Outlook.com automatically disables forwarding immediately after saving, even with 2FA enabled

Hello,

I am experiencing an issue with automatic forwarding on several newly created Outlook.com accounts.

Two-step verification is already enabled.

When I go to Mail > Forwarding and IMAP, enable forwarding, enter a destination address and save the setting, it appears to save successfully. However, as soon as I refresh the page, forwarding is automatically turned off again.

I tested several different destination addresses, including:

• Gmail • Another Outlook.com account • My own custom-domain email address

The result is exactly the same with every destination, so this does not appear to be an issue with the receiving mail server.

I also tried using an Inbox Rule with “Forward to”. The rule initially worked, but Outlook later automatically disabled it.

I generated an Outlook diagnostic report. The forwarding rule still exists and the destination address is saved correctly, but its rule state shows:

StateFlags="ExitAfterExecution"

instead of an enabled state containing:

Enabled

I have also checked the Microsoft Account Recent Activity page and do not see any unauthorized or suspicious sign-ins.

This appears to be a mailbox-level or service-level restriction that is automatically disabling external forwarding.

Could someone from Microsoft please confirm whether Outlook.com applies an anti-abuse or security restriction to automatic forwarding on new accounts, and whether there is a way to have this restriction reviewed or removed?

Thank you.