How to enable follow-up flag icon when replying in the new Outlook version?

Hi @LUFN (Luciano Nascimento),

I hope everything is going smoothly on your end.

Based on my research, it appears that in the new Outlook experience, the follow‑up flag option may not be available while composing or replying to a message. The interface seems to place more emphasis on a simplified compose experience, which may be why actions such as adding follow‑up flags are handled after the message is sent or when viewing it in your mailbox. As a result, the flag option is typically available only in folders like Inbox or Sent Items.

As a workaround, you may consider sending the reply first and then applying the follow‑up flag from the Sent Items folder, where the option becomes available.

I completely understand why this matters, and it’s something other users may be looking for as well. Sharing experiences like this can be valuable for the product team when they evaluate future improvements. For that reason, I recommend submitting your feedback through the Outlook (new) · Community, where customer input is reviewed and helps bring attention to areas that may benefit from enhancement.

As community moderators, we kindly ask for your understanding that our access to internal development details is limited. Our primary role is to guide users toward the appropriate resources and support channels. While we may not have influenced product design decisions and have limited access to internal development details, we’ll continue doing our best to support you within the scope of our responsibilities.

If you decide to submit feedback and are comfortable doing so, feel free to share the link here in the comments. I’d be glad to upvote it to help increase its visibility.

Additionally, since many other users have expressed similar concerns but may not know where to submit feedback, if my response has helped you better understand the situation and guided you toward a possible next step, please mark it as the “Accepted Answer.” Your action will help pin this post to the top, making it easier for others in the community who are experiencing the same issue to find your feedback and support it.

I hope this information is helpful. Please feel free to share any additional details if you need further assistance.

Thank you again for your time and for raising this important usability concern.

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In the new Outlook for Windows, the Follow Up flag for replies uses the same “Tags” / “Follow Up” model as other Outlook clients, but the context only documents this for classic Outlook and Outlook for Mac.

From the available information:

• Follow-up flags and reminders for recipients are added before sending by using Follow Up → Custom → Flag for Recipients on the Message tab in Outlook for Microsoft 365/Outlook 2024/2021.
• Flags can also be used just for the sender (to create a to‑do item and reminder) via Follow Up on the Message tab.

However, there is no context describing how or whether the Follow Up / Tags group can be surfaced specifically while replying in the new Outlook for Windows, nor any documented setting to “enable” that icon in the new Outlook UI.

References:

• Flag email messages for follow up
• Customize your email message
• Follow Up flag does not work in outgoing emails in legacy Outlook for Mac
• Flag or pin a message in Outlook.com