How to Forward Emails in Outlook.com (and Automatically)

Outlook.com lets you forward a message by hand, or forward every new email to another address automatically. Both are quick — but automatic forwarding is also one of the first things an intruder switches on, so it’s worth knowing where it lives.

Forward one email

1. Choose the message in your message list.
2. At the top right of the message pane, select Forward. (Or select Show message history, then Forward.)
3. Add recipients, type a note if you like, and select Send.

The subject gets FW: in front, and the original message and its attachments are included — you can edit the text or remove attachments before sending. The original stays in your mailbox.

Forward or reply? Reply when you’re answering the sender: the subject gets RE: and the original appears below — but attachments aren’t included. Forward when someone else needs the message and its attachments.

Several emails? Microsoft says you can forward only one message at a time in Outlook.com. Forward them one by one, or use automatic forwarding if you want everything going forward.

Turn on automatic forwarding

1. In Outlook.com, select Settings › Mail › Forwarding.
2. Select Enable forwarding and enter the address to forward to.
3. To keep the originals in your Outlook.com mailbox too, tick Keep a copy of forwarded messages.
4. Select Save.

Forwarding needs two-step verification. If it’s on, Microsoft asks you to verify again; if it isn’t, you’ll be prompted to turn it on. See Outlook security.

Replies go to you, not the original sender. Forwarded messages appear to come from your account. If you want replies to reach the original sender, Microsoft suggests a redirect rule instead — see Outlook rules.

Turn automatic forwarding off

Go back to Settings › Mail › Forwarding, clear Enable forwarding and select Save.

Forwarding you didn’t set up

If you find a forwarding address you don’t recognise, someone may have had access to your account. Microsoft’s recovery steps for a hacked account include checking Forwarding and Automatic replies, because an intruder can change them:

1. Turn forwarding off as above.
2. Run a full antivirus scan on your PC, then change your password — in that order.
3. Check your sign-ins on Microsoft’s Recent activity page. Outlook security walks through it.

Tip: if you only want copies for a while — say, while you’re away — remember to come back and turn forwarding off. An automatic reply may be the better choice. Using Gmail too? See forwarding in Gmail.