New Outlook Schedule Send: How It Works for Classic Outlook Users

If you use classic Outlook and recently opened the new Outlook for Windows, you may notice the Schedule Send feature works differently. In classic Outlook, you delay delivery of a single message using a button in the ribbon or a rule. In the new Outlook, Schedule Send is a built-in option that lets you pick a specific date and time before you hit send. This article explains exactly how Schedule Send works in the new Outlook, how it compares to the classic version, and how classic users can adapt to the change.

How Schedule Send Works in the New Outlook

The new Outlook for Windows includes a native Schedule Send feature that does not require rules or add-ins. When you compose a message, you can click the dropdown arrow next to the Send button and select Schedule Send. A dialog opens where you pick a date and a time down to the minute. The message is saved as a draft and sent automatically at the chosen moment. You can also choose from preset options such as Send in 1 hour, Send in 2 hours, Send tomorrow morning, or Send next Monday. The feature works for email messages only, not for calendar items or meeting requests.

Prerequisites for Using Schedule Send

You must be signed in to the new Outlook with a Microsoft 365 work or school account, or a personal Microsoft account. The feature is available in the new Outlook for Windows version 1.2021 or later. If you use an Exchange on-premises mailbox, Schedule Send may not appear. The feature also requires an internet connection because the message is stored on the server until the scheduled time.

Where Scheduled Messages Are Stored

In the new Outlook, a scheduled message is placed in the Drafts folder with a clock icon. It stays there until the delivery time. You can open the draft to edit the message, change the schedule, or cancel the send. The message is not moved to the Sent Items folder until after it is actually sent. This differs from classic Outlook, where a delayed message waits in the Outbox folder.

Steps to Schedule a Send in the New Outlook

Follow these steps to schedule a message in the new Outlook for Windows.

1. Compose a new message
   Open the new Outlook and click New Mail. Write your message, add recipients, and include a subject line.
2. Click the Send dropdown arrow
   Do not click the Send button directly. Instead, click the small arrow next to the Send button in the message window. A menu appears.
3. Select Schedule Send
   From the menu, choose Schedule Send. A dialog box opens with a calendar and time picker.
4. Choose a date and time
   Pick the date using the calendar control. Then select the hour and minute from the dropdown lists. The time is based on your local time zone.
5. Click Schedule Send
   Press the blue Schedule Send button in the dialog. The message window closes and the message appears in the Drafts folder with a clock icon.

How to Cancel or Change a Scheduled Message

1. Open the Drafts folder
   Go to the folder pane on the left and click Drafts. Look for the message with the clock icon.
2. Open the scheduled message
   Double-click the message to open it. The message window shows a banner at the top that says This message is scheduled.
3. Click Cancel Send or Change Schedule
   In the banner, click Cancel Send to unschedule the message. It becomes a normal draft. Click Change Schedule to pick a different date and time.

How Classic Outlook Handles Delayed Delivery

Classic Outlook does not have a Schedule Send button. Instead, it uses a feature called Delay Delivery. You set a Do not deliver before date and time in the message properties. The message is then held in the Outbox folder until the specified time. Classic Outlook must be running and connected to the mail server for the message to go out. If you close Outlook before the delivery time, the message stays in the Outbox and is sent when you reopen Outlook and click Send/Receive.

Steps to Delay Delivery in Classic Outlook

1. Compose a message
   Open classic Outlook and create a new email. Fill in the To, Subject, and body fields.
2. Open the Properties dialog
   Click the Options tab in the ribbon. In the More Options group, click the Delay Delivery button. The Properties dialog opens.
3. Set the Do not deliver before time
   Under Delivery options, check the box for Do not deliver before. Set the date and time using the dropdown lists. Click Close.
4. Send the message
   Click the Send button. The message moves to the Outbox folder. It stays there until the delivery time. Keep Outlook open.

Common Issues When Switching from Classic to New Outlook

I Scheduled a Message but It Did Not Send

This happens if the new Outlook loses internet connection before the delivery time. The message remains in the Drafts folder as a draft with the schedule attached. When the connection is restored, the message sends at the next possible time. To avoid this, check that your device stays online until the scheduled time. Also verify that the scheduled time has not already passed. If you set a time in the past, the message sends immediately.

I Cannot Find the Schedule Send Option

The Schedule Send option appears only when you compose a new message. It is not available for replies or forwarded messages. If you still do not see the dropdown arrow next to the Send button, update the new Outlook to the latest version. Go to File > Office Account > Update Options > Update Now. If you use an Exchange on-premises mailbox, the feature may be disabled by your administrator.

Scheduled Messages Are Not in the Outbox

In the new Outlook, scheduled messages are stored in the Drafts folder, not the Outbox. This is a key difference from classic Outlook. The Outbox in the new Outlook holds only messages that are actively being sent. A scheduled message is not moved to Outbox until the delivery time. If you look for it in Outbox, you will not find it. Always check the Drafts folder.

Schedule Send in New Outlook vs Delay Delivery in Classic Outlook

Item	New Outlook Schedule Send	Classic Outlook Delay Delivery
Where message is stored	Drafts folder with clock icon	Outbox folder
How to set time	Dropdown from Send button	Options tab > Delay Delivery
Preset options	1 hour, 2 hours, tomorrow morning, next Monday	None
Custom date and time	Yes, down to the minute	Yes, down to the minute
Outlook must stay open	No, message is server-based	Yes, until delivery time
Available for replies	No	Yes
Requires internet	Yes	Only at send time

Classic Outlook users can now use Schedule Send in the new Outlook without writing rules or keeping the app open. The feature stores messages on the server, so you can close Outlook and the message still sends at the chosen time. To get the most out of this feature, pair it with the Send Later add-in for classic Outlook if you are not ready to switch. For daily use, try the Send tomorrow morning preset to avoid sending emails outside business hours.