Overview

Delay Delivery is a great option when you prepare an email in advance of when you want it sent. If you haven’t used the feature before, here are the steps.

Outlook — Windows Desktop

IMPORTANT! If using the Desktop application, Outlook must be open at the time of delayed delivery to send. If you intend on sending a message while you are away or out of the office, you should use the Mobile or Online options to send.

1. In the message you are composing, click the Options tab.
2. In the More Options group, click Delay Delivery.
3. Under Delivery options, check the box for Do not deliver before and select a date and time.
4. Click Close.
5. In the message window, click Send.
6. Now, the message remains in the Outbox folder until the delivery time you selected.

Outlook — Web Version

1. Compose your message and then select the dropdown menu (v icon) next to the Send button.
2. Select Schedule later or Send later.
3. Select the date and time you’d like the email to be delivered (the window will suggest common times, but you can click “Custom time” to enter your own) and click Send.

Outlook — Mobile Version

1. Compose your message and then select the Send later icon (paper airplace with clock) at the bottom of the compose window
2. Select the date and time you’d like the email to be delivered and click Send.

Troubleshooting

Outlook for Desktop only sends delayed messages when Outlook is actively open because the desktop version of Outlook is running in Cached Exchange Mode. When you enable the Do not deliver before option, the message is stored in the local Outbox, not on the server. However, there are two workarounds for this problem.

Option 1 - Use Web or Mobile Outlook

You can opt to use the web version of Outlook whenever you want to delay a send. Those emails will be saved to the server and send at the time you selected. 

Please see the two respective sections above for steps.

Options 2 - Disable Cached Exchange Mode

Alternately, you can change the settings of your Windows desktop version of Outlook so that it doesn’t use the default cached mode. However this comes with risk that you should review below before proceeding.

Cached Exchange Mode is designed to improve performance and provide offline access by storing a local copy of your mailbox. However, if you choose to disable this feature, Outlook will access your mailbox directly from the Exchange server without storing data locally. This can help reduce disk space usage on your device. 

With a stable internet connection, disabling Cached Exchange Mode will not affect the timely delivery or synchronization of new emails. Outlook will continue to sync in real time, similar to the experience in Outlook Web Access. 

Please note that without Cached Exchange Mode: 

• Emails and other mailbox items will not be available offline. 
• Search and performance may be slightly slower, as data is retrieved directly from the server. 

Microsoft generally recommends keeping Cached Exchange Mode enabled for optimal performance, especially in environments with limited connectivity. However, if disk space is a concern and your internet connection is reliable, disabling it is a valid option. 

Steps to disable Cached Exchange Mode: 

1. DO THIS FIRST: Any messages already scheduled for delayed delivery in your desktop app and stored in Outlook’s local Outbox will be lost when you make this change. Save them as drafts, first, then schedule them for delay delivery after you’ve made the changes below and restarted Outlook. 
2. Click File in the top left of the Outlook task bar.
3. Select Account Settings in the main window.
4. In the Email tab, click Change.
5. Uncheck the box next to Use Cached Exchange Mode.
6. Click Next. When the message Account successfully updated appears, click Done.
7. Exit, and then restart Outlook.