How Do I Resend An Email In Outlook : Resending Email From Sent Folder

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Resending an email in Outlook creates a fresh copy of the original message for a new delivery attempt. If you have ever wondered “how do i resend an email in outlook,” you are not alone. This simple feature saves time when an email fails to send or when you need to follow up without retyping everything. In this guide, you will learn step-by-step methods for Outlook desktop, web, and mobile versions. Let us get started right away.

How Do I Resend An Email In Outlook

Outlook offers a built-in resend option that duplicates your original message. You can edit it before sending again. This works for sent items, not drafts. The feature is available in Outlook 2016, 2019, 2021, Microsoft 365, and Outlook on the web. Below are the exact steps for each platform.

Resending From Outlook Desktop App

The desktop app provides the most control. Follow these steps carefully.

  1. Open Outlook on your computer.
  2. Go to the “Sent Items” folder in the left navigation pane.
  3. Double-click the email you want to resend. It must open in a separate window.
  4. On the ribbon menu, click the “Message” tab if not already selected.
  5. Look for the “Move” group. Click “Actions” (or the three dots icon in newer versions).
  6. Select “Resend This Message” from the dropdown menu.
  7. A new message window opens with the original content and recipients. Edit if needed.
  8. Click “Send” to deliver the email again.

That is all. The new email will appear in your Sent Items folder once sent. Note that attachments are included automatically. You can remove or add files before resending.

Common Issues With Desktop Resend

Sometimes the “Resend This Message” option is greyed out. This happens if the original message was sent from a shared mailbox or if you lack permissions. In that case, forward the email manually and delete the “FW:” prefix. Another issue is when the original email was sent as a meeting invitation or task request. Those cannot be resent directly. Instead, create a new meeting or task.

Resending From Outlook On The Web

Outlook on the web (OWA) also supports resending. The steps are slightly different.

  1. Log in to Outlook.com or your work/school Outlook web app.
  2. Click “Sent Items” in the left folder list.
  3. Open the email you want to resend by double-clicking or tapping it.
  4. In the reading pane or message window, click the three dots (More actions) near the top.
  5. Select “Resend” from the menu. You may see “Resend this message” or just “Resend”.
  6. A new compose window appears with the original content. Make changes if desired.
  7. Click “Send” to deliver.

This method works for most email accounts connected to Outlook on the web. If you do not see the resend option, your organization may have disabled it. Try forwarding instead.

Resending From Outlook Mobile App

The mobile app (iOS and Android) does not have a direct resend button. But you can use a workaround.

  • Open the Outlook app on your phone.
  • Tap the “Sent Items” folder icon (usually at the bottom).
  • Find the email and tap it to open.
  • Tap the three dots (More) in the top right corner.
  • Select “Forward” from the options.
  • Delete the “FW:” from the subject line and remove any extra text.
  • Add or remove recipients as needed.
  • Tap the send arrow.

This is not a true resend, but it works. The original attachments may not carry over. You can reattach files manually.

Why You Might Need To Resend An Email

There are several practical reasons to use the resend feature. First, an email might bounce back due to a wrong address or server issue. Instead of typing everything again, resend after correcting the address. Second, you may want to follow up with a recipient who did not respond. Resending with a small edit can remind them without looking pushy. Third, you might have forgotten to include an attachment. Resend with the file added. Fourth, if you sent an email from the wrong account, resend from the correct one. The feature saves time and reduces errors.

When Resend Is Not Recommended

Resending can be misused. Do not resend the same email multiple times to the same person within a short period. That looks spammy. Also, avoid resending sensitive information without checking the recipient list. If you made a major mistake, like sending to the wrong person, recall the message first (if supported) instead of resending. Finally, resending an old email with outdated information can confuse the reader. Always review the content before clicking send.

Step-By-Step Guide For Outlook 365

Microsoft 365 users have the same resend option as the desktop app. Here is a quick walkthrough.

  1. Open Outlook 365.
  2. Navigate to “Sent Items”.
  3. Double-click the email to open it in its own window.
  4. Click “Message” tab, then “Actions” in the Move group.
  5. Choose “Resend This Message”.
  6. Edit the subject line, body, or recipients if needed.
  7. Click “Send”.

If you use the new Outlook for Windows (the one that looks like the web version), the steps are similar. Look for the three dots and select “Resend”. The interface changes slightly, but the logic remains.

Keyboard Shortcuts For Faster Resend

You can speed up the process with shortcuts. In the desktop app, after opening the sent email, press Ctrl+Shift+R to open the resend window directly. This works in Outlook 2016 and later. On Mac, use Command+Shift+R. These shortcuts save a few clicks. Practice them once to remember.

How To Resend An Email With Attachments

Attachments are included automatically when you use the resend feature. However, if the original attachment was removed from your system or expired, it may not appear. In that case, you need to reattach the file manually. Also, if you resend via forwarding (on mobile), attachments are often stripped. Always check the attachment area before sending. If you see a paperclip icon, click it to verify the files are there.

Resending To Multiple Recipients

The resend feature keeps all original recipients. If you want to add or remove people, simply edit the To, Cc, or Bcc fields. Be careful not to accidentally expose Bcc recipients. Outlook removes Bcc addresses when you resend, but double-check. If you need to send to a different group, consider creating a new email instead of resending.

Troubleshooting Resend Problems

Sometimes the resend option does not work as expected. Here are common fixes.

  • Option missing: Check if you are in the “Sent Items” folder. Resend only works for sent emails, not drafts.
  • Greyed out: This often means the email was sent from a different account or shared mailbox. Switch to that account first.
  • No resend button: Some Outlook versions hide it under “More” or “Actions”. Look for a three-dot menu.
  • Email not found: If you deleted the sent email, you cannot resend it. Recover it from Deleted Items first.
  • Resend sends blank email: This can happen if the original email was corrupted. Try forwarding instead.

If none of these work, restart Outlook and try again. Sometimes a simple refresh fixes glitches.

Alternatives To Resending

When resend is not available, use these alternatives.

  • Forward: Forward the email to the same recipient. Edit the subject to remove “FW:” and add a note.
  • Recall: If you sent an email by mistake, recall it (Exchange accounts only). Then send a corrected version.
  • Draft from scratch: Copy and paste the content into a new email. This is manual but reliable.
  • Use templates: Save common emails as templates for quick reuse. This avoids resending old messages.

Each method has pros and cons. Forwarding is fastest but may include unwanted headers. Recalling works only within the same organization. Templates require setup but are great for recurring emails.

How To Resend An Email In Outlook For Mac

Outlook for Mac has a slightly different interface. Here is how to resend.

  1. Open Outlook for Mac.
  2. Click “Sent Items” in the sidebar.
  3. Double-click the email to open it.
  4. On the top menu, click “Message” then “Resend”.
  5. Alternatively, right-click the email in the list and select “Resend”.
  6. Edit the message if needed.
  7. Click “Send”.

The shortcut Command+Shift+R also works on Mac. If you do not see the option, update Outlook to the latest version.

Resending From Outlook.com (Free Version)

Free Outlook.com users can also resend emails. The process is similar to the web version.

  1. Go to Outlook.com and sign in.
  2. Click “Sent” in the left pane.
  3. Open the email you want to resend.
  4. Click the three dots (More) at the top of the message.
  5. Select “Resend”.
  6. Edit and send.

Note that free accounts have limited resend functionality. If you do not see the option, use forwarding instead. Also, attachments may not carry over reliably.

Best Practices For Resending Emails

Follow these tips to use resend effectively.

  • Always review the content before sending. The original email might have errors or outdated info.
  • Update the subject line if needed. Add “Resent:” or “Follow-up:” to clarify.
  • Check recipients carefully. Do not accidentally include someone who should not see the email.
  • Use resend for failed deliveries only once or twice. If an email bounces repeatedly, verify the address.
  • Avoid resending the same email within 24 hours to the same person. It may be marked as spam.

These practices keep your email communication professional and effective.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I resend an email without opening it?

No, you must open the email in a separate window to access the resend option. However, in Outlook for Mac, you can right-click the email in the list and select “Resend” directly.

Does resending an email notify the recipient?

No, the recipient sees it as a new email. There is no indication that it was resent unless you add a note. The original email remains in their inbox if they already received it.

How do I resend an email in Outlook if the original was sent from a shared mailbox?

Switch to the shared mailbox account in Outlook. Open the sent items of that mailbox. Then follow the same resend steps. If the option is missing, forward the email instead.

Can I resend an email that was sent weeks ago?

Yes, as long as the email is still in your Sent Items folder. Outlook does not limit how far back you can resend. However, the content may be outdated, so edit it accordingly.

What if the resend option is not available in my Outlook version?

Some older versions or restricted accounts may lack this feature. Use forwarding as a workaround. Alternatively, copy the email content and paste it into a new message.

Final Thoughts On Resending Emails

Now you know exactly how do i resend an email in outlook across different platforms. The feature is simple but powerful. It saves time and reduces typing errors. Whether you use the desktop app, web version, or mobile, you have options. Remember to check attachments and recipients before hitting send. If you encounter issues, try the troubleshooting tips or use forwarding as a backup. With practice, resending becomes second nature. Start using it today to manage your email more efficiently.