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To enable an out-of-office message in Outlook on Windows 11, first identify which Outlook app you use. In new Outlook, go to View settings > Accounts > Automatic Replies. In classic Outlook, choose File > Automatic Replies. The labels and options differ by app, but the feature is not a Windows 11-only setting. Microsoft documents separate instructions for new and classic Outlook.
Choose the instructions for your Outlook app
New and classic Outlook have different settings paths. If the new Outlook steps below do not match what you see, use the classic Outlook section instead. Microsoft’s instructions cover Outlook for Microsoft 365 and Outlook 2024, 2021, 2019, and 2016, among other listed products; the relevant distinction here is the app interface and whether your account supports automatic replies.
Set up automatic replies in new Outlook
- On the ribbon, select View, then View settings.
- Select Accounts > Automatic Replies.
- Turn on the Automatic replies toggle.
- To schedule the message, turn on Send replies only during a time period, then enter the start and end times. Replies stop at the scheduled end time.
- If you want to reply to people outside your organization, review the external-reply choices. Where available, you can limit those replies to contacts.
- Select Save.
For work or school accounts, the option to reply outside the organization may be available. Sending to everyone outside your organization can also trigger replies to newsletters, advertisements, or potentially junk email, so consider limiting the audience to contacts if that option fits your needs. Microsoft’s setup instructions describe the available choices, and its guidance on replies outside your organization notes the risk of responding to unwanted messages.
Set up automatic replies in classic Outlook
- Select File > Automatic Replies.
- Choose Send automatic replies.
- To schedule an absence, select the option to send replies during a time range and enter the start and end times. The end time turns replies off. If you do not set a range, plan to disable replies manually.
- Enter your message. For some work or school accounts, classic Outlook provides separate Inside My Organization and Outside My Organization tabs for different messages.
- Select OK.
To stop replies before the scheduled end, select the Turn off control below the ribbon, or reopen Automatic Replies to change the message or dates. Outlook sends a customized automatic reply once to each person who emails during the absence; do not expect it to send a fresh reply for every message from the same sender. Microsoft explains the classic Outlook settings and how automatic replies behave.
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If Automatic Replies is missing
In classic Outlook, select File and check whether Automatic Replies appears. The built-in feature is available only for certain account types. In new Outlook, automatic replies are not supported for Gmail, Yahoo, or other POP or IMAP accounts. Microsoft’s account and app guidance explains the built-in feature’s availability.
Classic Outlook rule workaround
If the button is absent in classic Outlook, Microsoft documents a rule-based alternative. It is not equivalent to a server-side automatic reply: Outlook must remain running to send responses while you are away.
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Because this method depends on the desktop app running, it will not send replies while Outlook is closed. Follow Microsoft’s instructions for using rules to send an out-of-office message for the detailed rule setup.
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Choose the audience and schedule deliberately
- Use a time period when you know your absence dates; the scheduled end prevents replies from continuing beyond that window. Without a period, you may need to turn them off manually.
- Keep external messages brief. Avoid unnecessary personal or sensitive details in messages sent beyond your organization.
- Check the external audience setting. If Outlook offers replies only to contacts, that can reduce unwanted automatic responses compared with replying to everyone outside the organization.
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