How to schedule an email in Outlook for Mac, Windows, and web

Scheduling an email is a great way to stay on top of important workplace communication, without having to wait to hit send until dawn. This feature is available for just about every major email platform, and today we’re going to cover Outlook’s take on this simple but effective capability.

Difficulty
Easy

Duration
10 minutes

What You Need

• Microsoft Outlook application
• Microsoft Outlook account

Whether you’re using Windows and macOS desktop apps, or you’re accessing Outlook through your web browser, our guide covers each method in detail. We’ve also provided answers to some frequently asked questions, so stick around to read those at the end!

Schedule an Outlook email on Windows

If you want to delay your Outlook email from a Windows PC, just follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Open Outlook on Windows and click New email or reply to an existing message.

Step 2: Compose your email, add the recipient, and enter the subject line as normal.

Step 3: Go to the Options tab in the message window and select Delay delivery in the ribbon.

Step 4: In the Properties box that opens, go down to the Delivery options section. Check the box for Do not deliver before and choose the date and time to send the email.

Step 5: Click Close to exit Properties.

Step 6: You’ll return to the email window. Click Send to send the message later.

Step 7: To view, edit, or cancel a scheduled email, go to your Outbox folder.

Schedule an Outlook email on Mac

Have a great MacBook but unsure how to work your way around Outlook on it? Follow these steps to delay your email:

Step 1: Open Outlook on Mac and click New email or New message depending on your version. Alternatively, you can reply to an existing message.

Step 2: Compose your email, add the recipient, and enter the subject line as you normally would.

Step 3: When you’re ready to schedule the email, click the arrow to the right of the Send button at the top and choose Send later.

Step 4: Select the date and time and click Send.

Step 5: To view or cancel an email you’ve scheduled, head to your Drafts folder.

Schedule an Outlook email on the web

You can even delay an Outlook message from the browser version of the app, if you follow these steps:

Step 1: Visit Outlook on the web, sign in, and click New message on the top-left or reply to an existing email.

Step 2: Compose your email, add the recipient, and enter the subject line as normal.

Step 3: To schedule the email, click the arrow to the right of the Send button at the bottom and choose Send later.

Step 4: Select one of the suggested date and times or pick Custom time to enter your own.

Step 5: Click Send.

Step 6: To view a scheduled email, edit it, or cancel the sending of it, open your Drafts folder.

Can I change the status of a scheduled email?

What if you decide that an email you’ve set for a scheduled time needs to be sent urgently instead? Fortunately, Outlook allows you to change that scheduled status.

First, head to your Outlook’s Draft folder. This is where all of your scheduled emails are stored. Find the message you’re looking for, click it, then click Edit (the pencil icon). Click Send Now, and Outlook will do just that.

Can I set up read receipts in Outlook?

Microsoft Outlook can send you read receipts when the person or team you’re sending an email to receives your correspondence. Do note that recipients have the ability to decline sending read receipts. Read receipts may also not be compatible with certain email platforms.

To set up Outlook read receipts, click the Options (or More Options) tab in an email you’re composing. Then just check the Request a Delivery Receipt or Request a Read Receipt box.

For similar features, learn how to schedule a Skype call through Outlook. Or, for ways to manage your inbox, take a look at how to stop spam emails. Finally, don't forget that — should you make a mistake — there are ways to recall an email in Outlook and try again.