Why This Helps
If you send an email by mistake, Outlook may give you a brief chance to stop it from going out or recall it if conditions are right.
Option 1 - Undo Send (New Outlook for Windows or Mac, Outlook on the Web)
1. Immediately after clicking Send, look for the Sending… bar with an Undo button.
2. Click Undo before the timer ends to cancel the message.
Adjust Undo Send Delay
1. Go to Settings (gear icon).
2. Select Mail > Compose and reply.
3. Adjust Undo send delay (up to 10 seconds).
Note: Classic Outlook for Windows does not support Undo Send.
Option 2 - Recall a Sent Message (Classic Outlook for Windows Only)
This option only works if: - The message was sent inside the same organization (Microsoft 365 or Exchange). - The recipient has not opened the message yet.
Steps
1. Open Outlook for Windows (Classic).
2. Go to Sent Items and double-click the message to open it fully.
3. Go to File > Info > Resend or Recall > Recall This Message
• If not visible: Message tab > Actions > Recall This Message.
4. Choose one:
• Delete unread copies of this message
• Delete unread copies and replace with a new message
5. (Optional) Select Tell me if recall succeeds or fails.
6. Click OK.
Option 3 - Add a Safety Delay for Future Emails (Classic Outlook Rule)
1. Go to File > Manage Rules & Alerts.
2. Click New Rule.
3. Select Apply rule on messages I send.
4. Click Next, then Next again to apply rule to all sent mail.
5. Choose Yes when asked to confirm.
6. Enable defer delivery by a number of minutes and set the delay.
7. Click Finish, then Apply.
Additional Notes
• Recall often fails if the message was already read or moved.
• Recipients outside your organization cannot have emails recalled.
• If Recall is missing, you are likely using the New Outlook for Windows, Outlook on Mac, or Outlook on the Web.