How in the Tech

Auto Close Message in Outlook 2007 on Reply

By Adam Myers ⋅ March 25, 2009 ⋅ Tags: Microsoft Outlook

Professionally, I use Outlook 2007 at the office even though I’m personally extremely fond of Google Gmail. Many corporate employees have little choice when it comes to the communication tools available to them. Love it or hate it, Outlook 2007 really isn’t as bad as it’s made out to be. On the surface this may read like I’m talking about different strains of cancer – at the end of the day it is still Outlook. Nevertheless, I’ve got a great time-saving tip if you live inside Outlook at the work-place.

Working in IT, I receive 100s of emails a day and while not all of them require responses, many do, and it is then I start encountering minor annoyances with Outlook. I’m sure I’m not alone – you’re here reading this after all. I don’t use the Preview Pane; I tend to click to open the email and then, if necessary, reply back to the sender. I’d say my workflow is pretty typical to most. However, after my composed reply has been sent off I’m still left with the original email message open in my face. Were you aware Outlook 2007 has an option to automatically close the original email message after you’ve replied to it? This saves just a few seconds but it sure is a swell option.

1. Within Outlook, from the menubar navigate to Tools->Options.



2. From the Options dialog, select the Preferences tab and then click E-mail Options.



3. Now under Message Handling look for the check-box next to Close original message on reply or forward. Tick this box and close out of the nested dialogs.