how to retract an email in outlook?

TLDR: To retract an email in Outlook, use the recall feature, which works only if both sender and recipient are on Microsoft 365 or Exchange accounts, the recipient's mailbox is open, and the email is unread. If the recall fails, consider alternatives like delaying email sending or using the "Undo Send" feature.

Retracting an email in Outlook is possible through the recall feature, but it has specific conditions for success. Both the sender and recipient must be using Microsoft 365 or Exchange accounts within the same organization, the recipient's mailbox must be open, and the original email must be unread. If these conditions are not met, the recall attempt will likely fail. To initiate a recall, navigate to your Sent Items, open the email, and select "Recall This Message" from the "Message" tab.

Despite its usefulness, the recall feature has limitations, such as being unavailable for web-based Outlook and depending on the recipient's actions. If a recall fails, users can consider alternatives like delaying email sending to allow for corrections or using the "Undo Send" feature in Outlook for the web. In cases where these options are not viable, sending a follow-up email to clarify any mistakes can help mitigate confusion.