Fix: Cannot Reply or Forward Sent Emails in Outlook for Mac
Question details
Users are unable to reply to or forward emails from the Sent Mail folder in Outlook for Mac, encountering an error stating the message is only partially downloaded.
- Product
- Microsoft Outlook
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Attempting to reply to or forward an existing email from the Sent Mail folder, typically occurring after migrating to a new Mac or switching to the New Outlook interface.
- Observed behavior
- Outlook blocks the action and displays the error message: 'Can’t Create New Message. The original message is partially downloaded.'
Ensure your Mac is connected to a stable internet connection so Outlook can properly communicate with your mail server and fully sync your mailbox folders.
Update Outlook for Mac to the Latest Version
Microsoft regularly releases updates to patch known syncing and downloading bugs in Outlook.
Running an outdated version of Outlook can cause synchronization conflicts with the server, leading to partially downloaded messages in your Sent folder. Checking for updates is the quickest way to resolve known application bugs.
Launch Microsoft Outlook on your Mac. Navigate to the top menu bar, click on 'Help', and select 'Check for Updates'.
If an update is available in the AutoUpdate tool, click the 'Update' button and follow the on-screen prompts to download and install the latest version.
Once the update is complete, close Outlook completely and reopen it. Navigate to your Sent Mail folder and attempt to reply or forward the message again.
Contact Microsoft Support Within Outlook
If updating does not resolve the error, contacting support directly allows them to collect specific diagnostic logs to investigate the syncing failure.
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- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the Mac version of WPS Office.
- 2. Install the Application: Open the downloaded file and follow the simple installation instructions to set up the software on your Mac.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'the original message is partially downloaded' mean in Outlook?
This error means that Outlook has only synced the header information of the email (like the sender and subject) from the server, but has not yet downloaded the actual body content or attachments. Without the full content, Outlook cannot process replies or forwards.
Will switching to Legacy Outlook fix this sent mail issue?
In some cases, reverting to the old Outlook interface can act as a temporary workaround. You can do this by going to the Outlook menu or Help menu and unchecking 'New Outlook'. However, keeping your software updated is the recommended long-term solution.
Why did my emails stop syncing properly after moving to a new Mac?
When migrating data to a new Mac using tools like Migration Assistant, local cache files can sometimes become corrupted or incomplete. Outlook requires time to rebuild its database and fully resync your mailbox folders from the email server.
