When you compose a new email in Outlook, the Bcc field is hidden by default. You have to click Options > Show Bcc or press Alt + B each time you start a new message. This wastes time if you send multiple emails that require blind carbon copy recipients. The cause is a per-message setting that Outlook does not remember across sessions. This article shows you how to make the Bcc field appear automatically in every new message you compose in Outlook for Windows.
Key Takeaways: Make Bcc Visible in Every New Outlook Message
- Outlook Options > Mail > Messages > Show Bcc box in new messages: Enables the Bcc field globally for all new emails you compose
- Outlook Options > Mail > Replies and forwards > Show Bcc box in replies and forwards: Adds the Bcc field when you reply to or forward an email
- Alt + B keyboard shortcut: Toggles the Bcc field on or off in the current message window when you need it temporarily
Feature Overview: How Bcc Visibility Works in Outlook
The Bcc field in Outlook is a per-message setting. Each time you open a new email composition window, Outlook checks the default template and decides whether to show the Bcc field. The default template does not include it. You can change this behavior by modifying two settings in Outlook Options. These settings control the default template used for new messages and for replies or forwards separately. No add-ins or registry edits are required.
The setting is stored in the Outlook profile for the current user. It applies to all email accounts configured in that profile. If you use multiple Outlook profiles, you must apply the setting in each profile. The change takes effect immediately for all new messages you compose after applying it. Messages already open in composition windows are not affected until you close and reopen them.
Steps to Enable the Bcc Field for All New Messages
- Open Outlook Options
In Outlook, click the File tab in the ribbon. In the backstage view, click Options near the bottom of the left column. The Outlook Options dialog box opens. - Navigate to the Mail section
In the Outlook Options dialog, click Mail in the left navigation pane. This section contains message composition settings. - Enable Bcc for new messages
Scroll down to the Send messages section. Check the box labeled Show Bcc box in new messages. This setting applies to every new email you compose from scratch. - Enable Bcc for replies and forwards (optional)
In the same section, check the box labeled Show Bcc box in replies and forwards if you want the Bcc field to appear when you reply to or forward an email. This is independent of the new messages setting. - Apply and test
Click OK to close the Outlook Options dialog. Create a new email by pressing Ctrl + N or clicking New Email. The Bcc field should appear above the Subject line. If it does not, close Outlook completely and reopen it to force the setting to load.
Common Issues and Limitations
Bcc field does not appear after enabling the setting
If you checked the option but the Bcc field is still hidden, Outlook may be using a custom template or form. Go to File > Options > Mail and look at the Compose messages in this format setting. If it is set to Plain Text or Rich Text, the Bcc setting still works. If you use a custom stationery or theme, reset to the default by clicking Stationery and Fonts and selecting Use the default theme. Then restart Outlook.
Bcc field disappears after an Outlook update
Microsoft occasionally resets certain user settings during feature updates. After a major Outlook update, check the two Bcc checkboxes in Options again. They may have been unchecked. Re-enable them and restart Outlook. This is a known behavior with Outlook version 2302 and later.
Bcc recipients are visible to other recipients in replies
When you reply to a message that was sent to you via Bcc, the original sender is not included in the reply. However, if you manually add the original sender to the To or Cc field, all recipients can see that address. The Bcc field itself does not expose addresses to other recipients. The only risk is human error when copying addresses between fields.
Bcc field is not available in Outlook on the web
The method described in this article applies only to the Outlook desktop client for Windows. In Outlook on the web, you must click the Bcc link in the compose pane each time. There is no persistent setting for the web version. If you need Bcc to be always visible in the browser, consider using the desktop client instead.
| Item | Outlook Desktop (Windows) | Outlook on the Web |
|---|---|---|
| Bcc always visible setting | Yes — via Options > Mail checkboxes | No — must toggle each message |
| Setting applies to new messages | Yes — separate checkbox | N/A |
| Setting applies to replies/forwards | Yes — separate checkbox | N/A |
| Keyboard shortcut | Alt + B toggles Bcc in current message | No keyboard shortcut |
| Requires restart after change | Recommended but not always required | N/A |
Outlook for Mac does not have a persistent Bcc setting in Options. Mac users must click the Bcc button in the message header each time. The Alt + B shortcut works in Outlook for Mac as well.
Now you can keep the Bcc field visible in every message you compose. The two checkboxes in Outlook Options give you separate control for new messages and for replies or forwards. If you ever need to hide Bcc temporarily, press Alt + B in the message window without changing the global setting. For advanced users, consider creating a quick step that automatically adds a Bcc recipient based on a rule, though that requires the full Bcc field to be enabled first.