Outlook: How to Recall a Sent Message

Contributor Icon Contributed by Rob Rogers  
Tag Icon Tagged: Microsoft Outlook  

Have you ever clicked send on a message and then remembered that you forgot to attach that important file, or realized you put the wrong time down for a meeting? Outlook allows you the option of recalling a sent message. Here’s how:


For Outlook 2003:

1. Go to the Sent Items folder.

2. Find the message you want recalled and double-click it.

3. Go to the Actions menu and select Recall This Message.

4. To recall the message:

Select Delete unread copies of this message.
(Note: the recipient needs to have Outlook opened for the message to be deleted)

To replace the message:

Select Delete unread copies and replace with a new message, click OK, and type your new message.

To be notified about the success of the recall or replacement:

Check the Tell me if recall succeeds or fails for each recipient check box.

5. Click OK.

UPDATE: How To Recall a Sent Message in Outlook 2007:

1. Click on Sent Items.

2. Find the message you want recalled and double-click it to open.

3. Go to the Ribbon.

4. In the Actions section, click Other Actions and select Recall This Message.

5. Select Delete unread copies of this message.

6. To be notified about the success of the recall, check the Tell me if recall succeeds or fails for each recipient checkbox.

7. Click OK.

 

61 Comments -


  1. oabo said on October 13, 2008

    Thank you, please note that if the mail is read before you recall it will send a “failure to recall” email.

  2. Vincenia said on December 4, 2008

    I have tried to recall a message without success even the recipient open to Outlook (Note: the recipient needs to have Outlook opened for the message to be deleted).

    When the recipient clicks to recall message, the original email is still be opened to read. Why?

  3. Anon said on December 23, 2008

    Thanks :) just saved me embarrassment of not putting the subject into an email

  4. Alice said on January 8, 2009

    No action on my toolbar. Only More Actions?
    Unable to recall msg

  5. Frieda said on January 16, 2009

    GREAT THANKS!!!

  6. Brian said on February 1, 2009

    Many thanks quick and straight to the point

  7. Marian Matei said on February 18, 2009

    Thanks! Very usefull!

  8. john said on February 27, 2009

    This recall function only works when using MS Exchange email account. It does not work with other popular email providers such as hotmail, yahoo, gmail, etc…

  9. Dave said on March 4, 2009

    This entry made me look like a hero – thanks for those responsible.

    CEO calls in a big panic – I google, land on this entry, and shout out these instructions in the speakerphone.

    Sweet.

  10. Randal Oulton said on March 24, 2009

    It should be noted that this only works in very limited circumstances:

    - It will not work on email sent outside your organization;
    - It only works in internal systems and for those using Microsoft Outlook in that internal system;
    - On the recipient’s install of Outlook, in Tracking Options, Process requests and responses on arrival must be selected.
    - the original message must be unread.

    And, even if it is successful, the recipient gets informed that you deleted the message from his or her mailbox, perhaps making them even more curious than they would have been otherwise.

    More information: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook/HA010917601033.aspx (link valid as of March 2008)

  11. Raven said on April 15, 2009

    That was helpful.

    Thanks.

  12. neil said on May 22, 2009

    we have outlook 2007. Sent a message to 5 internal people – got back 2 successful, 2 failed, the other, zip, nada, nothing:-(( Any idea why not? We’d like to get it back – her mother died and we accidentally inculded her in the flower-note. No big deal, but it’s frustrating. She’s on the same server as us, same version as us, and no-way has she opened it up yet, but even if she had, we would have gotten the “failed” message. Didn’t do the replace option at first, but when we tried that route, still nothing from her email

  13. Wafaa said on June 15, 2009

    Thanks, that was very helpfull for me.

  14. Bandit said on July 16, 2009

    Perhaps her Outlook has to be running in order for the Request to process. If she’s out of the office with the computer off, there is no client app running to process your recall request. I don’t get the impression that the recall is done at the server level.

  15. Anonymous said on August 28, 2009

    Recall will only be success full if:

    The recipient uses Outlook and Outlook is running
    The recipient’s mailbox must be open for the recall to success

    Message Recall will not be successful if:
    The recipient is not using Outlook
    The recipient is not logged on to the mail service provider
    The message has been read

  16. Anonymous said on October 7, 2009

    Solution: Think and re-read before you send.

  17. Anonymous said on November 18, 2009

    i lost my IDpassword

  18. Owais said on November 20, 2009

    Thanks…Very usefull

  19. Anonymous said on November 26, 2009

    Simply Fantastic. No words to explain about this

  20. Anonymous said on December 1, 2009

    I think it works, but it sent a message to the recipient that I wanted to recall the email, then it asked the recipient for authorization for me to take it back.

    Still it is a good idea, if I do not mind telling the recipient and asking permission. :-)

  21. Anonymous said on December 10, 2009

    It may work to a degree but is really not all that effective. It sends a message to the recipeint basically asking them if its OK to recall the message. So naturally in most cases people will immediatley read the message in question. The sender ends up raising the profile of the message they wish to retract.

  22. Anonymous said on January 26, 2010

    Where is the actions menu? (I can’t find it)

  23. Anonymous said on January 26, 2010

    Where is the actions menu? I can’t find it

  24. Anonymous said on January 26, 2010

    Where is the actions menu?

  25. Anonymous said on January 26, 2010

    Where is the actions menu?

  26. Anonymous said on January 26, 2010

    where is the actions menu? what is the Ribbon?

  27. Russ said on February 12, 2010

    Tom555, come on mate…. look across the top of your outlook… file, edit, view, insert, format, tools, ACTIONS, help…. Mate, I am hopless on a computer and I found that… then you post this five times… you dont want to look like the one before “actions”…. take it easy tiger

  28. Anonymous said on February 12, 2010

    YEAH BUT IF THEY READ THE ORIGINAL MESSAGE FIRST. IT AIN’T GONNA WORK! SO DON’T COUNT ON THIS FEATURE TO SAVE YOU. IT’S ESSENTIALLY
    A SAFETY NET MADE OF TISSUE PAPER!!!

  29. Anonymous said on May 6, 2010

    No action on my toolbar either. No recall either. Mine is a Year 2006. Please help.

  30. Anonymous said on May 6, 2010

    I have none of this on my computer either. No Actions: No Recall.

  31. Danielle McKnight said on May 27, 2010

    Thanks so much! This was EXTREMELY helpful!

  32. tufail said on June 3, 2010

    Does’nt work

  33. ziha said on June 11, 2010

    thank you very much…your explanation is short, clear, simple & easy to follow….

  34. Venkat G said on June 28, 2010

    hi friends
    i want to recall the sent mail, even he/she has already read that mail. is it possbile to recall the read mails.

    thanks
    venkat

  35. dani said on July 1, 2010

    Wow – amazing!! Thank you thank you thank you!!

  36. Dubbleb said on July 8, 2010

    I know what some folks are talking about when they say that the “Recall This Message” doesn’t show up in their version of Outlook. I thought the same thing until I realized that it was because I was viewing my message in the Preview fashion. If you locate your sent message as everyone has already described in “Sent Items” and Double Click on the message to fully open it, you should then see “Other Actions” on the Actions tool bar. This is where you should find the option to Recall your message – if it hasn’t already been opend that is. Good luck.

  37. Thomson Andreak said on July 16, 2010

    if you go to actions and select recall and replace unread message, rather than just a recall, the reader does not get prompted with a message asking if ok to retract the message. Thereby your message gets replaced accurately and the profile of the message isn’t raised to make them curious!!
    This doesn’t work for non-outlook users tho, i.e. dont use this for someone who has a gmail account as they will just get the new improved message, a recall message….and the originall wrong message – v. embarrassing!

  38. Ragoos3 said on July 19, 2010

    easy to understand..great

  39. C Bbanda said on July 27, 2010

    Thanks for the solution it really works…..only because it work with immediate recall so was wondering if there was a possibility of recalling a mail sent an hour or two ago.
    Thanks
    Charles Bbanda

  40. Mandar said on August 3, 2010

    Cool Man ;) Thanks

  41. Drchadnru17845 said on August 10, 2010

    Hai how to get action on toolbar, please help

  42. Srikanth_04u said on August 17, 2010

    very help fuul thanks

  43. rahul said on September 7, 2010

    thanks that was to the point.

  44. Abhidarshi Verma said on September 16, 2010

    thank you.

  45. Prue said on September 17, 2010

    Hi All,
    how do i setup tracking on a existing outlook account?

  46. Brumario said on October 2, 2010

    Thanks for this info. These details are really interesting. But I still have one doubt, are the notifications about the replacement really effective? and is there a possible way to verify if my recepients use Outlook?

  47. Kjcofran said on October 10, 2010

    I cannot see any emails I have sent in the sent column

  48. Sehradinesh said on January 10, 2011

    Don’t just open it in preview of the main window. Double click the message, it will open in a new window. Now you will see the required options.

  49. Bjgroves2002 said on February 11, 2011

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    Outlook: How to Recall a Sent Message
    Contributed by shamanstears October 7, 2006
    Tagged: Microsoft Outlook
    Have you ever clicked send on a message and then remembered that you forgot to attach that important file, or realized you put the wrong time down for a meeting? Outlook allows you the option of recalling a sent message. Here’s how:

    For Outlook 2003:

    1. Go to the Sent Items folder.

    2. Find the message you want recalled and double-click it.

    3. Go to the Actions menu and select Recall This Message.

    4. To recall the message:

    Select Delete unread copies of this message.
    (Note: the recipient needs to have Outlook opened for the message to be deleted)

    To replace the message:

    Select Delete unread copies and replace with a new message, click OK, and type your new message.

    To be notified about the success of the recall or replacement:

    Check the Tell me if recall succeeds or fails for each recipient check box.

    5. Click OK.

    UPDATE: How To Recall a Sent Message in Outlook 2007:

    1. Click on Sent Items.

    2. Find the message you want recalled and double-click it to open.

    3. Go to the Ribbon.

    4. In the Actions section, click Other Actions and select Recall This Message.

    5. Select Delete unread copies of this message.

    6. To be notified about the success of the recall, check the Tell me if recall succeeds or fails for each recipient checkbox.

    7. Click OK.
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    Anonymous 4 years ago

    :!: N.B. This works only within an organization or company. You cannot recall e-mail that you’ve sent to an outside, i.e., internet e-mail address.
    Flag 2 people liked this. Like ReplyReply Anonymous 3 years ago

    That’s very true. It doesn’t work well with universities either (except I guess if maybe they are using Exchange server).
    Flag Like ReplyReply oabo 2 years ago

    Thank you, please note that if the mail is read before you recall it will send a “failure to recall” email.
    Flag 1 person liked this. Like ReplyReply Vincenia 2 years ago

    I have tried to recall a message without success even the recipient open to Outlook (Note: the recipient needs to have Outlook opened for the message to be deleted).

    When the recipient clicks to recall message, the original email is still be opened to read. Why?

    Flag Like ReplyReply Anon 2 years ago

    Thanks :) just saved me embarrassment of not putting the subject into an email
    Flag Like ReplyReply Alice 2 years ago

    No action on my toolbar. Only More Actions?
    Unable to recall msg
    Flag 5 people liked this. Like ReplyReply kb2nd 9 months ago in reply to Alice

    No action on my toolbar either. No recall either. Mine is a Year 2006. Please help.
    Flag 4 people liked this. Like ReplyReply Sehradinesh 1 month ago in reply to Alice

    Don’t just open it in preview of the main window. Double click the message, it will open in a new window. Now you will see the required options.
    Flag Like ReplyReply Frieda 2 years ago

    GREAT THANKS!!!
    Flag Like ReplyReply Brian 2 years ago

    Many thanks quick and straight to the point
    Flag Like ReplyReply Marian Matei 1 year ago

    Thanks! Very usefull!
    Flag Like ReplyReply john 1 year ago

    This recall function only works when using MS Exchange email account. It does not work with other popular email providers such as hotmail, yahoo, gmail, etc…
    Flag Like ReplyReply Dave 1 year ago

    This entry made me look like a hero – thanks for those responsible.

    CEO calls in a big panic – I google, land on this entry, and shout out these instructions in the speakerphone.

    Sweet.
    Flag 1 person liked this. Like ReplyReply Randal Oulton 1 year ago

    It should be noted that this only works in very limited circumstances:

    - It will not work on email sent outside your organization;
    - It only works in internal systems and for those using Microsoft Outlook in that internal system;
    - On the recipient’s install of Outlook, in Tracking Options, Process requests and responses on arrival must be selected.
    - the original message must be unread.

    And, even if it is successful, the recipient gets informed that you deleted the message from his or her mailbox, perhaps making them even more curious than they would have been otherwise.

    More information: http://office.microsoft.com/en... (link valid as of March 2008)

    Flag 2 people liked this. Like ReplyReply Raven 1 year ago

    That was helpful.

    Thanks.
    Flag Like ReplyReply neil 1 year ago

    we have outlook 2007. Sent a message to 5 internal people – got back 2 successful, 2 failed, the other, zip, nada, nothing:-(( Any idea why not? We’d like to get it back – her mother died and we accidentally inculded her in the flower-note. No big deal, but it’s frustrating. She’s on the same server as us, same version as us, and no-way has she opened it up yet, but even if she had, we would have gotten the “failed” message. Didn’t do the replace option at first, but when we tried that route, still nothing from her email
    Flag Like ReplyReply Bandit 1 year ago in reply to neil

    Perhaps her Outlook has to be running in order for the Request to process. If she’s out of the office with the computer off, there is no client app running to process your recall request. I don’t get the impression that the recall is done at the server level.
    Flag Like ReplyReply Wafaa 1 year ago

    Thanks, that was very helpfull for me.
    Flag Like ReplyReply o1ive 1 year ago

    Recall will only be success full if:

    The recipient uses Outlook and Outlook is running
    The recipient’s mailbox must be open for the recall to success

    Message Recall will not be successful if:
    The recipient is not using Outlook
    The recipient is not logged on to the mail service provider
    The message has been read
    Flag 2 people liked this. Like ReplyReply kittenparty 1 year ago

    Solution: Think and re-read before you send.
    Flag Like ReplyReply syedalhaj 1 year ago

    i lost my IDpassword

    Flag 1 person liked this. Like ReplyReply Owais 1 year ago

    Thanks…Very usefull
    Flag Like ReplyReply ramsmba 1 year ago

    Simply Fantastic. No words to explain about this
    Flag 1 person liked this. Like ReplyReply zatti 1 year ago

    I think it works, but it sent a message to the recipient that I wanted to recall the email, then it asked the recipient for authorization for me to take it back.

    Still it is a good idea, if I do not mind telling the recipient and asking permission. :-)
    Flag Like ReplyReply rickscr 1 year ago in reply to zatti

    It may work to a degree but is really not all that effective. It sends a message to the recipeint basically asking them if its OK to recall the message. So naturally in most cases people will immediatley read the message in question. The sender ends up raising the profile of the message they wish to retract.
    Flag Like ReplyReply Tom555 1 year ago

    Where is the actions menu? (I can’t find it)
    Flag Like ReplyReply Tom555 1 year ago

    Where is the actions menu? I can’t find it
    Flag Like ReplyReply Tom555 1 year ago

    Where is the actions menu?
    Flag Like ReplyReply Tom555 1 year ago

    Where is the actions menu?
    Flag Like ReplyReply Tom555 1 year ago

    where is the actions menu? what is the Ribbon?
    Flag Like ReplyReply Russ 12 months ago in reply to Tom555

    Tom555, come on mate…. look across the top of your outlook… file, edit, view, insert, format, tools, ACTIONS, help…. Mate, I am hopless on a computer and I found that… then you post this five times… you dont want to look like the one before “actions”…. take it easy tiger
    Flag 1 person liked this. Like ReplyReply kb2nd 9 months ago in reply to Russ

    I have none of this on my computer either. No Actions: No Recall.
    Flag 3 people liked this. Like ReplyReply bobarino 12 months ago

    YEAH BUT IF THEY READ THE ORIGINAL MESSAGE FIRST. IT AIN’T GONNA WORK! SO DON’T COUNT ON THIS FEATURE TO SAVE YOU. IT’S ESSENTIALLY
    A SAFETY NET MADE OF TISSUE PAPER!!!
    Flag 3 people liked this. Like ReplyReply Danielle McKnight 8 months ago

    Thanks so much! This was EXTREMELY helpful!
    Flag Like ReplyReply tufail 8 months ago in reply to Danielle McKnight

    Does’nt work
    Flag Like ReplyReply ziha 8 months ago

    thank you very much…your explanation is short, clear, simple & easy to follow….
    Flag Like ReplyReply Venkat G 7 months ago

    hi friends
    i want to recall the sent mail, even he/she has already read that mail. is it possbile to recall the read mails.

    thanks
    venkat
    Flag 1 person liked this. Like ReplyReply dani 7 months ago

    Wow – amazing!! Thank you thank you thank you!!
    Flag Like ReplyReply Dubbleb 7 months ago

    I know what some folks are talking about when they say that the “Recall This Message” doesn’t show up in their version of Outlook. I thought the same thing until I realized that it was because I was viewing my message in the Preview fashion. If you locate your sent message as everyone has already described in “Sent Items” and Double Click on the message to fully open it, you should then see “Other Actions” on the Actions tool bar. This is where you should find the option to Recall your message – if it hasn’t already been opend that is. Good luck.
    Flag Like ReplyReply Thomson Andreak 7 months ago

    if you go to actions and select recall and replace unread message, rather than just a recall, the reader does not get prompted with a message asking if ok to retract the message. Thereby your message gets replaced accurately and the profile of the message isn’t raised to make them curious!!
    This doesn’t work for non-outlook users tho, i.e. dont use this for someone who has a gmail account as they will just get the new improved message, a recall message….and the originall wrong message – v. embarrassing!
    Flag 2 people liked this. Like ReplyReply Brumario 4 months ago in reply to Thomson Andreak

    Thanks for this info. These details are really interesting. But I still have one doubt, are the notifications about the replacement really effective? and is there a possible way to verify if my recepients use Outlook?
    Flag Like ReplyReply Ragoos3 6 months ago

    easy to understand..great
    Flag Like ReplyReply C Bbanda 6 months ago

    Thanks for the solution it really works…..only because it work with immediate recall so was wondering if there was a possibility of recalling a mail sent an hour or two ago.
    Thanks
    Charles Bbanda
    Flag Like ReplyReply Mandar 6 months ago

    Cool Man ;) Thanks
    Flag Like ReplyReply Drchadnru17845 6 months ago

    Hai how to get action on toolbar, please help
    Flag Like ReplyReply Srikanth_04u 5 months ago

    very help fuul thanks
    Flag Like ReplyReply rahul 5 months ago

    thanks that was to the point.
    Flag Like ReplyReply Abhidarshi Verma 4 months ago

    thank you.
    Flag Like ReplyReply Prue 4 months ago

    Hi All,
    how do i setup tracking on a existing outlook account?
    Flag Like ReplyReply Kjcofran 4 months ago

    I cannot see any emails I have sent in the sent column

    Flag Like ReplyReply Bjroves2002 0 minutes ago

    get off your ass, and get outside

  50. Johnkathen said on March 3, 2011

    thanks….

  51. Ashu said on March 14, 2011

    In some cases as the raised point is some users are not getting action or anything menu when the sent mail is opened in full mode also…so please tell how to enable viewing the Action in that mail to proceed further

  52. Fasilkhkk said on April 5, 2011

    bad luck, its not working

  53. HenrydeNorman said on April 8, 2011

    (1) Really, how do you recall a message??, I’ve done everything but can’t find ‘Actions’ on the toobar, menu or mini-menu.

    (2) How do I delete the chain of address on a message that’s been sent around when I forward it?. It adds unnecessary text and people can see who I get my info from!!!.

  54. Alexandru_steiner said on April 9, 2011

    Thank’s it work…!

  55. alexandru said on April 9, 2011

    what kind of outlook you have ? Atention you mast go on sent item end after you enter in action …!

  56. Tech007 said on June 16, 2011

    NOTE:
    - Outlook needs to be open for this to be processed.
    - If a user is quick enough they can get to the email and read it!!!!

    We’ve just had an instance where someone recalled  a message however the recipient was able to read the message. This is because Outlook was not quick enough in recalling the message. The user thought he was going mad when he’d lookes at an attachment and the email had disappeared.

    Looking at the Exchange server logs the email had been recalled many hours before due to USA / UK time zone.

    It’s not 100% perfect…….

  57. Tech007 said on June 16, 2011

    NOTE:
    - Outlook needs to be open for this to be processed.
    - If a user is quick enough they can get to the email and read it!!!!

    We’ve just had an instance where someone recalled  a message however the recipient was able to read the message. This is because Outlook was not quick enough in recalling the message. The user thought he was going mad when he’d lookes at an attachment and the email had disappeared.

    Looking at the Exchange server logs the email had been recalled many hours before due to USA / UK time zone.

    It’s not 100% perfect…….

  58. Suri said on July 28, 2011

    very usefull

  59. Senthamil said on November 14, 2011

    Where I can see Ribbon? Please help. Im using Outlook 2007.

  60. shabir said on January 9, 2012

    what about outlook 2007

  61. Yash said on January 11, 2012

    How to call back an important email which has already been sent and read by a wrong recipient.

    TOP URGENT

 

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