How to Disallow Reactions When Sending an Email in Outlook

Questions

  • How do I turn off emoji reactions on an email in Outlook?
  • How do I stop recipients from reacting to my email with emojis?
  • Where is the "Allow Reactions" option in Outlook?
  • How do I disable reactions before sending an email in new Outlook for Windows?
  • How do I turn off reactions in Outlook on the web?
  • How do I disallow reactions on Outlook for Mac?
  • Can I turn off reactions for just one email instead of all my emails?
  • As a staff member, how do I prevent people from reacting with emojis to a formal email?
  • Why don't I see a reactions option when I compose a new email?

Environment

This article applies to faculty, staff, and students sending email from a Bowdoin Microsoft 365 account using new Outlook for Windows, Outlook on the web, or new Outlook for Mac.

  • Applies to Bowdoin-issued Dell Laptop and Dell Desktop devices running Windows 11
  • Applies to Bowdoin-issued MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, MacBook Neo, iMac, and Mac Mini devices running macOS Sequoia (15.x) or Tahoe (26.x) or newer
  • Applies to Outlook on the web accessed through a browser on any supported device
  • Does not apply to classic (legacy) Outlook for Windows or classic Outlook for Mac, which do not include a reactions feature
  • Does not cover reacting to or removing a reaction from a message you received

Resolution

The reactions feature in Outlook lets recipients respond to an email with a quick emoji, similar to reactions in Microsoft Teams. You can turn this off for an individual message while composing it, before you send it. The reactions feature only works when both the sender and recipient are using new Outlook for Windows, Outlook on the web, or new Outlook for Mac with a Microsoft 365 work or school account.

Note: Reactions are allowed by default for each new message you compose. You need to turn the setting off separately for every email where you want to disallow reactions; it does not apply automatically to future messages.

Turn Off Reactions in New Outlook for Windows

  1. Select New Email to start a new message, or open an existing draft or reply you are working on.
  2. Select the Options tab in the ribbon at the top of the message window.
  3. In the Reactions group, select Allow Reactions to toggle the setting off. When the toggle is off, the button appears unselected, showing that recipients will not be able to add emoji reactions to this message.
  4. Finish writing your email and select Send.

Turn Off Reactions in Outlook on the Web

  1. Sign in to Outlook on the web and select New message.
  2. In the compose window, find the Reactions icon, shown as a small smiley face, in the toolbar near the bottom of the window.
  3. Select the Reactions icon to turn reactions off for this message. The icon's appearance changes to indicate reactions are disabled.
  4. Finish composing your message and select Send.

Turn Off Reactions in New Outlook for Mac

  1. Open new Outlook for Mac and select New Email.
  2. Select the Options tab in the ribbon.
  3. Select Allow Reactions to turn the toggle off for the message you are composing.
  4. Finish writing your email and select Send.
Important: Reactions only work when the recipient is also using new Outlook for Windows, Outlook on the web, or new Outlook for Mac with a Microsoft 365 work or school account. If a recipient uses classic Outlook or a different email client, they will not see an option to react regardless of this setting.

Additional Help

If you need further assistance, you have several options:

  • Bowdoin Bot: Chat with Bowdoin Bot directly from any KB page for instant answers.
  • Phone: Call the Bowdoin College Service Desk at (207) 725-3030.
  • In person: Visit the Tech Hub in Smith Union during business hours.
  • Submit a ticket: Request assistance through the Service Catalog.

 

 

AI-assisted content: This article was created with AI. It was verified and edited by a human.
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