Outlook
Learn how to forward emails to another email in Outlook—whether you're using Microsoft 365, Outlook.com, or a business account—with this simple, tested method. The key is knowing which path to take based on your account type—some need rules, others just a simple forwarding address.
Here's the thing—most people miss the two-step verification required for security, which can block your forwarding. I've seen this trip up even tech-savvy users, so we'll cover that too. The process takes under five minutes once you know where to click, and it works for both personal and work accounts.
You'll end up with emails automatically sent to your secondary address without losing access to your original inbox. The best part? You can set this up to forward all messages or just specific senders, giving you total control over your email flow.
This method works whether you're using Outlook on the web, desktop, or even the mobile app. Let's get your emails moving smoothly between accounts without any of the usual headaches.
📚 In This Guide
- What you need
- Instructions
- Tips and common mistakes
- Wrapping up and next steps
What you need
- ● Outlook Account Access: A working Microsoft Outlook account (web, desktop, or mobile app). Pro tip: Ensure you’re logged in with the correct credentials!
- ● Target Email Address: The email address you want to forward messages to (e.g., forward@example.com). ✨ Verify it’s correct to avoid misdeliveries!
- ● Internet Connection: A stable Wi-Fi or data connection for seamless syncing.
- ● Device Compatibility: For Outlook Desktop: Windows 10/11 with Outlook 2016 or later (or Outlook 365).
- ● For Outlook Web (OWA): Any modern browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari).
- ● For Mobile: iOS/Android with the latest Outlook app.
- ● Email Rules Manager: Use Outlook’s built-in Rules feature to auto-forward emails based on keywords or senders.
- ● Third-Party Extensions: Tools like Boomerang or Clean Email for advanced forwarding or organization.
- ● Password Manager: To securely store and auto-fill login credentials if managing multiple accounts.
- ● Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Enable this for added security if your account supports it.
Step-by-Step instructions for setting up email forwarding in Outlook
Here's the straightforward process to redirect incoming messages without missing a beat.
Access Your Outlook Account Settings
Open your Outlook application or visit outlook.office.com in a web browser. Sign in using your credentials if prompted. Once logged in, click the gear icon in the top-right corner to open Settings. This is where all email account configurations live, including forwarding rules.
If you're using the desktop app, go to File > Manage Email Accounts and select your account. From there, navigate to View all Outlook settings to access the web-based interface. This ensures you're working with the most up-to-date options, regardless of which Outlook version you're using.
Navigate to Mail Forwarding Options
In the Settings menu, select Mail from the left-hand navigation panel. Scroll down until you find the Forwarding section. This is where you'll configure where your emails go. If you don't see this option immediately, click View all Outlook settings at the bottom to expand the full settings panel.
Here's the thing—some accounts may require additional permissions before forwarding can be enabled. If you encounter a message about admin approval, you'll need to contact your email administrator or IT support to grant forwarding rights. This usually applies to work or school accounts with strict security policies.
Enable and Configure Email Forwarding
Under the Forwarding section, click Enable forwarding. A new field will appear where you can enter the email address you want to forward messages to. Type the full email address—double-check for typos, as incorrect addresses will cause emails to bounce back or get lost.
You'll also see an option to keep a copy of forwarded messages in your inbox. I always recommend keeping this enabled unless you're certain you want all emails to disappear from your primary account. This acts as a safety net in case the forwarding fails temporarily.
Save Changes and Verify the Setup
Click Save to apply your forwarding rules. Outlook may take a few minutes to process the change, especially if you're using a work or school account. You'll receive a confirmation message once it's active. Don't close the settings window yet—wait for the confirmation to appear.
To verify it works, send a test email to your Outlook account from another device. Check both your primary inbox and the forwarding address within 5-10 minutes. If you don't see the forwarded email, revisit the forwarding settings and ensure the address was entered correctly. Some accounts also require you to confirm the forwarding address via an email link sent to that account.
Troubleshoot Common Issues
If emails aren't forwarding, first check your spam or junk folder in the forwarding address—some servers flag forwarded messages as suspicious. For work or school accounts, you might need to wait up to 24 hours for IT policies to fully propagate the change.
Real talk: forwarding rules can sometimes conflict with other email rules like automatic replies or filters. If you notice forwarded emails arriving out of order, disable other rules temporarily to isolate the issue. For advanced setups, consider using Outlook's Inbox Rules to create a dedicated forwarding rule instead of the general forwarding option.
Tips & tricks for setting up email forwarding in Outlook
Setting up email forwarding in Outlook might seem straightforward, but these practical tips will help you avoid common pitfalls and ensure a smooth process.
Double-check email addresses: Before saving your forwarding settings, verify the email address you're forwarding to is correct. A single typo can cause emails to bounce back or get lost entirely. I've seen this happen more times than I can count—always double-check before clicking Save. This is especially important if you're forwarding to a personal email address you don't use daily.
Keep a copy of forwarded messages: In Step 3, I strongly recommend keeping the option to "keep a copy of forwarded messages" enabled. This creates a safety net in case the forwarding fails temporarily or if you need to reference the original email later. You can always disable this later if you prefer a clean inbox, but it's better to have it and not need it than to lose important emails.
Test with a simple email: When verifying your setup in Step 4, don't use an important email for your test. Send a simple message with just a few words and no attachments. This makes it easier to spot if something went wrong with the forwarding process. The 5-10 minute wait mentioned in the instructions gives Outlook time to process the change, but complex emails might take longer to forward.
Consider Inbox Rules for advanced setups: If you're forwarding emails from a work or school account with complex rules, consider creating a dedicated Inbox Rule instead of using the general forwarding option. This gives you more control over which emails get forwarded and when. For example, you could forward only emails from specific senders or with certain keywords, rather than forwarding everything.
Pro Tips for Forward Emails To Another Email Outlook
- Setting up email forwarding in Outlook might seem straightforward, but these practical tips will help you avoid common pitfalls and ensure a smooth process.
- Double-check email addresses: Before saving your forwarding settings, verify the email address you're forwarding to is correct.
- Keep a copy of forwarded messages: In Step 3, I strongly recommend keeping the option to "keep a copy of forwarded messages" enabled.
Frequently asked questions
Got questions about forwarding emails in Outlook? You’re not alone! Here are some of the most common queries—with quick, easy answers to help you navigate like a pro.
Can I forward emails automatically to another account?
Yes! Outlook lets you set up automatic forwarding. Go to Settings → View all Outlook settings → Mail → Forwarding. Enter the recipient’s email and toggle the switch. Just remember: this forwards all incoming messages, so use it wisely!
Will forwarding an email delete the original from my inbox?
Nope! By default, forwarding doesn’t delete the original. But if you want to clean up your inbox, manually delete the email after forwarding or use Outlook’s Rules feature to auto-delete after forwarding (Settings → Rules → Create a new rule).
Can I forward emails from a work account to my personal email?
For Outlook.com or Microsoft 365, follow the steps above. For work/school accounts, check with your IT admin—some corporate policies restrict forwarding. If allowed, use the same method but confirm with your admin first.
Why isn’t my forwarded email arriving?
Check these quick fixes:
- Spam folder: The recipient’s email might be flagged. Ask them to check their spam/junk tab.
- Blocked sender: If the original email’s domain is blocked, the forward fails. Update the recipient’s allowed senders list.
- Outlook glitch: Restart Outlook or refresh the app. If issues persist, try forwarding manually again.
Is there a way to forward emails with attachments?
Yes! Outlook automatically includes attachments when you forward emails. However, if the attachment is large (>25MB), the recipient’s email provider might block it. To avoid issues, compress the attachment first or ask the sender to resend it separately.
Wrapping up and next steps
Mastering how to forward emails in Outlook is a game-changer for staying organized and collaborating seamlessly. Whether you're managing a personal inbox or a work account, these steps ensure your messages reach the right person—without the hassle. 🎉
Now that you’re equipped with the know-how, take the next step: automate your workflow. Explore Outlook’s rules and filters to forward emails automatically based on keywords or senders—saving you time and keeping your inbox clutter-free!