How to Schedule Email in Microsoft Outlook

Write now, send later

by
Heinz Tschabitscher
Heinz Tschabitscher
Writer
A former freelance contributor who has reviewed hundreds of email programs and services since 1997.
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Heinz Tschabitscher
Updated on December 04, 2020
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Ryan Perian
Lifewire Tech Review Board Member
Ryan Perian is a certified IT specialist who holds numerous IT certifications and has 12+ years' experience working in the IT industry support and management positions.
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Article reviewed on Aug 11, 2020
Ryan Perian
Delay sending mail in Outlook

What to Know

  • Compose your email, then go to Options. Under More Options, select Delay Delivery.
  • Under Properties, select Do not deliver before and choose a time and date.
  • Go back to your email and select Send.

This article explains how to schedule emails in Microsoft Outlook. Instructions apply to Outlook 2019, Outlook 2016, Outlook 2013, Outlook 2010, and Outlook for Microsoft 365.

Schedule an Email to Send Later in Outlook

Outlook allows you to specify exactly when you'd like your email to be sent.

Outlook must be online and connected for this feature to work.

  1. Compose a message. Either create a new message, reply to a message, or forward a message.

  2. Go to the Options tab.

    Screenshot of Options tab in Outlook message window

  3. In the More Options group, select Delay Delivery.

  4. In the Properties dialog box, select the Do not deliver before check box.

    Screenshot of Delay Delivery Propteries

  5. Choose the date and time when you want to send the message.

  6. Select Close.

  7. In the message window, select Send.

This puts your message in the Outbox until the time you specified arrives, and then it is sent.

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