How to Delay or Schedule Email Delivery in Microsoft Outlook

This guide is for small-business employees using Microsoft Outlook for Microsoft 365 (desktop app) or Outlook on the Web. Following the steps below lets you schedule an email to send at a future date and time—so you can coordinate across time zones, respect business hours, or set reminders in advance without having to remember to hit Send later.

Schedule a Delayed Email in Outlook Desktop (Windows)

1. Open Outlook and click New Email. Fill in the recipient, subject, and message body.
2. In the message window, click the Options tab.
3. In the More Options section, click Delay Delivery.
4. In the Properties window, under Delivery options, check the box next to Do not deliver before.
5. Choose the date and time you want the email to be sent.
6. Click Close, then click Send.

Note: The email will remain in your Outbox until the scheduled time. Your Outlook desktop app must stay open and connected to the internet for the message to send at the specified time.

Schedule a Delayed Email in Outlook on the Web

1. Go to https://outlook.office.com and sign in.
2. Click New Message and write your email.
3. Click the dropdown arrow next to the Send button.
4. Choose Send later.
5. Pick the date and time for delivery.
6. Click Send.

Note: Scheduled emails appear in your Drafts folder until they are sent. Because Outlook on the Web sends from Microsoft’s cloud, the message will go out at the scheduled time even if your browser is closed.

Common Use Cases

• Sending meeting reminders in advance
• Coordinating messages across different time zones
• Avoiding sending emails outside of normal business hours

If you run into trouble scheduling emails or need help with your Microsoft 365 setup, contact ACS and our team will be happy to assist.

Common questions

What happens if I close Outlook desktop before my scheduled email sends?

If Outlook desktop is closed or disconnected from the internet when the scheduled send time arrives, the email will not go out. It will remain in your Outbox and send the next time Outlook is open and connected. To avoid this, consider using Outlook on the Web, which sends from Microsoft’s cloud regardless of whether your browser is open.

Where can I find a scheduled email after I click Send in Outlook on the Web?

After you schedule an email in Outlook on the Web, it moves to your Drafts folder and stays there until the scheduled date and time arrives, at which point Microsoft’s servers send it automatically.

Can I cancel or reschedule an email after I have already scheduled it?

Yes. For Outlook desktop, open your Outbox, double-click the message, go back to Options and then Delay Delivery, and adjust or remove the scheduled date and time. For Outlook on the Web, open the Drafts folder, find the scheduled message, and edit or delete it before the send time arrives.