2 Quick Tips to Auto Delete the Original Email After Replying It in Outlook

Some users prefer to delete the original email after replying it in that the reply has contained the information of original email. This article will share 2 quick means to realize it automatically.

By default, Outlook is set to auto include the original message in the reply. In this case, many users would like to delete the original message, only leaving the reply in their mailbox. Not only can this keep their mailbox in small size, but also it can let their emails in order. If you’re reluctant to delete the original emails manually, you can use the following 2 tricks to automate it.

Tip 1: Use Quick Step

Outlook comes with a native quick step “Reply & Delete”, like the following image. This quick step can automatically delete the original message and display a reply when you click on it.

If you cannot find this quick step, it is very likely that you have deleted it before by accident. You can also re-create it by following the steps below.

1. Firstly, click “Create New” button in “Quick Steps” group.
2. Then in the popup dialog box, assign a name to it, like “Reply & Delete”.
3. Next, in “Actions” section, select “Reply”.
4. Subsequently, click “Add Action” button.
5. And then add “Delete Message” action.
6. Finally hit “Save” button.

By this means, you have to always use this quick step to reply emails. If you still wish to utilize the standard “Reply” button in “Respond” group to achieve “Reply and Delete”, you can refer to the following means.

Tip 2: Use Outlook VBA

1. In the first place, press “Alt + F11” key buttons in Outlook.
2. Then in the subsequent VBA editor window, open the “ThisOutlookSession” project.
3. Next copy and paste the following VBA codes into it.

Public WithEvents objExplorer As Outlook.Explorer
Public WithEvents objInspectors As Outlook.Inspectors
Public WithEvents objMail As Outlook.MailItem

Private Sub Application_Startup()
    Set objExplorer = Outlook.Application.ActiveExplorer
    Set objInspectors = Outlook.Application.Inspectors
End Sub

Private Sub objExplorer_SelectionChange()
    On Error Resume Next
    If TypeOf Application.ActiveExplorer.Selection.Item(1) Is MailItem Then
       Set objMail = Application.ActiveExplorer.Selection.Item(1)
    End If
End Sub

Private Sub objInspectors_NewInspector(ByVal Inspector As Inspector)
    If TypeOf Inspector.CurrentItem Is MailItem Then
       Set objMail = Inspector.CurrentItem
    End If
End Sub

Private Sub objMail_Reply(ByVal Response As Object, Cancel As Boolean)
    objMail.Delete
    'If you want to only delete the specific email when replying it
    'You can specify the condition of the email as per your needs
    'like the following lines
    'If (InStr(LCase(objMail.Subject), "test") > 0) Then
    ' objMail.Delete
    'End If
End Sub

4. After that, sign this code digitally.
5. In addition, remember to change your Outlook macro settings, to permit the digitally signed macros.
6. Finally restart Outlook to activate the new VBA project. From now on, when you reply an email by hitting the standard “Reply” button, the original email will be deleted automatically.

Recover Your Compromised Outlook Data

If you encounter sudden Outlook damage unexpectedly, you must tend to try best to recover your Outlook data. As usual, the best and most simple approach is to retrieve from backups. But if you do not have a current data backup, you also can recur to an experienced repair tool, like DataNumen Outlook Repair.

Author Introduction:

Shirley Zhang is a data recovery expert in DataNumen, Inc., which is the world leader in data recovery technologies, including mdf recovery and outlook repair software products. For more information visit www.datanumen.com