Junk emails

For Outlook.com or Outlook on the web, junk mail cannot be completely stopped from arriving, but it can be reduced and managed better.

1. Keep reporting spam/phishing Reporting helps improve filtering, but blocking one sender often does not stop new spam from different addresses.
2. Add trusted senders to Safe senders This helps protect important mail from going to Junk.
   • Go to Settings > Mail > Junk email
   • Under Safe senders and domains, select Add safe sender
   • Enter the email address or domain
   • Select OK, then Save
3. Block repeated senders or domains If the same sender or domain keeps appearing:
   • Go to Settings > Mail > Junk email
   • Add the address under Blocked senders or the domain under Blocked domains
   • Select Save
4. Mark messages as Not junk when needed If real mail is being filtered by mistake:
   • Open the Junk Email folder
   • Select the message
   • Select It’s not junk
   • Add the sender to Safe senders
5. Check for rules that move mail incorrectly If wanted mail is disappearing or going to the wrong folder, review inbox rules for sender names or keywords that may be too broad.
6. Use stronger junk filtering if available In Outlook on the web, under Settings > Mail > Block or allow, Automatically filter junk email can be used. There is also a stricter option to treat all email as junk unless it comes from Safe Senders and Recipients or local senders. This is very aggressive and can cause legitimate mail to be filtered.
7. Know the cleanup timing Junk Email is automatically emptied after a period of time:
   • Some Outlook.com guidance says junk messages are deleted between 10 and 30 days after arrival.
   • Other Outlook/new Outlook guidance says junk mail is automatically removed after 14 days.

If the main problem is volume, the most effective approach is:

• keep reporting spam
• add important contacts to Safe senders
• block only repeated domains or senders
• review rules that may be catching legitimate mail

• Filter junk email and spam in Outlook
• Mail goes to the Junk folder by mistake
• Block or allow (junk email settings)
• Block or unblock senders in Outlook
• 10 tips on how to help reduce spam