Sending emails is an important part of our daily communication, but we’ve all experienced those moments when we hit the “send” button and immediately regret it.
Whether it’s a typo, an unintended recipient, or you’ve attached the wrong file, panic sets in. However, if you are an Outlook user, you are in luck!
Microsoft Outlook offers a feature allowing you to recall an email you wish you hadn’t sent. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to effectively recall an email in Outlook.
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Contents
- 1 Step-by-Step Guide to How to Recall an Email in Outlook
- 1.1 Step 1: Open Outlook and Navigate to “Sent Items”
- 1.2 Step 2: Open the Email You Want to Recall
- 1.3 Step 3: Go to the “Message” Tab
- 1.4 Step 4: Click on “Actions”
- 1.5 Step 5: Select “Recall This Message”
- 1.6 Step 6: Choose the Recall Option
- 1.7 Step 7: Click “OK” and Confirm Recall
- 1.8 FAQs
- 1.9 Conclusion
- 1.10 Share this:
- 1.11 Like this:
Understanding the Recall Feature
Before we delve into recalling an email, it’s crucial to understand how this feature works. When you recall an e-mail in Outlook, the E-mail is essentially deleted from the recipient’s inbox, granted the conditions for Re-call are met.
However, it’s essential to note that this feature works if you and the recipient are using the same e-mail server and the e-mail has yet to be opened or read by the recipient.
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Step-by-Step Guide to How to Recall an Email in Outlook
To get started, open Microsoft Outlook and locate the “Sent Items” folder, where all your sent emails are stored.
Step 2: Open the Email You Want to Recall
Find the email you wish to recall from the list in the “Sent Items” folder and open it.
Step 3: Go to the “Message” Tab
Once the email opens, go to the “Message” tab in the top toolbar.
Step 4: Click on “Actions”
In the “Message” tab, locate and click “Actions” from the ribbon menu.
Step 5: Select “Recall This Message”
When you click the menu, a drop-down screen appears, “Actions,” from the ribbon menu. From there, select “Recall This Message.” A new window will then pop up, presenting you with two points:
- “Delete unread copies of this message”: This option will remove the email from the recipient’s inbox without sending any replacement.
- “Delete unread copies and replace with a new message”: If you choose this option, then an original E-mail will be deleted from the inbox, and you’ll have the chance to compose a new e-mail to send.
It’s essential to choose the option that best suits your needs and ensure that the recipient has yet to open the E-mail to increase the chances of a successful re-call.
Step 6: Choose the Recall Option
Select the appropriate recall option based on your requirement. If you choose the second option, you can draft a new email to replace the recalled one.
Step 7: Click “OK” and Confirm Recall
Click “OK” to recall the email. If the recipient has not opened the E-mail, it will be deleted from their inbox. If the recipient recall attempt fails or has already read the e-mail, the re-call is at a Recall Notification.
Outlook will notify you whether the Re-call was successful or not. If the recall is successful, the email will be deleted from the recipient’s inbox.
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FAQs
Can I recall an email if the recipient has already opened it?
Unfortunately, if the recipient has already opened the e-mail, the recall attempt will not be successful. The recall feature is only for works if the e-mail remains unopened in the recipient’s inbox.
Does the recall feature work with any email server?
No, for the recall feature to work, the sender and recipient must use the same email server, preferably Microsoft Exchange.
Can I recall an email after a specific time?
The recall feature in Outlook is time-sensitive. You can only re-call an e-mail if the recipient still needs to open it, so acting is essential.
How often can I attempt to Re-call an E-mail?
You can attempt to recall an email only once. If the re-call is successful, there is a way to undo it.
Can the recipient know that I tried to recall an email?
Yes, in some cases, the recipient may receive a notification that you tried to recall the e-mail. It could depend on their email server settings.
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Conclusion
Recalling an email in Outlook can save you from potential embarrassment and ensure that your communication is error-free.
However, remember that the recall feature has limitations and may not always work as expected. Always double-check your e-mails before hitting the “send” button to avoid mishaps. Happy emailing!