How to Block a Sender by Email Address in Outlook Mail

This article demonstrates how to block messages from an email address or domain in Outlook.com.

Blocking Senders by Email Address in Outlook.com

There are a couple of ways to block those spam senders in Outlook.com. The first way is from email that enters your inbox folder. To set up a rule in Outlook Mail on the web that deletes all messages from a sender and removes all current messages from the same sender:

1. Select the Inbox option on the left side to view your emails, then double-click the email to open a message from the sender you want to block.

   Alternatively, if you have the Reading Pane on, select the email so that you see the contents to the right\bottom of the screen.

2. On the Outlook Mail toolbar located at the top, select Sweep.

3. In the For email from dialog box, you will be given 4 different options for sweeping the email. To block and move all messages, select Move all messages from the Inbox folder and any future messages.

4. Select the Move to dropdown arrow and then select Deleted Items.

5. Select OK to finish.

6. Outlook.com moves all messages from the specified address in the current folder to the Deleted Items folder and adds the sender to your list of blocked senders.

Blocking Senders from Your Junk Email Folder

If you receive email in your Junk Email folder, that doesn't necessarily mean that the sender is automatically blocked. You may have to setup blocking on these senders as well. The process is slightly different, but simple to do.

1. If you have the Reading Pane on, select the email in your Junk Email folder.

   Alternatively, double-click to open the email.

2. At the top, in the Outlook Mail toolbar, select the dropdown labeled Not junk, then select Block.

   If you opened the email, select Block at the top of the email.

3. Select OK to confirm blocking emails from the sender.

What Happens to Messages from Blocked Senders

Messages from senders on your blocked senders list are discarded without notice. You and the sender are not notified, and the messages do not appear in your Deleted Items or Junk Email folders.

Block Domains in Outlook on the Web

To move messages from a domain to the Deleted Items folder:

1. Select Settings.

2. Select View all Outlook settings.

3. Select Mail > Junk email.

4. In the Blocked senders and domains section, select Add. Then enter the domain you want to block.

5. Press Enter to add the domain to the blocked senders list.

6. Select Save, then close the Settings dialog box.

Block Senders and Domains to Block Spam

Blocking specific senders or domains may not stop junk emails since spam rarely comes twice from the same address. To combat spam, report junk emails that make it to your Outlook.com Inbox. This procedure teaches the spam filters to recognize and filter similar messages in the future. You should also report phishing scams.