Email forwarded message in Outlook Classic.

Question

Email forwarded message in Outlook Classic.

Vijay 20

Today when I opened my outlook software (Classic for desktop) It was displaying a message that emails were being forwarded to another email.

Screenshot 2026-10-31 155344

It is one of my emails only but the problem is that I did not set it up & when I checked the settings forwarding is disabled.

Screenshot 2026-10-31 154549

I have changed my password just to be safe but even after that when I open outlook it is still showing the same message.

Stefan Blom 357.3K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2026-10-31T17:48:49.1266667+00:00

Your screen shot (repeated below) shows the File > Settings dialog box in the new Outlook. Are you saying that you are looking there because you can't access the corresponding settings in classic Outlook (for the affected account)?

The
Vijay 20 Reputation points

2026-11-01T07:42:31.1566667+00:00

I never configured any rules in outlook software.

All the rules were configured in the web version of the email. Hence the two different screenshots.
Stefan Blom 357.3K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2026-11-01T10:43:25.4533333+00:00

Sorry, I must be missing something. Since you are asking about classic Outlook, I wondered why your screen shot is from the new Outlook.
Vijay 20 Reputation points

2026-11-01T11:19:19.5333333+00:00

I don't use the new outlook. It's not even installed on my computer.

The screenshot of the band which says the emails are being forwarded is from the Outlook classic software. The screenshot of the settings page is from Outlook Web which I use to set up rules.
Stefan Blom 357.3K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2026-11-01T11:22:21.5+00:00

The screenshot of the settings page is from Outlook Web which I use to set up rules.

Indeed, Outlook web has an interface which is very similar to that of the new Outlook. Thanks for the clarification.

Answer accepted by question author

EmilyS726 278.8K Independent Advisor

Close Classic Outlook completely.

Press Win + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog.

Type outlook /cleanrules and press Enter to clear and reset client-side rule stores

See if that clears it.

Vijay 20 Reputation points

2026-11-01T07:43:44.36+00:00

Thanks. This seems to have worked.

Strange considering there was no rules configured in the software.

1 additional answer

Your answer

Stefan Blom 357.3K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2026-10-31T17:48:49.1266667+00:00

Your screen shot (repeated below) shows the File > Settings dialog box in the new Outlook. Are you saying that you are looking there because you can't access the corresponding settings in classic Outlook (for the affected account)?

The
Vijay 20 Reputation points

2026-11-01T07:42:31.1566667+00:00

I never configured any rules in outlook software.

All the rules were configured in the web version of the email. Hence the two different screenshots.
Stefan Blom 357.3K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2026-11-01T10:43:25.4533333+00:00

Sorry, I must be missing something. Since you are asking about classic Outlook, I wondered why your screen shot is from the new Outlook.
Vijay 20 Reputation points

2026-11-01T11:19:19.5333333+00:00

I don't use the new outlook. It's not even installed on my computer.

The screenshot of the band which says the emails are being forwarded is from the Outlook classic software. The screenshot of the settings page is from Outlook Web which I use to set up rules.
Stefan Blom 357.3K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2026-11-01T11:22:21.5+00:00

The screenshot of the settings page is from Outlook Web which I use to set up rules.

Indeed, Outlook web has an interface which is very similar to that of the new Outlook. Thanks for the clarification.
Vijay 20 Reputation points

2026-11-01T07:43:44.36+00:00

Thanks. This seems to have worked.

Strange considering there was no rules configured in the software.

Answer 1

That banner in Classic Outlook can also be caused by a rule that forwards or redirects mail, even when Mail > Forwarding is turned off.

For Classic Outlook, check and remove any forwarding or redirect rule for that specific account:

In Outlook, go to Home > Rules > Manage Rules & Alerts.
If multiple accounts are configured, on the Email Rules tab make sure Apply changes to this folder is set to the affected mailbox.
Review the rules list for anything that:
- forwards it to people or public group
- forwards it to people or public group as an attachment
- redirect it to people or public group
Disable or delete any rule sending mail to an address that was not intentionally configured.
Select Apply and OK.

Why this happens:

Outlook supports automatic forwarding in two different ways:
- Mail > Forwarding
- Inbox rules in Classic Outlook
So it is possible for forwarding to remain active through a rule even when the Forwarding setting shows disabled.

Since the password was already changed, the next step is specifically to check Rules for that mailbox. If a suspicious rule is found, remove it.