How to schedule emails in Outlook

Prerequisites & Requirements

• •Outlook 2016, 2019, or Microsoft 365 subscription.
• •Active internet connection for sending scheduled emails.
• •Proper permissions to send emails from the account being used.
• •No pending updates for Outlook that may affect functionality.

Method 1: Using the Delay Delivery Option

• •Step 1: Open Outlook and click on 'New Email' in the Home tab.
• •Step 2: Compose your email as usual, entering the recipient, subject, and message body.
• •Step 3: Click on the 'Options' tab in the email window.
• •Step 4: Click on 'Delay Delivery' in the More Options group.
• •Step 5: In the Properties dialog, check the box for 'Do not deliver before' and select the desired date and time.
• •Step 6: Click 'Close' to return to your email, then click 'Send'.
• •Step 7: To verify it worked, check the 'Outbox' folder where your email will remain until the scheduled time.
• •Step 8: If it doesn't work, ensure your Outlook is connected to the internet and that the scheduled time is in the future.

For Windows 11

• •Step 1: Click on 'New Email' from the Home tab.
• •Step 2: Follow the same steps as outlined above for composing and scheduling your email.

For Windows 10

• •Step 1: Click 'New Email' from the Home tab.
• •Step 2: Follow the same steps as outlined above for composing and scheduling your email.

Method 2: Using Outlook Web App (OWA)

• •Step 1: Log in to your Outlook account via your web browser.
• •Step 2: Click on 'New Message' to start composing your email.
• •Step 3: Enter the recipient, subject, and body of the email.
• •Step 4: Click on the drop-down arrow next to the 'Send' button.
• •Step 5: Select 'Send later'.
• •Step 6: Choose the date and time you want the email to be sent.
• •Step 7: Click 'Send' to schedule the email.
• •Step 8: To verify, check your 'Drafts' or 'Scheduled' folder.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• •Error: 'Your message could not be sent' - Solution: Check your internet connection and ensure Outlook is online.
• •Issue: Email not appearing in Outbox - Fix: Ensure you clicked 'Send' after scheduling and check the scheduled time.
• •Problem: Scheduled email not sent at the right time - Workaround: Verify your time zone settings in Outlook.

Advanced Tips & Shortcuts

• •Keyboard shortcut: Ctrl + N - Opens a new email window quickly.
• •Command line: outlook.exe /a <file> - Attach a file directly when opening Outlook.
• •Hidden feature: Quick Steps - Create a Quick Step to automate repetitive tasks, including scheduling.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Expert Tips