Weekly Computer Tip # 341
19 May 2011

automatically close an email after replying or forwarding (Outlook 2000-2010)

When you reply or forward an email message in Outlook the original message stays open, which means that if you deal with dozens of emails per day (yeah, well done; you're really important!) then you end up with lots and lots of messages open. So why not change the configuration so that it automatically closes the original message after you have forwarded or replied to it.

Here's how:

1. Select the Tools, Options command.
2. On the Preferences tab, click E-mail Options.
3. Select the "Close original message on reply or forward" check box.
4. Click OK twice.

If you already use Outlook version 2010 (quite a bit different, isn't it, so why not book some training?) you can find the Options button on the (renamed!) File tab. Go to the Mail section and you'll see the "Close original message on reply or forward" check box in the right hand pane under the "Replies and forward" section.

If you are looking for other ways to avoid clutter in Outlook see http://www.roem.co.uk/tip_76.html and http://www.roem.co.uk/tip_77.html

Until next week.

PS I’m committed to sharing the best of what I know with others so please don’t keep me a secret. If you enjoyed today’s tip, please forward it to anyone you feel may benefit. Alternatively, feel free to reprint it (with full copyright and subscription information) in your newsletters and message boards.

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