How To Enable Or Disable Autosave Emails In Outlook

Outlook can automatically save drafts of your emails, but you may want to control when this happens. This guide covers exactly how to enable or disable autosave emails in outlook across different versions and platforms. You’ll find step-by-step instructions, troubleshooting tips, and answers to common questions.

Autosave is a helpful feature that prevents losing your work. However, some users find it distracting or prefer manual control. Let’s walk through the process together.

Understanding Outlook Autosave For Emails

Autosave automatically saves draft emails to your Drafts folder at set intervals. This protects you from accidental closure or crashes. The default interval is usually 3 minutes, but you can adjust or disable it entirely.

Different Outlook versions have slightly different menus. We’ll cover Outlook for Microsoft 365, Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, and Outlook on the web.

Why You Might Want To Change Autosave Settings

Some users disable autosave to avoid cluttering their Drafts folder. Others enable it for peace of mind. You might also want to increase the save interval if you find autosave interrupts your flow.

Prevent accidental data loss
Reduce Drafts folder clutter
Improve performance on slower computers
Gain more control over your workflow

Here are the exact steps for the desktop version of Outlook. These instructions work for Outlook 2013, 2016, 2019, and Microsoft 365.

Open Outlook on your computer.
Click on the File tab in the top-left corner.
Select Options from the menu.
In the Outlook Options window, click Mail on the left sidebar.
Scroll down to the Save messages section.
You’ll see an option labeled AutoSave items that have not been sent after this many minutes.
To disable autosave, uncheck the box next to this option.
To enable or adjust, check the box and set the number of minutes (1 to 99).
Click OK to save your changes.

That’s it. Your new setting will apply immediately to all new emails you compose.

Adjusting Autosave Interval For Existing Drafts

Changing the interval only affects emails you start after the change. Existing drafts already saved will remain in your Drafts folder. You can delete them manually if needed.

If you want to change the interval for a draft you’re currently working on, close and reopen it. The new setting will then apply.

Disabling Autosave In Outlook For Mac

Outlook for Mac has a similar but slightly different process. Here’s how to manage autosave on macOS.

Open Outlook for Mac.
Click on Outlook in the top menu bar.
Select Preferences.
Under Email, click Composing.
Look for the option Automatically save unsent messages.
Uncheck the box to disable autosave.
To enable, check the box and set the interval in minutes.
Close the Preferences window to save.

Mac users should note that the autosave feature works similarly to Windows. The drafts are stored locally unless you have an Exchange or IMAP account.

Managing Autosave In Outlook On The Web

Outlook on the web (OWA) also autosaves drafts automatically. However, the settings are more limited. You cannot disable autosave completely in the web version.

Instead, you can adjust how drafts are handled. Here’s what you can do:

Drafts are saved automatically every few seconds.
You cannot change the interval or turn it off.
Drafts appear in the Drafts folder on the left sidebar.
You can delete drafts manually if you don’t want them.

If you need full control, consider using the desktop version of Outlook.

Why Web Version Doesn’t Allow Disabling

Microsoft designed the web version for simplicity and reliability. Autosave is always on to prevent data loss in case of browser crashes or network issues. This is a deliberate choice for user safety.

Some third-party browser extensions claim to block autosave, but these are not officially supported and may cause problems.

Enabling Autosave For Specific Accounts Only

Outlook allows you to manage autosave per email account in some versions. This is useful if you have multiple accounts and want different settings.

Go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings.
Select the account you want to modify.
Click Change.
Look for More Settings.
Navigate to the Outgoing Server or Advanced tab.
Some versions have a checkbox for Save sent items in this account’s Sent Items folder.
This does not directly control autosave drafts, but it affects how drafts are saved.
For per-account autosave control, you may need to use a macro or add-in.

Unfortunately, Microsoft does not offer a built-in way to set different autosave intervals per account. The setting is global.

Using Registry Editor To Force Autosave Settings

Advanced users can modify the Windows Registry to enforce autosave settings. This is useful for IT administrators or users who need precise control.

Warning: Editing the registry can cause serious problems if done incorrectly. Back up your registry first.

Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\Preferences
For Outlook 2013, use 15.0 instead of 16.0.
Find the DWORD value named AutoSave.
If it doesn’t exist, create a new DWORD (32-bit) and name it AutoSave.
Set the value to 0 to disable autosave, or 1 to enable it.
To set the interval, find or create AutoSaveInterval and set the value in minutes.
Close the Registry Editor and restart Outlook.

This method overrides the Outlook Options settings. Use it with caution.

Troubleshooting Autosave Issues

Sometimes autosave doesn’t work as expected. Here are common problems and solutions.

Autosave Not Saving Drafts

Check if you have enough storage space on your computer or server.
Verify that your Outlook data file (.pst or .ost) is not corrupted.
Run the Inbox Repair Tool (scanpst.exe) if needed.
Ensure you have write permissions to the Drafts folder.

Drafts Folder Overflowing

Manually delete old drafts you no longer need.
Increase the autosave interval to reduce frequency.
Disable autosave if you prefer manual saving.
Use the Clean Up tool in Outlook to remove duplicates.

Autosave Interfering With Workflow

Increase the interval to 10 or 15 minutes.
Disable autosave and manually save with Ctrl+S (Windows) or Command+S (Mac).
Use a different email client if Outlook’s autosave is too aggressive.

Best Practices For Managing Drafts

Whether you enable or disable autosave, managing drafts effectively improves productivity.

Regularly review and delete old drafts.
Use descriptive subject lines to find drafts easily.
Save important drafts manually even with autosave on.
Consider using categories or folders to organize drafts.
Set a reminder to clean up drafts weekly.

These habits prevent your Drafts folder from becoming a cluttered mess.

How Autosave Works With Different Account Types

Autosave behavior varies slightly depending on your email account type.

Exchange And Office 365 Accounts

Drafts are saved on the server. This means you can access them from any device. Autosave is more reliable and syncs quickly.

IMAP Accounts

Drafts are saved on the server if your provider supports it. Some IMAP servers have limitations. Autosave may be slower.

POP3 Accounts

Drafts are saved locally on your computer. They are not accessible from other devices. Autosave works fine but drafts are stored in your local .pst file.

Microsoft 365 Groups And Shared Mailboxes

Autosave for shared mailboxes works similarly to Exchange accounts. However, drafts are saved in the shared mailbox’s Drafts folder. Only users with access can see them.

Keyboard Shortcuts For Saving Drafts

Even with autosave enabled, manual saving gives you control. Here are shortcuts.

Windows: Ctrl + S
Mac: Command + S
Web version: Ctrl + S (or Command + S on Mac)

These shortcuts work in most versions of Outlook. They save the current draft immediately.

Automating Draft Management With Rules

You can use Outlook rules to manage drafts automatically. For example, move drafts older than a certain date to a different folder.

Go to File > Manage Rules & Alerts.
Click New Rule.
Select Apply rule on messages I receive.
Choose conditions like with specific words in the subject.
Select action like move it to the specified folder.
Finish the rule and apply it.

This is not a direct autosave control, but it helps keep drafts organized.

Third-Party Add-Ins For Autosave Control

Some third-party add-ins offer more granular autosave control. These can be useful for power users.

AutoSave Plus: Adds more options for saving drafts.
Draft Manager: Helps organize and clean drafts.
Outlook Tools: Various utilities for managing emails.

Always download add-ins from trusted sources. Check reviews and compatibility with your Outlook version.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Disable Autosave For Only Certain Emails?

No, Outlook does not support per-email autosave settings. The feature applies globally to all new emails. You can manually delete drafts you don’t want saved.

Does Disabling Autosave Affect Sent Items?

No, autosave only affects unsent drafts. Sent items are saved separately based on your Sent Items settings. Disabling autosave does not change how sent emails are stored.

How Do I Recover A Draft If Autosave Is Disabled?

If autosave is off, you must manually save drafts using Ctrl+S. If you close without saving, the draft is lost. Consider enabling autosave if you frequently forget to save.

Will Changing Autosave Settings Affect My Existing Drafts?

No, existing drafts remain in your Drafts folder. The new settings apply only to emails you start after the change. You can delete old drafts manually.

Is There A Way To Set Different Autosave Intervals For Different Accounts?

Not through the standard Outlook interface. You would need to use registry edits or third-party tools. Most users find the global setting sufficient.

Final Thoughts On Autosave Management

Controlling autosave in Outlook is straightforward once you know where to look. Whether you want to enable it for safety or disable it for simplicity, the steps are clear.

Remember that the web version has limited options. For full control, use the desktop client. And always test your settings after making changes.

If you encounter issues, the troubleshooting section above should help. For persistent problems, consider contacting Microsoft support or checking community forums.

Now you know exactly how to enable or disable autosave emails in outlook. Apply these steps to your own setup and enjoy a more personalized email experience.

Take a moment to review your current autosave settings. Adjust them to match your workflow. Your future self will thank you for the small effort.

Happy emailing, and may your drafts always be where you expect them.