How to recall an email in Outlook

What is Email Recall?

Email recall is a feature in Microsoft Outlook that allows a sender to retract an email that has been sent. This can be useful if you realise you made a mistake or sent the email to the wrong person.

Conditions for Email Recall

- The recipient must not have opened the email yet.

- The email must be in the recipient's inbox.

Steps to Recall an Email in Outlook

1. Open Outlook:

Launch the Microsoft Outlook application on your computer.

2. Go to Sent Items:

Navigate to the "Sent Items" folder in the left pane.

3. Find the Email:

Locate the email you want to recall.

4. Open the Email:

Double-click on the email to open it.

5. Select Recall This Message:

- Click on the "File" tab in the upper left corner.

- Choose "Info" from the list.

- Click on "Message Resend and Recall" and select "Recall This Message".

6. Choose an Option: You will see two options:

- Delete unread copies of this message: This will attempt to remove the email from the recipient's inbox.

- Delete unread copies and replace with a new message: This allows you to send a revised version of the email.

7. Confirm Recall:

Click "OK" to confirm your choice.

8. Follow Up:

You may want to follow up with the recipient to ensure they received your updated message or to explain the recall.

Important Notes

- Recalls are not guaranteed to work, especially if the recipient has already opened the original email.

- You will receive notifications about the success or failure of the recall attempt.

- It’s often better to send a follow-up email rather than relying on the recall feature.

Conclusion

Recalling an email in Outlook can be a helpful tool when mistakes occur. However, understanding its limitations is crucial for effective communication.