Delayed sending lets you write an email now and release it later. It is useful for business-hours timing, thoughtful follow-up, or giving yourself a short undo window before messages leave.
Does this affect you?
Use this for classic Outlook for Windows, new Outlook, Outlook.com, Outlook for Mac, and Outlook mobile. Menu names vary, and classic Outlook handles delayed delivery differently from server-based Schedule Send.
Delay a single message in classic Outlook
Set the delivery time before clicking Send.
- Write the email normally, but leave it unsent.
- Open the Options tab in the message window.
- Click Delay Delivery.
- Under Delivery options, check Do not deliver before.
- Choose the date and time.
- Close the dialog and click Send.
The message stays in Outbox until the selected time. In classic Outlook, it sends only when Outlook is open and connected.
Delay every message by a few minutes
Use a rule as a safety net.
- Open File > Manage Rules & Alerts.
- Click New Rule.
- Choose Apply rule on messages I send.
- Leave conditions unchecked if every message should be delayed, then confirm when Outlook asks.
- Choose defer delivery by a number of minutes.
- Click the underlined number and enter the delay.
- Finish and save the rule.
Schedule send in new Outlook or Outlook.com
Newer Outlook versions use a direct scheduling control.
- Write the message.
- Click the small arrow beside Send instead of Send itself.
- Choose Schedule send.
- Pick a suggested time or Custom time.
- Confirm the schedule.
The message moves to Scheduled and sends from Microsoft servers, so Outlook does not need to remain open the same way classic desktop Outlook does.
More control
Send, edit, or cancel before the time
In classic Outlook, open the message from Outbox to change the delay or delete it. In new Outlook or Outlook.com, open Scheduled to send now, edit the time, or cancel.
If a delayed message will not send
Check whether Outlook was closed, offline, or the selected time is still in the future. Open Delay Delivery again and confirm the date and time.
Delay only certain messages
Edit the send-delay rule and add conditions such as recipients, subject words, account, or importance if only some mail should wait.
Sources
- Microsoft Support – Delay or schedule sending email messages (2025)
- Microsoft Support – Create a rule from an Outlook message (2025)
- Microsoft Support – Set delivery options for a message (2025)