what is outbox in outlook

The Outbox in Microsoft Outlook is a temporary holding folder for outgoing emails waiting to be sent to your mail server. Once Outlook successfully delivers the message, it automatically moves it from the Outbox to your Sent Items folder.

How the Outbox Works

When you have a fast internet connection, emails pass through the Outbox in a split second. You usually only see messages sitting in this folder for specific reasons:

• Active sending. Outlook is currently uploading your email and its attachments to the server.
• Scheduled delivery. You used the “Delay Delivery” feature to schedule an email for a future time. It waits in the Outbox until that time arrives.
• Working offline. You clicked send while disconnected from the internet or while Outlook was in “Work Offline” mode. Outlook holds the message until you reconnect.

Outbox vs. Drafts vs. Sent Items

It helps to distinguish the Outbox from other common folders:

• Drafts. Holds unfinished emails you have not clicked “Send” on yet.
• Outbox. Holds finished emails you have clicked “Send” on, which are queued for delivery.
• Sent Items. Holds a permanent copy of emails that have already left your system.

Where to Find It

• Desktop App (Windows/Mac). Look in the left-hand Folder Pane, usually right below your Inbox or Drafts. Note that on some versions, users on Microsoft Q&A have noted it may only appear when a message is actively waiting to send.
• Outlook on the Web. There is no dedicated Outbox folder in the web version. Scheduled or unsent messages stay in your Drafts folder instead.

Why Emails Get Stuck in the Outbox

If a message stays in your Outbox longer than a minute or two, one of these issues is usually the cause:

• Connection drops. Your Wi-Fi disconnected or Outlook accidentally switched to “Work Offline” mode.
• Oversized attachments. Large files can time out or exceed your email provider’s size limit. According to Microsoft Support, large attachments are the most common reason an email gets stuck.
• Outdated account settings. A recent password change or incorrect outgoing server (SMTP) settings can block Outlook from connecting.