How to Recall & Replace Email in Outlook

Recalling and replacing an email in Microsoft Outlook can be done under specific conditions. Here are the general steps for recalling an email in Outlook:

Recall an Email:

1. Open Outlook:
   • Launch Microsoft Outlook and log in to your email account.
2. Go to the “Sent Items” Folder:
   • Navigate to the “Sent Items” folder in your mailbox.
3. Open the Email to be Recalled:
   • Open the email that you want to recall.
4. Click on “Actions” (or “More” in newer versions):
   • Look for the “Actions” button on the toolbar. In newer versions of Outlook, you might find a “More” option.
   • Click on it to reveal a dropdown menu.
5. Select “Recall This Message”:
   • In the dropdown menu, select “Recall This Message.”
6. Choose Recall Options:
   • In the Recall This Message dialog box, you’ll have two options:
     • Delete unread copies of this message: This option will attempt to delete the email from the recipient’s inbox if it hasn’t been read.
     • Delete unread copies and replace with a new message: This option allows you to send a new email in place of the recalled one.
   • Select the appropriate option.
7. Click “OK” to Confirm:
   • Click “OK” to confirm your recall settings.

Replace an Email:

If you chose the option to replace the email with a new message, follow these additional steps:

1. Compose the Replacement Email:
   • A new message window will open. Compose your replacement email with the corrected content.
2. Send the Replacement Email:
   • Send the replacement email as you normally would.

Important Considerations:

• Recall Success is Not Guaranteed:
  • The recall feature is not foolproof. It works best when the recipient hasn’t opened the original email.
• Recipient’s Email Client Support:
  • The success of the recall also depends on whether the recipient’s email client supports the recall feature.
• Notification to the Recipient:
  • When you recall a message, the recipient might receive a notification informing them about the recall attempt. The original message might still be visible in their inbox.
• Settings and Versions:
  • The steps might vary slightly depending on the version of Outlook you are using.

Always remember that the recall feature is not a guaranteed way to retract an email, and its effectiveness depends on various factors. It’s advisable to double-check your emails before sending to avoid the need for recalls.