Sending an email by mistake can be frustrating, but knowing how to unsend an email on Outlook can help you fix the situation. Outlook offers a Message Recall feature that allows users to delete an unread email from the recipient’s inbox or replace it with a corrected version. However, this feature works only if both you and the recipient use Microsoft Exchange or Outlook 365 within the same organization. If the recipient has already opened the email, the recall function will not work, and you may need to send a follow-up correction instead.

To recall an email in Outlook, go to the Sent Items folder and open the email you want to retract. Click on File > Resend & Recall > Recall This Message, then choose either to delete unread copies or replace them with a new version. If successful, Outlook will remove the email before the recipient reads it. However, if the recall fails, the recipient will receive a notification that a recall attempt was made. This is why enabling Outlook’s Undo Send option in advance is a good precaution, as it gives you a short window to stop an email from being sent.

If recalling the message is not possible, a polite follow-up email acknowledging the mistake can be a practical solution. You can also use Outlook’s delay feature to schedule emails, giving you extra time to review them before they are sent. Managing emails effectively is essential, and the Emails Partner Team provides expert tips to help you optimize your Outlook experience and avoid common email mishaps.