How To Setup Outlook Automatic Reply 2026 | Outlook Auto Reply Tutorial, by Shax Finds on YouTube. 1 min 54 s.
- Video length
- 1 min 54 s
- Time to do it
- 5 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 7
What you need
Steps
Open Outlook on the web at outlook.com, in the new Outlook app, or in classic Outlook, and sign in to the account you want to reply from.
In classic Outlook, click File, then Automatic Replies. In the new Outlook or on the web, click Settings, then Accounts, then Automatic replies.
Turn on the automatic replies switch, then tick Send replies only during a time period and set the start and end date and time.
Type your message in the Inside my organization box. Keep it short: your dates away, who to contact, and how urgent items are handled.
To send different text to people outside your company, tick the outside box, write the second message, then choose contacts only or anyone.
Optionally tick Block my calendar for this period and decline new invitations so your calendar shows you as away.
Click Save or OK. Send yourself a test email from another account to confirm the reply comes back.
Tips and common mistakes
Set an end date and time so the replies switch off on their own when you are back.
Keep the outside message free of internal names, phone numbers and project details.
If the option is greyed out in classic Outlook, your account type may not support it, so try Outlook on the web instead.
Turn the replies off manually if you return early, or people will keep getting the away message.
Questions
Does this work in Outlook.com and Microsoft 365?
Yes, the setting works the same way in both. Look for Automatic replies in Settings, and it applies only to the mailbox you are signed in to.
Can I use a different message for people outside my company?
Yes. Tick the box for outside senders, write a second message, then choose whether it goes to all senders or only your contacts.
Will the reply stop when I get back?
Only if you set an end date and time. Otherwise you have to open Automatic replies and turn it off yourself.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
