Send & Receive Issues

How to Fix Wrong From Address in Outlook on the Web

Steven Parker Oct 21, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is experiencing an issue where Outlook on the web displays an incorrect email address in the "From" field when composing or replying to emails.

How to Fix the Wrong "From" Address in Outlook on the Web

Product: Outlook on the Web
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Composing or replying to an email using Outlook on the web instead of the desktop client.
Observed behavior: An unfamiliar or incorrect email address appears in the "From" field, and the user cannot change the default address, whereas the Outlook desktop application functions normally.

Before you start

Ensure you are logged into the correct Microsoft 365 account on the web and verify whether your IT administrator has granted you the necessary "Send As" permissions for any shared mailboxes.

Solution 1Recommended

Select the Correct Address from the Drop-down List

Manually select the appropriate sending address if multiple aliases are configured on your account.

If your Microsoft 365 account is linked to multiple aliases or shared mailboxes, Outlook on the web may default to the primary address. You can easily switch this for individual emails by exposing and using the From field.

Start a new message

Open Outlook on the web and click "New message" to begin composing an email.

Show the From field

If the "From" field is not visible at the top of your message draft, click the three horizontal dots (Options) located at the top of the message pane and select "Show From".

Review available addresses

Click directly on the "From" button to open a drop-down menu that lists all the email addresses associated with your account.

Select the correct alias

Click the correct email address you want to use for this specific message. The email will now be sent from this chosen address.

Select the Correct Address from the Drop-down List

Changing Defaults Permanently: Selecting a different address manually applies only to the current email. To change your default sending address permanently, you will likely need to adjust your primary alias settings or contact your administrator.

Solution 2

Contact Microsoft 365 Administrator for Permissions

Resolve underlying permission or alias configuration issues that prevent the correct address from being available.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Outlook desktop use the correct address but Outlook web doesn't?

Outlook on the web relies directly on server-side Microsoft 365 settings, such as primary aliases and account defaults, which might sync differently or require manual selection compared to a locally configured Outlook desktop profile.

How do I make the "From" field permanently visible in Outlook on the web?

Go to Settings (the gear icon) > View all Outlook settings > Mail > Compose and reply. Scroll down to the Message format section, check the box for "Always show From", and save your changes.

What does the "Send As" permission mean in Microsoft 365?

"Send As" is an administrative permission that allows a user to send emails from a shared mailbox, distribution list, or another user's email address as if they were the direct owner of that address.

Can I change my default sending address in Outlook on the web myself?

If your personal account has multiple aliases, you can select a different default "From" address in your account sync settings. However, for managed work or school accounts, this configuration is often locked and requires an IT administrator to update the primary alias.

Outlook & Email Problems