After switching from Classic Outlook to the new Outlook for Windows, you may notice that the familiar Resend Message command is no longer visible in the ribbon or right-click menu. This feature lets you resend a sent email as a new message, which is useful for correcting a mistake or sending the same content to a different recipient. The new Outlook uses a redesigned interface where some classic commands are moved, renamed, or hidden. This article shows you exactly where to find the Resend Message command in new Outlook and how to use it.
Key Takeaways: Finding and Using Resend Message in New Outlook
- Sent Items folder > Open email > Ctrl+F: Use the Forward shortcut on a sent email to trigger the Resend option in the new Outlook interface.
- Right-click a sent email > Forward: Access the same Resend path by right-clicking the message in the Sent Items list and choosing Forward.
- Resend vs Forward: Resend creates a brand-new message with the original content and attachments, while Forward includes the original headers and adds FW: to the subject.
Why the Resend Command Moved in New Outlook
Classic Outlook displayed the Resend Message command in the Move section of the ribbon when you opened a sent email. The new Outlook for Windows uses a simplified ribbon that removes many legacy buttons to reduce clutter. Microsoft moved the Resend functionality behind the Forward command because both actions create a new message from the original email. When you forward a sent email, new Outlook presents you with a dialog asking whether you want to resend the message as a copy or forward it with headers. This design change means you no longer have a dedicated Resend button, but the feature still works through the Forward action.
The new Outlook also changes how it handles attachments during resend. In Classic Outlook, resending preserved all attachments automatically. In new Outlook, when you use the Resend option from the Forward dialog, the system retains attachments as well. The key difference is that you must choose the correct option in the dialog that appears after you click Forward on a sent email.
Steps to Resend a Message in New Outlook
Follow these steps to resend a sent email in new Outlook. The process works the same in Outlook for Windows 11 and Windows 10.
- Open the Sent Items folder
In the folder pane on the left side of the new Outlook window, click Sent Items. This folder contains all emails you have sent from this account. - Locate the email you want to resend
Scroll through the list or use the search box at the top of the message list. Type a keyword from the subject or a recipient name to find the email quickly. - Open the email or right-click it
Double-click the email to open it in a separate window, or right-click the email in the message list. Both methods give you access to the Forward command. - Click Forward or press Ctrl+F
In the open email window, click Forward in the ribbon at the top. If you right-clicked the email in the list, choose Forward from the context menu. You can also select the email and press Ctrl+F on your keyboard. - Choose Resend from the dialog that appears
New Outlook displays a dialog with two options: Resend this message and Forward this message. Select Resend this message. This option creates a new email with the original subject, body, and attachments. It does not add FW: to the subject line. - Edit the recipients and content as needed
The new message window opens with the original To, Cc, and Bcc fields populated. You can add or remove recipients, edit the body text, or change attachments. Make any corrections or updates before sending. - Click Send
When you are ready, click the Send button in the new message window. Outlook sends the email as a new message. The original sent email remains unchanged in your Sent Items folder.
New Outlook Resend Message Limitations and Workarounds
The Resend feature in new Outlook works well for most scenarios, but there are a few limitations you should know about. Understanding these helps you avoid surprises when resending messages.
Resend Does Not Appear in the Ribbon or Right-Click Menu
New Outlook does not have a dedicated Resend button anywhere in the interface. You must always use the Forward command to trigger the Resend dialog. If you click Forward and do not see the Resend option, make sure you are working with a sent email from the Sent Items folder. The Resend dialog only appears for emails in Sent Items, not for emails in other folders like Inbox or Archive.
Resend May Not Work for Emails Sent From a Shared Mailbox
If you send emails from a shared mailbox or a delegate mailbox, the Resend feature may behave differently. When you open a sent email from a shared mailbox and click Forward, the Resend dialog might not appear. In this case, manually create a new email and copy the content from the original message. Alternatively, switch to Classic Outlook temporarily if you need to resend from a shared mailbox frequently.
Resend Preserves the Original Sent Date in the Message Headers
When you resend a message using the Resend option, the new email includes the original sent date and time in the message headers. The recipient sees the original date, not the date you resent the email. This can be confusing if you are resending a message days or weeks later. If you want the recipient to see the current date, create a new email from scratch instead of using Resend.
Resend Does Not Work With Encrypted or Digitally Signed Emails
If the original email was encrypted or digitally signed, the Resend option may not be available. New Outlook cannot resend encrypted messages because the encryption keys are tied to the original send operation. In this case, compose a new email manually and attach the original message as a file if needed.
Resend Message in Classic Outlook vs New Outlook
| Item | Classic Outlook | New Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| Button location | Move section in the ribbon when a sent email is open | No dedicated button; accessed via Forward or Ctrl+F |
| Trigger method | Click Resend Message in the ribbon | Click Forward, then choose Resend from a dialog |
| Keyboard shortcut | No default shortcut | Ctrl+F then select Resend in the dialog |
| Attachment handling | Preserved automatically | Preserved when Resend option is selected |
| Subject line behavior | Original subject with no prefix | Original subject with no prefix when Resend is chosen |
| Dialog appearance | No dialog; message opens directly | Dialog asks Resend or Forward each time |
The main difference is the extra dialog step in new Outlook. Classic Outlook opens the resend message immediately. New Outlook requires you to confirm your intent each time you forward a sent email. This extra step prevents accidental resends but adds one click to the process.
If you prefer the classic behavior and want to skip the dialog, you can switch back to Classic Outlook. However, Microsoft plans to replace Classic Outlook with new Outlook eventually. Learning the new workflow now saves time later.
You can now resend emails in new Outlook by using the Forward command and selecting the Resend option in the dialog. Remember to check the recipient list and attachments before sending. If you work with shared mailboxes or encrypted messages, consider keeping Classic Outlook installed as a fallback. For daily use, the Ctrl+F shortcut followed by a single click on Resend is faster than navigating the ribbon.