How to configure read receipts on new Outlook app for Windows 11

In the new Outlook email client for Windows 11, you can control or even turn off read receipts, and in this guide, you will learn how.

A read receipt in Outlook is a message sent to the sender of an email to confirm that the recipient has opened the email. Read receipts can be helpful for tracking the delivery and reading status of your emails when communicating with business partners, customers, and teammates. However, they can also be a privacy concern and annoying.

This guide will teach you the easy steps to change the Outlook settings to control or disable read receipts.

Change read receipts settings in Outlook for Windows 11

To change or disable read receipts in the new Outlook email client for Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Outlook app on Windows 11.

2. Click the Settings (gear) button from the top-right corner.

3. Click on Mail.

4. Click the Message Handling tab.

5. Under the “Read Receipts” section, select the “Ask me before sending a response” or “Always send a response” option to enable and send the receipt communicating to the sender you read the message.

6. Select the “Never send a response” option to disable read receipts.

   

7. Click the Save button.

Once you complete the steps, the next time you receive an email from someone who requested a read receipt, when you open the email, Outlook will either prompt you to send a receipt, send one automatically, or prevent the sender from receiving a read receipt, depending on your configuration.

Although sometimes reading receipts can be helpful, it can also be an issue since knowing that the sender will see whether you read the message can put pressure on responding quickly. It can also be a privacy concern since it can reveal when you’re online, and it can be a distraction.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to turn off read receipts is a personal one. Both approaches have pros and cons, so you’ll need to weigh them carefully and decide what’s best for you.