The guide on how to delay emails in Outlook

Email, one of the most disruptive technologies ever led the way for a digital communication wave of change that has more or less destroyed the traditional methods of communication. Why write a letter when you can just type out an email and have it delivered and read instantly? The problem with email is that it has led to a bunch of users who just type without thinking and hitting send, only to regret what they have written. Don’t look at us that way, we are all guilty of it. However, if you have Microsoft Outlook, you can put a delay on emails, giving you a chance to avoid such mistakes or regrets.

Below are instructions on how to delay emails in Outlook.

7-second tape delay for emails

It worked well for hockey commentator Don Cherry after a few unpopular comments landed his program, Coach’s Corner, in hot water. For emails, seven seconds is a bit short, we recommend delaying potentially inflammatory emails for 10 minutes, to give you time to review and possibly cancel if you notice mistakes. You can add a delay on individual emails in Outlook by choosing the delivery options:

1. Start from a blank email message and click the Options tab in the window you’re writing your email in and selecting More Options.
2. Select Delay Delivery followed by Message Options.
3. Clicking the Don’t deliver before check box and select enter the number of the date and time to send the email. Click finish and schedule an email.

You’ll be taken back to the message window after you’ve selected the delivery time, and click Send will put the email in the Outbox folder and delay sending until the specified time. If you use a POP3 email account – if you’re unsure what you use, contact the administrator in charge of email – you will have to keep Outlook open.

There are many different reasons to use the delay function of Outlook, it’s especially useful if you often realize there are mistakes in your emails after you send the message. You should still be sure to read over your emails and if it’s an angry reply or it contains negative information ensure that it carries a relevant tone and that you really want to send it. Has there ever been a time when you could have used this feature? Let us know.