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Can outgoing emails be kept in outbox until the next receive email cycle?

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  • Last reply by Toad-Hall

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I don't know if this is possible or not. In outlook, there is an option to send emails immediately, or delayed until the next send/receive cycle. This is useful in case there are emails we need to review again, or plain delete. when it sends, it also kinda disappears into the background and I am not bothered by it unless i want to see the status. Is there a way to configure this?

I don't know if this is possible or not. In outlook, there is an option to send emails immediately, or delayed until the next send/receive cycle. This is useful in case there are emails we need to review again, or plain delete. when it sends, it also kinda disappears into the background and I am not bothered by it unless i want to see the status. Is there a way to configure this?

Chosen solution

You can choose to 'Send' or 'Send Later'.

In a new Write message. The 'Send' button which you can click on to 'Send now' has a drop down selection offering to 'Send Later' - click on the small arrow tot he right of the 'Send' button.

you can also locate the 'Send Later' option under : File > Send Later'

'Send Later' option will send the email into 'Outbox' folder located under Local Folders.

If you are working in 'Offline' mode, then the 'Send' button will change to offer 'Send Later' only as it cannot Send Now if not in 'Online' mode. (This does not mean you have no internet connectivity - it means Thunderbird is not set to use it). You can swap/toggle between 'Online' and 'Offline' mode by clicking on the Two blue screen icon located bottom left in Status Bar to change to Two black screen icon (Offline) and vice versa.


Any email in the 'Outbox' folder can opened and edited before sending or deleted. right click on email and select 'Edit as new'.

There is also an addon extension which can offer more choices such as setting a time to send email. Have a look at this link to see if this would be of use to you.

How to install an addon:

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Chosen Solution

You can choose to 'Send' or 'Send Later'.

In a new Write message. The 'Send' button which you can click on to 'Send now' has a drop down selection offering to 'Send Later' - click on the small arrow tot he right of the 'Send' button.

you can also locate the 'Send Later' option under : File > Send Later'

'Send Later' option will send the email into 'Outbox' folder located under Local Folders.

If you are working in 'Offline' mode, then the 'Send' button will change to offer 'Send Later' only as it cannot Send Now if not in 'Online' mode. (This does not mean you have no internet connectivity - it means Thunderbird is not set to use it). You can swap/toggle between 'Online' and 'Offline' mode by clicking on the Two blue screen icon located bottom left in Status Bar to change to Two black screen icon (Offline) and vice versa.


Any email in the 'Outbox' folder can opened and edited before sending or deleted. right click on email and select 'Edit as new'.

There is also an addon extension which can offer more choices such as setting a time to send email. Have a look at this link to see if this would be of use to you.

How to install an addon:

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re: when it sends, it also kinda disappears into the background and I am not bothered by it unless i want to see the status.

I presume you are referring to the small window showing progress status of the item being sent. This window, like any window, remains in focus until you select to view another window such as the thunderbird user interface showing all your Folders. then it may be hidden behind the Thunderbird main window. Usually, this send status window can open, send and close quickly, but it can remain open if the email is larger and takes longer to send. As with any window you can grab the window and move it to the side.