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- Oops-Proofing Your Inbox: How to Recall an Email in Microsoft Outlook
Oops-Proofing Your Inbox: How to Recall an Email in Microsoft Outlook
Hit “Send” too soon? Outlook’s recall feature might just save your professional life—if you play by its rules.

We’ve all been there: firing off an email only to realize seconds later you’ve sent it to the wrong person or forgot the crucial attachment. Microsoft Outlook has a built-in recall feature that offers a slim but powerful chance at redemption—provided both you and the recipient use Outlook on the same Exchange server, and they haven’t already opened the message. To initiate a recall, head to your “Sent Items,” double-click the email to open it, and navigate to the “Actions” menu under the Message tab. From there, select “Recall This Message,” and choose whether to delete the unread email or replace it with a corrected version.
Outlook will attempt the recall and may notify you if it worked—but don’t count on miracles if the recipient already clicked it. While recall can be a lifesaver, it’s not foolproof. Your best defense is prevention: always double-check details before hitting send and consider using Outlook’s “Delay Delivery” option to build in a grace period. Because in the email world, there’s no CTRL+Z—unless you plan ahead.
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