How to Delay Sending Emails in Microsoft Outlook

Introduction

You can use rules to delay the delivery of all email messages by having them held in the Outbox for a specified time after you click Send. Specify one or more email accounts and number of minutes to wait before sending out emails.

Step 1: Open "Rules and Alerts" Dialog

Select "Home" tab/menu in Outlook and click on "More" icon.

Select "Rules > Manage Rules and Alerts" from the menu and press "New Rule" button.

Step 2: Select Template

Select "Apply rule on message I send" template from the list. Press "Next >" button.

Step 3: Select Conditions

Check "through the specified account" box and then click on "specified" in the "Step 2" box at the bottom of the dialog to select an account.

Step 4: Select an Account

Select an account to apply this rule to. All messages that are emailed from this account will be processed by the rule.

Step 5: Select "Defer Delivery" Action

Select "Defer delivery" action and then click on "a number of minutes" link in Step 2 box at the bottom of the dialog.

Step 6: Select Number of Minutes to Defer Delivery

Select number of minutes and press OK button.

Step 7: Select Optional Exceptions

Optionally, select one or more exceptions and press "Next>>" button.

Step 8: Specify Name and Save

Enter rule name and optionally other processing options. Press "Finish" to save.

Step 9: Exit "Rules and Alerts" Dialog

Press OK button to close "Rules and Alerts" dialog. Now all emails from the selected account will be defered for the specified number of minutes.