Recall or replace an email message that you sent

The recall feature in Microsoft Outlook tries to stop delivery and, optionally, replace an email message that you have already sent to another Microsoft Exchange Server user within your organization. Message recall is available after you click Send and then realize that you forgot to attach a file, include information in the message, or want to revise what was originally sent. You can’t recall messages sent to email addresses outside your organization.

Note:  A Microsoft Exchange Server account is required.

Recall a message

To recall a message without sending a revised message, do the following:

1.   In Mail, in the Navigation Pane, click Sent Items.
2. Open the message that you want to recall.
3. On the Message tab, in the Move group, click Actions, and then click Recall This Message.
4. Click Delete unread copies of this message.

Note:  If you don’t see the Message tab, make sure that you have opened a sent message as described in steps 1 and 2.

Note:   If you are sending the message to many people, you may want to clear the Tell me if recall succeeds or fails for each recipient check box.

Recall and replace a message

In addition to trying to recall a message, you can send a replacement message. For example, if you forgot to include an attachment, you can try to recall the message, and then send a replacement message that has the attachment. The original message is removed from the mailboxes of the recipients who have not yet opened it, and then is replaced with the updated message.

To recall a message and then send a revised message, do the following:

1.  In Mail, in the Navigation Pane, click Sent Items.
2. Open the message that you want to recall and replace.
3. On the Message tab, in the Move group, click Actions, and then click Recall This Message. 
4. Click Delete unread copies and replace with a new message.Note:   If you are sending the message to many people, you may want to clear the Tell me if recall succeeds or fails for each recipient check box.
5. Click OK, and then update the new message. You can also remove or add file attachments.
6. Click Send.