Skip to content

Setting Up a Delay for All Email Messages in Outlook

This guide will walk you through the steps to set up a delay for all outgoing emails in Microsoft Outlook. By following these steps, you can ensure that your emails are held in the Outbox for a specified period before being sent, giving you a chance to make any last-minute changes.

Disclaimer

Please be advised that we do not provide official technical support for this setup. It is offered as a courtesy, and we are unable to assist with any issues, troubleshooting, or complications that may arise from its use.

Step 1: Open Outlook and Navigate to Rules

  1. Open Microsoft Outlook.
  2. Go to the File tab.

  3. Click on Manage Rules & Alerts.

    Manage Rules & Alerts

Step 2: Create a New Rule

  1. In the Rules and Alerts window, click on New Rule.

  2. In the Rules Wizard, select Apply rule on messages I send under the Start from a blank rule section.

    New Rule 3. Click Next.

Step 3: Set Conditions

  1. If you want the delay to apply to all emails, do not select any conditions and click Next.

  2. You will be prompted with a message saying, This rule will be applied to every message you send. Click Yes.

    No Conditions

Step 4: Set the Delay

  1. In the next window, select the option defer delivery by a number of minutes.
  2. In the lower part of the window, click on a number of to specify the delay time.
  3. Enter the number of minutes you want to delay the emails (e.g., 5 minutes).

  4. Click Next.

    Set Delay

Step 5: Set Exceptions (Optional)

  1. If there are exceptions where you do not want the delay to apply (e.g., to a specific recipient), you can specify them in this step.
  2. Click Next when finished.

Step 6: Name and Finish the Rule

  1. Give your rule a name, such as Delay All Email Rule.
  2. Make sure the option Turn on this rule is checked.

  3. Click Finish to apply the rule.

    Finish Rule

Step 7: Test the Rule

  1. Compose a new email and send it.
  2. Check the Outbox folder to ensure the email is delayed as per the rule.

Conclusion

You have successfully set up a delay for all outgoing emails in Outlook. This feature can help you avoid sending emails prematurely and give you additional time to review your messages before they are sent.