Recall or Replace an Email Message

Overview

With message recall, a message that you sent is retrieved from the mailboxes of the recipients who haven’t yet opened it. You can also substitute a replacement message. For example, if you forgot to include an attachment, you can try to retract the message, and then send a replacement message that has the attachment.

To Recall and/or Replace a Message

  1. In the folder pane on the left of the Outlook window, choose the Sent Items folder.
  2. Open the message that you want to recall. You must double-click to open the message. Selecting the message so it appears in the reading pane won't allow you to recall the message.
  3. From the Message tab, select Actions > Recall This Message.

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  1. Click Delete unread copies of this message or Delete unread copies and replace with a new message, and then click OK.

Recall This Message Text

  1. If you’re sending a replacement message, compose the message, and then click Send.

The success or failure of a message recall depends on the recipients' settings in Outlook. Success is not guaranteed. For detailed information about these scenarios, please check out this Microsoft support page.