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You write an email late at night or before a deadline but want it to arrive at a better time. Outlook on the web has a schedule option, but in the classic desktop app it is hidden, so people end up setting reminders to send the email by hand.
In classic Outlook, scheduling is called Delay Delivery. You tick `Do not deliver before`, pick a date and time, and send. The email waits in the `Outbox` until that time.
You can reach the same setting from two places while writing an email: the message options launcher, or the `Options` tab.
What you need
- Classic Outlook for Windows
- An email account set up in Outlook, such as Microsoft 365
Step by step
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01
Know where scheduling lives
In Outlook on the web you can schedule a message from the schedule option next to Send. In the classic Outlook desktop app there is no such option, so you use Delay Delivery instead.
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02
Open Delay Delivery from the message options
While writing the email, open the message options with the small arrow (dialog launcher) in the corner of the options group on the ribbon. Under
Delivery options, tickDo not deliver beforeand pick the date and time you want the email sent. Close the window. -
03
Send the email
Select
Send. The email is not sent yet. It moves to theOutboxfolder and waits there until the time you set. -
04
Or use the Options tab
The second way in: open the
Optionstab in the message window and selectDelay Delivery. The same properties window opens. TickDo not deliver before, set the time and close it. TheDelay Deliverybutton stays highlighted so you can see it is on, then send the email.
Tips and common problems
- Look in the
Outboxfolder to confirm the email is waiting. You can open it there to change the time or cancel it. - When
Delay Deliveryis on, its button stays highlighted on theOptionstab. Check it before sending so you know the email is scheduled. - With a POP or IMAP account, classic Outlook has to be open at the send time. Microsoft 365 (Exchange) accounts send delayed messages from the server.
Questions
How do I schedule an email in the Outlook desktop app?
Open the Options tab while writing the email and select Delay Delivery. Tick Do not deliver before, choose a date and time, close the window and select Send.
Where does a scheduled email go in Outlook?
It waits in the Outbox folder until the time you set, then Outlook sends it.
Does Outlook need to stay open to send a delayed email?
For a Microsoft 365 or Exchange account, no. The server holds and sends the message. For POP or IMAP accounts, Outlook must be open at the delivery time.
