Messages are not saved to drafts folder in Outlook (247813)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Office Outlook 2003
  • Microsoft Outlook 2002
  • Microsoft Outlook 2000
  • Microsoft Outlook 98
  • Microsoft Exchange Server 5.5
This article was previously published under Q247813

SYMPTOMS

Outlook can be configured to save unsent messages to a folder at specified intervals. If you are typing in the message for an extended period of time, this interval of time may elapse without the message being saved to the specified folder. However, when you stop typing, the message is saved to the specified folder within a few seconds.

NOTE: The default is to save unsent messages every 3 minutes to the Drafts folder.

CAUSE

This behavior is by design. Microsoft Outlook needs some idle time to process the AutoSave feature.

WORKAROUND

To work around this behavior, you can make use of the AutoRecover feature that is built into Microsoft Word by following these steps:
  1. Start Microsoft Word.
  2. On the Tools menu, click Options.
  3. Click the Save tab.
  4. Change the AutoRecover setting to 1 minute, or whatever length of time you want, and then click OK.
  5. Quit Microsoft Word.
  6. Start Microsoft Outlook.
  7. On the Tools menu, click Options.
  8. Click the Mail Format tab.
  9. Click to select the Use Microsoft Word to edit e-mail messages check box.
  10. Click OK.
Microsoft Outlook inherits the setting in Microsoft Word and saves unsent messages to the specified folder at the specified interval, even if you have been continuously typing through the time interval.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:3/8/2006
Keywords:kbprb KB247813
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