Set an Out-of-Office Reply

🌴 Set an Out-of-Office Reply
Tell people you are away, and when you will be back.
✅ Before You Begin
  • You need an active NEO A&M College account with SSO access
  • An internet connection is required
  • The dates you will be away, and who should be contacted instead
  • 🕐 Estimated time: 10 minutes
💻 Which Outlook do these steps describe?
Written for Outlook on the web and New Outlook for Windows, which share the same layout. Classic Outlook for Windows is laid out differently — if your ribbon has a Send / Receive tab, you are using classic. See Classic Outlook vs. New Outlook.

🌴 Turn It On 🕐 ~5 minutes  |  Web and New Outlook
⚠️ Note: These steps come from Microsoft’s current published documentation rather than from a walkthrough on a NEO computer. The button names should match; if yours differ, tell the Help Desk so this article can be corrected.
  1. Select the Settings gear in the top-right corner.
  2. Select Accounts, then Automatic replies.
  3. Turn Automatic replies on.
  4. Tick the option to send replies only during a time period, then set the start and end dates.
    • Setting an end date is worth doing — it is the reliable way to avoid replies still going out two weeks after you are back.
  5. Type the message people inside NEO will receive.
  6. Select Save.
💡 Tip: A good out-of-office says three things: that you are away, when you return, and who to contact meanwhile. For example: I am out of the office until Monday 25 August. For urgent IT issues please contact the Help Desk at (918) 540-6099.

🌐 Replies to People Outside NEO 🕐 ~2 minutes  |  Same screen
Outlook keeps the message sent to outside senders separate, and it is off unless you turn it on.
  1. On the same screen, find the option to send replies outside your organization.
  2. Choose whether it goes to everyone, or only to people in your contacts.
  3. Type the outside message and select Save.
🚨 Warning: Keep the outside message short and vague. It answers automatically to anyone who writes, including senders you did not intend, so do not include your mobile number, your home address, or the detail that the building is empty.

✅ Turn It Off 🕐 ~1 minute
  1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Automatic replies.
  2. Turn Automatic replies off, then select Save.
⚠️ Note: In classic Outlook the same setting is at File → Automatic Replies. It is the same setting on the same mailbox — turning it off in one place turns it off everywhere.

📞 Still Need Help?
If you encounter any issues not covered in this guide, please contact the NEO A&M College IT Help Desk:

🌐 Helpdesk Portal: support.neo.edu
📞 Phone: (918) 540-6099
📧 Email: neosupport@neo.edu
📍 Walk-in: I.T. Services, Library/Administration Building, 2nd Floor, Room 216
🕐 Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
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