  2. Write your message as usual
  3. In the message window, click the Options tab
  4. Select Delay Delivery
  5. Under Delivery options, check: ✅ Do not deliver before
  6. Choose the date and time you want the email sent
  7. Click Close
  8. Click Send

Important:
The email will stay in your Outbox until the scheduled time.
Your computer must be on and Outlook must be open for it to send.

Delay all outgoing emails (rule-based delay)

  1. Go to File → Manage Rules & Alerts
  2. Click New Rule
  3. Select Apply rule on messages I send
  4. Click Next (don’t select any conditions)
  5. Click Yes to apply to all messages
  6. In “What do you want to do with the message?” check: ✅ Defer delivery by a number of minutes
  7. Click the underlined number of minutes
  8. Enter a delay (e.g., 5 or 10 minutes)
  9. Click OK
  10. Click Next
  11. Add any exceptions if desired (optional)
  12. Click Finish

Now every email is delayed automatically, giving you a grace period to cancel.

 

Schedule Email in Outlook on the Web (Outlook 365 in a browser)

This is the best option if you don’t want to keep your computer on.

  1. Go to https://outlook.office.com
  2. Click New mail
  3. Compose your message
  4. Click the arrow next to Send
  5. Select Schedule send
  6. Choose a date and time (or pick a suggested option)
  7. Click Send

Outlook will send the message automatically—even if you’re offline.

 

 

 

Print Article