How To Retract Email In Outlook

Have you ever sent an email and immediately regretted it? Maybe you accidentally hit “send” too soon or realized you made a typo in the subject line. Whatever the reason, we’ve all been there. Luckily, if you’re using Outlook, there’s a way to retract that embarrassing email before it’s too late.

Retracting an Email in Outlook

Retracting an email in Outlook allows you to recall a message that you have sent. However, it’s important to note that this feature is only available if certain conditions are met:

  • The recipient must also be using Outlook and must not have read the message yet.
  • The email must have been sent within the same organization or domain.
  • You must have the necessary permissions to retract the email.

Now, let’s dive into the steps to retract an email in Outlook:

Step 1: Open the “Sent Items” Folder

First, open Outlook and navigate to the “Sent Items” folder. This is where you will find the email that you want to retract.

Step 2: Open the Email

Next, locate the email that you want to retract and double-click on it to open it in a new window.

Step 3: Go to the “Message” Tab

In the new window, you will see a ribbon at the top of the screen. Click on the “Message” tab.

Step 4: Click on the “Actions” Dropdown Menu

In the “Message” tab, you will find the “Actions” group. Click on the dropdown menu next to the “Actions” button.

Step 5: Select “Recall This Message”

From the dropdown menu, select “Recall This Message.” A new window will appear with two options: “Delete unread copies of this message” and “Delete unread copies and replace with a new message.” Choose the option that suits your needs.

Step 6: Click “OK”

Once you have selected the appropriate option, click “OK” to retract the email.

It’s important to note that even if you successfully retract the email, there is no guarantee that the recipient won’t see a notification or a message indicating that you tried to recall the email. However, the content of the email itself will be deleted from their inbox.

Conclusion

Retracting an email in Outlook can save you from potential embarrassment or sending out incorrect information. However, it’s always best to double-check your emails before hitting that “send” button. Remember, prevention is key!