All the main web email services I know of let you set up a vacation auto-responder when you plan to not use your email for a while. However, if you are using a desktop email client, Outlook for example, not all editions of it have a direct way to set it up.
If you are a MS Outlook user you would be glad to know that you can set up auto replies for all such incoming messages (even if you are not using the Exchange Edition that comes with an Out Of Office (OOO) Assistant). Let us see how.
Steps to Emulate Out Of Office Outlook Behavior
There are two broad steps to setting this up. First, you need to create an auto reply template that will be used for automated replies.
Step 1: Create a new mail with the desired auto reply message. Have the Format selected as Plain Text from the Options tab.
Step 2: Save this message as an Outlook Template.
With this done, you are ready to head over to the second part of the configuration. This will help you automate replies based on the type of incoming messages that land up in your inbox.
Step 3: Navigate to Tools -> Rules and Alerts. On the next window you should start with a New Rule under Email Rules.
Step 4: Start from blank rule and proceed with Check messages when they arrive option as shown in the image below.
Step 5: Define your rules for incoming messages so that it can be scanned and filtered accordingly. You may check multiple boxes here.
Step 6: For the action rule you need to select reply using a specific template. Click on the underlined value to select the template that you had saved in Step 2.
Step 7: If there are any exceptions for the filtering and action standards, you may check to remove them as applicable.
Step 8: Cross check and finalize the rules lest you might want to step back and make changes or corrections.
Step 9: You will see that the entry gets added to the Rules and Alerts dialog. Apply it as checked before you head out for your vacation.
Conclusion
If you really want to take a break from work during your vacation, you should give this setup in Outlook a try. Vacation responders are meant to serve a purpose: letting you enjoy your time off without the pressure of answering every new email. This method in Outlook works seamlessly, just that you need to get the rules right and ensure proper server connectivity.
Last updated on 03 February, 2022
The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.
Read Next
Polaris Office vs WPS Office: Which Is the Best Free Office Suite on Android
Most of the Microsoft Office suite apps are available on Android.
Auto Save MS Office Documents to SkyDrive aka Office Web Apps
Our default understanding of a cloud storage desktop application is that we have to move files and folders (manually) to the application directory in order to synchronize them across computers
Send Out Automated Vacation Replies in Outlook.com Email
Automated vacation reply is one of the necessary features I look for in an email service.
How to Turn On Suggested Replies in Microsoft Outlook
If you are often indecisive about composing a message, then Microsoft Outlook's suggested replies feature might make your life easier.
How to Manage and Delete Replies on Tumblr
When Tumblr restored its Replies feature back in 2016, the entire blogosphere — well, at least us Tumblr nerds — breathed a huge sigh of relief.
How to Create Saved Replies on Instagram
When running a business on Instagram, you won’t waste time replying to generic queries and questions.
Add Calendar Showing Schedule to Outlook Out Of Office Responses
Setting up Out Of Office (OOO) responses to automate email replies (when you are on a vacation) gives a professional touch to the way we handle our emails.
How to Schedule Out of Office Mail in Outlook
Everyone deserves a vacation or a small break from work life.
DID YOU KNOW
Gmail’s Undo Send button lets you recall your mails. However, it only gives you a ten-second window to do so.
