When you move from Classic Outlook to the new Outlook for Windows, the Schedule Send feature is no longer in the same location. The ability to delay delivery of an email or schedule it for a specific time is still available, but the button and menu path have changed. Many users report confusion because the familiar options under Options or Tags are missing in the new interface. This article explains exactly where the Schedule Send button is located in new Outlook and how to use it.
Key Takeaways: Schedule Send in New Outlook
- Send button drop-down arrow: Click the arrow next to the Send button to access the Schedule Send option directly from the compose window.
- Delay Delivery vs Schedule Send: Classic Outlook uses a separate Delay Delivery dialog; new Outlook uses a simple time picker integrated into the Send menu.
- Recurring scheduled sends: New Outlook does not support recurring delayed sends natively; use a third-party add-in or a workaround with rules in Classic Outlook.
Why the Schedule Send Location Changed in New Outlook
Classic Outlook placed the Delay Delivery option under the Options tab in the compose window. This button opened a separate dialog where you set the delivery time. New Outlook uses a simplified ribbon that consolidates send controls. The Schedule Send feature is now a sub-option of the Send button itself. Microsoft redesigned the interface to reduce clutter and make common actions like scheduling more accessible from the main compose toolbar. The feature works the same way but is triggered by a drop-down menu instead of a dedicated tab.
Steps to Schedule a Send in New Outlook
Follow these steps to schedule an email in new Outlook for Windows. The process works identically in Outlook on the web and the new Outlook desktop app.
- Compose your email
Open a new message or reply to an existing thread. Write your subject and body as usual. - Locate the Send button
In the compose window, look at the top-left corner of the message area. You will see a single Send button with a small down-arrow on its right side. - Click the drop-down arrow
Click the arrow next to the Send button. Do not click the Send button itself or the email will be sent immediately. - Select Schedule Send
From the drop-down menu, choose Schedule Send. A dialog box appears showing a default suggested time, usually one hour later. - Set your delivery time
Use the date and time pickers to choose the exact minute, hour, day, month, and year you want the email to be sent. You can also select from preset options like Tomorrow morning or Next Monday. - Confirm and send
Click the Send button in the dialog. The email is moved to the Outbox folder and stays there until the scheduled time. The compose window closes normally.
Common Issues After Switching to New Outlook
Schedule Send option is grayed out or missing
This happens when the email account is configured as a POP3 account. Schedule Send requires an Exchange, Microsoft 365, or IMAP account. POP3 accounts do not support delayed delivery because the server cannot hold messages. To check your account type, go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings. If the account type is POP3, you cannot use Schedule Send. Switch to an IMAP or Exchange account to enable the feature.
Scheduled email stays in Outbox and does not send
The most common cause is that Outlook is not running at the scheduled time. Schedule Send relies on Outlook being open and connected to the internet. If you close Outlook before the delivery time, the email remains in Outbox and sends the next time you open Outlook. To avoid this, keep Outlook running in the background or use the Send Immediately When Connected setting. Go to File > Options > Mail and ensure Send Immediately When Connected is enabled. Also check that your internet connection is stable.
Cannot schedule a recurring send like a daily report
New Outlook does not offer a built-in option to schedule the same email to be sent repeatedly. Classic Outlook had this capability through rules and delayed delivery. To achieve recurring scheduled sends in new Outlook, use a third-party add-in such as Boomerang or Mixmax. Alternatively, create a rule in Classic Outlook that delays delivery for recurring messages and then switch to new Outlook. Another workaround is to use Microsoft Power Automate to trigger a scheduled email from your Outlook account.
Classic Outlook vs New Outlook: Schedule Send Comparison
| Item | Classic Outlook | New Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| Location of feature | Options tab > Delay Delivery | Send button drop-down > Schedule Send |
| Dialog type | Modal dialog with date and time fields plus rule options | Inline time picker with preset suggestions |
| Account support | Exchange, IMAP, POP3 (with delayed delivery rule) | Exchange, Microsoft 365, IMAP only (POP3 not supported) |
| Recurring schedule | Possible via rules and delayed delivery | Not natively supported |
| Keyboard shortcut | Alt + S then Alt + D (customizable) | No dedicated shortcut; use Alt + S to open Send menu |
You can now locate and use the Schedule Send feature in new Outlook by clicking the arrow next to the Send button. The feature works with Exchange and IMAP accounts but not with POP3 accounts. If you need to schedule a recurring email, consider using Microsoft Power Automate or a third-party add-in. To access Schedule Send faster, use the keyboard shortcut Alt + S to open the Send menu directly from the compose window.