When I reply to an email, the original message is deleted from my reply

L. Kelly Jones 40 Reputation points
2026-06-18T15:14:02.5+00:00

When I reply to an email, the original message is deleted from my reply

Outlook | MacOS | Legacy Outlook for Mac | For home
Answer accepted by question author
SD - IA 179.8K Reputation points Independent Advisor
2026-06-18T16:02:47.64+00:00

Hi,

Known issue.

Via https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5894175/legacy-outlook-for-mac-is-now-deleting-threads-whe

+Open any Office app > Help > Check for Updates > clear the checkbox for “Automatically keep Microsoft Apps up to date.”    

+Quit all Office apps.     

+Go to Applications > choose Microsoft Outlook > Move to Trash.    

+Install the 16.108 or 16.109 package from this link: Update history for Office for Mac - Office release notes | Microsoft Learn 

#2

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-au/answers/questions/5915486/my-original-email-is-not-showing-up-in-replies-i-a

Hi,

this workaround works for me:

  • uncheck default html-format on both composing (preferences) tabs
  • detto for format of org message

the drawback: the message is plan text formatted, but included.

I’m eager to hear back and work together to find a solution.

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Answer accepted by question author
Marco Soares 80 Reputation points
2026-06-23T11:48:22.2033333+00:00

Same problem here.
This is being analysed by Microsoft to fix it in a next update
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/replying-to-or-forwarding-an-email-does-not-include-the-original-message-in-the-email-body-in-legacy-outlook-for-mac-2aff3768-e7c5-4f5e-90ab-2e3976f424e8

Meanwhile I changed to non Legacy Outlook version and I don't have the problem anymore.

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  1. Hornblower409 15,715 Reputation points
    2026-06-24T00:39:49.75+00:00

    There is an official Microsoft Support Notice on this issue that you can follow for any updates
    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/replying-to-or-forwarding-an-email-does-not-include-the-original-message-in-the-email-body-in-legacy-outlook-for-mac-2aff3768-e7c5-4f5e-90ab-2e3976f424e8

    There are three possible workarounds for this issue:

    Upgrade to 16.110.1 Current Channel (Preview) - See the Answer by "Jayden-P Jun 23, 2026" in
    https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5923453/outlook-for-mac-bug-original-message-not-included?orderby=newest

    Rollback to 16.109.3 - See the Answer by "Dora-T May 19, 2026" in
    https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5896100/outlook-for-mac-reply-forwards-does-not-include-th

    Switch to Plain Text - See the Answer by "Franz Jun 17, 2026" in
    https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5915486/my-original-email-is-not-showing-up-in-replies-i-a

    Most active Q&A thread on this issue:
    https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5923453/outlook-for-mac-bug-original-message-not-included

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  2. AI answer

    2026-06-18T15:14:10.7266667+00:00

    In Outlook, replies normally include the original message text by default. If the original content is missing when replying, the reply/forward settings are likely configured to not include it.

    To change this behavior (example from Outlook for Windows, which controls how replies and forwards handle the original message):

    1. Select File > Options.
    2. Select Mail.
    3. Under Replies and forwards, for When replying to a message choose one of:
      • Include original message text (default), or
      • Include and indent original message, or
      • Prefix each line of the original message, or
      • Attach original message.
    4. Select OK to save.

    Avoid Do not include original message, because that removes the original content from replies.

    If the issue is that messages in a thread are disappearing from the Inbox or going to Deleted Items after replying, check that the conversation is not being Ignored:

    1. Open the Deleted Items folder.
    2. Select a message from the affected thread.
    3. On the Home tab, in the Delete group, select Ignore.
    4. When prompted, select Stop Ignoring Conversation.

    This moves the conversation back to its original folder and stops future messages in that thread from being automatically deleted.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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