Recall a Message in Outlook – Instructions

Recall a Message in Outlook: Video Lesson

          This video lesson, titled “Recalling Messages,” shows how to recall a message in Outlook. This video lesson is from our complete Outlook tutorial, titled “Mastering Outlook Made Easy v.2019 and 365.”

Recall a Message in Outlook: Overview

            You can attempt to recall a message in Outlook. You do this after you send a message to someone and then want to delete it. Alternatively, you can also attempt to delete it and replace it with another message.

            You can attempt to recall a message in Outlook by using the Sent Items folder. However, note that this function only works if the e-mail recipient has not yet opened the message. Also, note that a recall attempt doesn’t instantly delete the message from the recipient’s Inbox if they do not have automatic processing of meeting requests enabled for their Exchange email account. Instead, it tells them you want to delete the message or delete it and replace it with another message.

            To recall a message in Outlook, open the Sent Items folder. In this folder, double-click the message to recall, opening it in its own “Message” window. Then click the “Actions” button in the “Move” button group on the “Message” tab of the Ribbon. Then select the “Recall This Message…” command.

Recall a Message in Outlook – Instructions: A picture of a user trying to recall a message in Outlook for Microsoft 365.

            After selecting the command, a “Recall This Message” dialog box appears. There are two option buttons in this dialog box. Selecting the “Delete unread copies of this message” option attempts to delete the message. Selecting the “Delete unread copies and replace with a new message” option attempts to delete and replace the message.

            Click the desired option button to select the option to attempt. Optionally, you can also check the “Tell me if recall succeeds or fails for each recipient” checkbox. If checked, this informs you of the status of the recall attempt for each recipient. When ready, then click the “OK” button. If you chose to send another email to replace the current email, you must then create and send the replacement email, too. You can then close the original “Message” window by clicking the “X” button in its upper-right corner.

Recall a Message in Outlook: Instructions

1. To recall a message in Outlook, open the Sent Items folder.
2. Double-click the message to recall, opening it in its own “Message” window.
3. Then click the “Actions” button in the “Move” button group on the “Message” tab of the Ribbon.
4. Then select the “Recall This Message…” command.
5. To try to delete unread copies of the message, choose the “Delete unread copies of this message” option button.
6. Alternatively, to try to delete unread copies of the message and replace them with a new message, choose the “Delete unread copies and replace with a new message” option button, instead.
7. To receive notice on the success or failure of the recall attempt, check the “Tell me if recall succeeds or fails for each recipient” checkbox.
8. Click the “OK’ button after making your selections to close the dialog box.
9. If you chose to replace the email, then create and send the replacement email.
10. Then close the “Message” window by clicking the “X” button in its upper-right corner.