Send & Receive Issues

How to Automatically Delay Outlook Emails Sent Outside Work Hours

Phi Hung Vo Oct 21, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to configure Outlook to send messages immediately during normal working hours but automatically hold and delay any messages drafted outside of that schedule.

How to Automatically Delay Outlook Emails Sent Outside Work Hours

Product: Microsoft Outlook
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Drafting emails during evenings or weekends without immediately sending them, to avoid disturbing recipients outside of standard business hours.
Observed behavior: Outlook and Microsoft 365 lack a built-in toggle to automatically delay all out-of-hours messages while allowing working-hour messages to send immediately.

Before you start

Confirm whether you are using a Microsoft Exchange account or an IMAP/POP account, as this dictates whether Outlook needs to remain open for delayed emails to send.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Outlook's Manual Scheduled Delivery Feature

Since an automatic off-hours delay setting is not natively available, use the manual 'Delay Delivery' option for individual emails drafted after work.

While Microsoft 365 does not automate schedule-based sending based on your working hours globally, the manual Delay Delivery feature allows precise control over exactly when an individual message leaves your Outbox.

Compose your email message

Open Outlook, click on 'New Email' in the Home ribbon, and draft your message as you normally would.

Access Delivery Options

In the new message window, navigate to the 'Options' tab on the ribbon and click the 'Delay Delivery' button located in the More Options group.

Set the delivery time

In the Properties dialog box, locate the 'Delivery options' section. Check the box for 'Do not deliver before' and select the date and time of the next business morning.

Send to Outbox

Click 'Close' on the Properties window, then click 'Send' on your email. The message will remain in your Outbox folder until the specified delivery time is reached.

Use Outlook's Manual Scheduled Delivery Feature

Application connection requirement: If you use an Exchange account, you can close Outlook and the email will still send. If you use a POP3 or IMAP account, you must leave Outlook open until the delivery time.

Solution 2

Submit a Feature Request via the Microsoft Feedback Portal

Advocate for a native automatic off-hours delay feature directly with Microsoft developers.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set an Outlook rule to delay all emails by a few minutes?

Yes. You can create a blanket rule by navigating to File > Manage Rules & Alerts > New Rule. Select 'Apply rule on messages I send', leave the conditions blank to apply to all messages, and check the action 'defer delivery by a number of minutes' (up to 120 minutes).

Will my delayed emails still send if my computer is turned off?

It depends on your email account type. If you are using a Microsoft Exchange server account, the server handles the scheduled delivery, so your PC can be off. If you are using IMAP or POP3 (like Gmail or Yahoo), your computer must be awake and the Outlook application must be open.

Are there third-party tools that automate delaying off-hours emails?

Yes. While native Outlook lacks this feature, there are several third-party Outlook add-ins and enterprise solutions available that automatically monitor your working hours and hold late-night or weekend drafts until the next business day.

Outlook & Email Problems