Creating an Auto Responder - In 20 Steps

A curious email that says you have got someones email and will get back to them as soon as possible, is a great personal touch. You can do this in Outlook by following the steps below.

1. from the menu in the main Outlook window select Tools > Rules and Alerts...
2. Left click on New Rule
3. Click on Start from a blank rule
4. Make sure Check messages when they arrive is selected
5. Click Next
   
6. Check Where my name is in the To box under Select condition(s)
7. Alternatively, you can leave all boxes unchecked to make the auto-responder reply to all incoming mail.
8. Click Next
9. Check reply using a specific template under Select action(s)
10. Click on a specific template under Edit the rule description
11. Select User Templates in File System under Look In:
12. Highlight the template created before
13. Click Open
14. Click Next
15. Check Except if it is an Out of Office message under Select exception(s)
16. Click Next
17. Type the desired name for your auto-responding filter under Specify a name for this rule
18. Optionally, check Create this rule on all accounts
19. Click Finish
20. Click OK

Keep in mind, though, that filters do not work with Hotmail and other HTTP accounts, then you have to use and alternate method.