In this article, we will show you how to recall an email in Outlook to fix email mistakes quickly and efficiently.

We’ve all been there: sending an email and realizing a split second later that you made a mistake. Whether it’s a typo, wrong attachment, or a message sent to the wrong recipient, the ability to recall an email in Outlook can be a lifesaver.

Outlook provides a built-in feature that allows you to attempt to recall an email—meaning that if the recipient hasn’t already read or opened your email, you can retract it and send a corrected version. While it’s not foolproof, it’s a handy tool to have in your arsenal when you need to correct an email you’ve sent.

Here, we will guide you through the process of recalling an email in Outlook, including what works, what doesn’t, and best practices for avoiding mistakes in the first place.

See Also: 3 Steps to unsend an email in GMail, Outlook, Yahoo,

What Does Recalling an Email Mean?

When you “recall” an email in Outlook, the program attempts to remove the email from the recipient’s inbox and replace it with a new one, if applicable. Essentially, it’s an attempt to undo an email that was mistakenly sent. However, there are some important things to note:

• The email will only be recalled if the recipient hasn’t opened it yet.

• If the recipient uses an email system other than Outlook, the recall might not work at all.

• If the recipient has already read the email, the recall attempt will fail.

See Also: 5 Steps to Mass Delete Emails on GMail

How to recall an email in Outlook – Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Open Outlook and Go to “Sent Items”

First, open Microsoft Outlook and navigate to your Sent Items folder. This is where all your sent emails are stored, including the one you wish to recall.

Step 2: Open the Email You Want to Recall

Find the email you want to recall and double-click to open it. Make sure that you are opening the full message, not just previewing it from the list.

Step 3: Select “Actions” and Choose “Recall This Message”

Once the email is open, go to the Message tab at the top of the screen. Then, in the Move group, click on Actions. If you don’t see the Actions option directly, click on the More Commands button (three dots), and you should find the recall option there.

Next, click on Recall This Message. A new dialog box will appear with two options:

• Delete unread copies of this message: This option will attempt to remove the email from the recipient’s inbox entirely.

• Delete unread copies and replace with a new message: If you want to not only recall the email but also send a corrected version, choose this option.

Step 4: Choose Your Recall Settings

Select your preferred option based on what you want to do. If you are correcting an email, you can also check the box that notifies you whether the recall was successful or not.

Step 5: Send the New Email (If Needed)

If you selected the option to replace the email with a new one, you’ll be taken to a new draft where you can revise the message. Once you’ve made your corrections, hit Send.

Step 6: Wait for Confirmation

Outlook will attempt to recall the email and replace it if necessary. Keep an eye on your inbox for an email notification informing you whether the recall was successful or failed.

See Also: 5 Steps to Find Archived Emails in GMail

Important Things to Know About Recalling Emails in Outlook

While recalling emails in Outlook is a powerful feature, it doesn’t always work perfectly. Here are a few key points to keep in mind:

• Both you and the recipient must be using Outlook: If the recipient is using a different email platform (like Gmail or Yahoo), the recall will not work. The feature only works within the Outlook ecosystem.

• The email must be unread: The recipient has to have not yet opened the email for the recall attempt to be successful. If the email has already been opened, the recall will fail.

• The recipient must be on the same email server: If the recipient is not using the same email server or is on a different Exchange server, the recall might not work.

• Success isn’t guaranteed: Even if all the conditions are right, the recall might not always work due to various technical reasons, like email forwarding or server delays.

Best Practices to Avoid Email Mistakes in the Future

While recalling an email is a helpful feature, it’s always better to prevent mistakes from happening in the first place. Here are a few best practices to avoid having to recall emails in the future:

1. Double-Check Before Hitting Send: Take an extra moment to read through your email for typos, errors, or any unintended recipients. A quick glance can save a lot of trouble later.

2. Use the Delay Delivery Feature: If you’re not sure about an email, you can use Outlook’s Delay Delivery feature. This lets you schedule your email to be sent later, giving you a window to review it before it’s delivered.

3. Use “Undo Send” in Gmail: If you’re working in other platforms, like Gmail, you can use the “Undo Send” feature, which gives you a few seconds after hitting send to retract the email. It’s not as extensive as the Outlook recall feature, but it’s handy for quick fixes.

See Also: 6 Steps to Convert Mail to Excel Open Source

Conclusion

Recalling an email in Outlook can be a lifesaver when you make a mistake, but it’s important to remember that it’s not foolproof. By following the steps outlined above, you can easily attempt to recall your emails, but always keep in mind the limitations. To avoid relying on this feature too often, make sure to proofread your emails carefully and take advantage of Outlook’s delay send options.

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