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How to Enable Email Forwarding in Outlook for Windows 11

Richard
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Richard
Aug 25, 2023 Updated May 1, 2026 3 min read
How to Enable Email Forwarding in Outlook for Windows 11

Setting up email forwarding Outlook 11 helps you manage your inbox more effectively. Whether you use the ‘New Outlook’ or the ‘Classic Outlook’ desktop client, the process ensures you never miss important messages. Before starting, it is vital to know that automatically-translate-messages-received-in-other-languages-in-outlook-on-windows-11/" class="sal-link" rel="noopener" target="_blank" data-sal-id="31399">automatic forwarding can sometimes be blocked by your organization’s mail flow policies for security reasons.

Why forward your email?

You might want to send your messages to a different account to keep all your mail in one place. It is also useful if you are going on vacation and want a family member or coworker to handle your messages while you are away.

What happens when done?

Once you finish these steps, every new email you receive will be sent automatically to the address you chose. You can also choose to keep a copy of the original email in your current inbox.

New Outlook vs. Classic Outlook

The ‘New Outlook’ is built on web-based technology similar to the Outlook Web App (OWA), while ‘Classic Outlook’ is a traditional desktop application. If you are using an Exchange Server, your administrator may have disabled automatic forwarding to prevent data leaks. Always check with your IT department if you cannot find the forwarding settings.

How to Enable Forwarding in New Outlook

Follow these steps to configure your mailbox settings in the modern interface:

1. Open the new Outlook for Windows app.

Open the new Outlook app in Windows 11

2. Click the Settings gear icon in the top right corner.

Add Gmail to Outlook app in Windows 11

3. Go to Mail and select Forwarding.

Outlook forwarding email to another account

4. Toggle Enable forwarding to the ‘On’ position.

Outlook forwarding email to another account

5. Enter the destination email address and click Save.

How to Enable Forwarding in Classic Outlook

In the classic version, you typically use email rules to manage forwarding:

1. Open Classic Outlook and go to the Home tab.

2. Click Rules and select Manage Rules & Alerts.

3. Click New Rule and choose Apply rule on messages I receive.

4. Select the conditions (or leave blank to forward all) and choose forward it to people or public group.

5. Click the underlined text to enter the email address and finish the wizard.

Troubleshooting and Security

If your forwarding is not working, check your SMTP forwarding settings. Note that forwarding sensitive information to personal accounts can violate company security policies. Always ensure your destination account is secure.

Summary

To summarize, email forwarding Outlook 11 is a powerful tool for inbox management. Whether you are using the New Outlook or the Classic desktop client, you can automate your workflow by following the steps above. Remember to check your company policies regarding email migration and security before setting up automatic redirects. If you no longer need this feature, simply return to the same settings menu and disable the forwarding toggle or delete the rule you created.

Can I forward emails to multiple addresses?

In the standard Outlook settings, you can usually only set one forwarding address. To send mail to multiple people, you should create an email distribution list or use specific inbox rules to redirect copies of incoming messages to different recipients based on the sender or subject line.

Does forwarding keep a copy of the email?

Yes, in the New Outlook settings, there is a specific checkbox labeled ‘Keep a copy of forwarded messages’. If you check this, the original email remains in your inbox. If you leave it unchecked, the email is moved directly to the destination address, leaving your original inbox empty.

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Richard

About the Author

Richard

Tech Writer, IT Professional

Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.

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