How To Block Sender In Outlook : Create Sender Block Rules

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Outlook’s right-click menu offers a quick way to block a sender and move future messages straight to junk. Learning how to block sender in Outlook is essential for keeping your inbox clean and free from spam or unwanted emails. Whether you use Outlook for work or personal email, blocking annoying senders takes just a few clicks.

This guide covers all the methods you need. You will learn the steps for Outlook desktop, web, and mobile apps. We also include tips for managing blocked senders and handling tricky situations like newsletters or mailing lists.

Why Block A Sender In Outlook

Blocking a sender stops their emails from reaching your inbox. Instead, future messages go directly to your Junk Email folder. This is different from simply deleting an email or unsubscribing from a list.

Blocking is useful when you receive spam, harassment, or unwanted marketing emails. It also helps if a former colleague or client keeps emailing you after you have asked them to stop.

One important note: blocking a sender does not notify them. They will not know you blocked their address. The email just disappears from your view.

What Happens After You Block A Sender

  • All future emails from that address go to Junk Email folder
  • Existing emails from that sender stay in your inbox unless you move them manually
  • Blocked senders cannot send you calendar invites or meeting requests
  • You can unblock a sender anytime if you change your mind

How To Block Sender In Outlook (Desktop App)

The desktop version of Outlook (part of Microsoft 365 or Office) offers the most straightforward method. Follow these steps to block a sender quickly.

Method 1: Right-Click Block

  1. Open Outlook on your computer
  2. Go to your Inbox folder
  3. Find an email from the sender you want to block
  4. Right-click on the email message
  5. From the context menu, select Junk then Block Sender
  6. A confirmation dialog appears. Click OK to confirm

That is it. The sender is now blocked. All future emails from this address will land in your Junk Email folder. You can also block a sender from the reading pane by right-clicking the sender’s name or email address.

Method 2: Block From The Ribbon

  1. Select an email from the sender you want to block
  2. On the Home tab of the ribbon, find the Delete group
  3. Click the Junk dropdown button
  4. Choose Block Sender from the list
  5. Click OK when prompted

This method works the same as the right-click approach. Some users prefer the ribbon because it keeps their hands on the keyboard and mouse in a consistent way.

Method 3: Block From Message Header

  1. Double-click an email from the sender to open it in a new window
  2. Look at the top of the message where the sender’s name and email appear
  3. Right-click on the sender’s name or email address
  4. Select Junk then Block Sender
  5. Confirm with OK

This method is helpful if you are reading an email in full view and want to block the sender without going back to the inbox.

How To Block Sender In Outlook (Web Version)

Outlook on the web (also called Outlook.com or Outlook Web App) has a slightly different interface. The steps are still simple.

Blocking A Sender In Outlook.com

  1. Sign in to Outlook.com in your browser
  2. Open your Inbox
  3. Find an email from the sender you want to block
  4. Right-click the message (or click the three dots … next to the message)
  5. Select Block from the menu
  6. Click Block again in the confirmation pop-up

Alternatively, you can open the email and click the three dots in the top-right corner of the message pane. Choose Block from the dropdown.

Blocking A Sender In Outlook Web App (Work/School)

  1. Go to Outlook Web App for your organization
  2. Open your Inbox
  3. Click the checkbox next to the email from the sender you want to block
  4. Click the Junk button in the toolbar (it looks like a stop sign with a trash can)
  5. Select Block from the dropdown
  6. Confirm the action

Note: Some organizations disable the block sender feature for security reasons. If you do not see the option, contact your IT administrator.

How To Block Sender In Outlook (Mobile App)

The Outlook mobile app for iOS and Android also lets you block senders. The process is slightly different depending on your device.

Block On IPhone Or IPad

  1. Open the Outlook app on your iPhone or iPad
  2. Go to your Inbox
  3. Find an email from the sender you want to block
  4. Swipe left on the message to reveal options
  5. Tap the More button (three dots)
  6. Select Block Sender from the list
  7. Tap Block to confirm

Block On Android

  1. Open the Outlook app on your Android phone
  2. Go to your Inbox
  3. Find an email from the sender you want to block
  4. Tap and hold the message to select it
  5. Tap the three dots in the top-right corner
  6. Choose Block Sender
  7. Tap Block to confirm

On both platforms, you can also open the email and tap the three dots in the top-right corner of the message. Select Block Sender from the menu.

Managing Blocked Senders List

After you block several senders, you might want to review or edit your list. You can also unblock a sender if you made a mistake or changed your mind.

View Blocked Senders In Outlook Desktop

  1. Open Outlook on your computer
  2. Click the Home tab
  3. In the Delete group, click Junk then Junk Email Options
  4. Go to the Blocked Senders tab
  5. You will see a list of all email addresses and domains you have blocked

Unblock A Sender In Outlook Desktop

  1. Follow the steps above to open the Blocked Senders list
  2. Select the sender you want to unblock
  3. Click the Remove button
  4. Click OK to save changes

After unblocking, future emails from that sender will appear in your inbox again.

View And Manage Blocked Senders In Outlook.com

  1. Sign in to Outlook.com
  2. Click the gear icon (Settings) in the top-right corner
  3. Select View all Outlook settings at the bottom
  4. Go to Mail then Junk email
  5. Under Blocked senders and domains, you will see your list
  6. To unblock, click the trash can icon next to the sender’s name

Blocking Domains Vs Individual Addresses

Sometimes you want to block an entire domain (like @spamcompany.com) instead of just one email address. This is useful when a company uses multiple addresses from the same domain.

Block A Domain In Outlook Desktop

  1. Open Junk Email Options (as shown above)
  2. Go to the Blocked Senders tab
  3. Click Add
  4. Type the domain name in the format @example.com
  5. Click OK twice

Block A Domain In Outlook.com

  1. Open Settings > Mail > Junk email
  2. Under Blocked senders and domains, type the domain in the box
  3. Click the Add button

Blocking a domain stops all emails from that domain, even if the sender uses a different address within the same domain.

What About Newsletters And Mailing Lists

Blocking a sender works well for individual spam emails. But for newsletters or mailing lists, blocking might not be the best solution. Many newsletters come from automated systems that use different sending addresses each time.

Instead of blocking, consider these options:

  • Unsubscribe: Look for the “Unsubscribe” link at the bottom of the email
  • Use rules: Create a rule to automatically delete or move emails from a specific sender
  • Mark as junk: This helps Outlook’s spam filter learn to recognize similar emails

Create A Rule To Move Emails

  1. Right-click an email from the sender
  2. Select Rules then Create Rule
  3. Choose conditions (like sender name or subject contains specific words)
  4. Choose actions (like delete it or move to a specific folder)
  5. Click OK

Rules give you more control than blocking. You can keep the emails but move them to a separate folder, or delete them automatically.

Common Issues When Blocking Senders

Sometimes blocking does not work as expected. Here are common problems and solutions.

Blocked Emails Still Appear In Inbox

This can happen if the sender uses a different email address each time. Check the full email header to see the actual sending address. Block that address instead.

Another reason: your organization might have email policies that override personal block lists. Contact your IT admin if this is a persistent issue.

Cannot Find Block Sender Option

If the Block Sender option is missing, you might be using an older version of Outlook. Update to the latest version. For work accounts, your admin might have disabled the feature.

Blocked Sender Still Sends Calendar Invites

Blocking a sender in Outlook only affects email messages. Calendar invites from blocked senders may still appear. To stop calendar spam, you need to adjust your calendar settings separately.

How To Block Sender In Outlook For Mac

Outlook for Mac has a different interface. The steps are similar but worth noting.

  1. Open Outlook for Mac
  2. Select an email from the sender you want to block
  3. Click the Message menu at the top
  4. Select Block Sender
  5. Confirm the action

You can also right-click the email and choose Block Sender from the context menu.

Using Safe Senders List

Outlook also has a Safe Senders list. Emails from senders on this list never go to Junk Email. This is useful if you want to ensure important emails from a specific sender always reach your inbox.

Add A Sender To Safe Senders List

  1. Open Junk Email Options
  2. Go to the Safe Senders tab
  3. Click Add
  4. Type the email address or domain
  5. Click OK

You can also check the box that says “Trust email from my contacts” to automatically treat people in your contacts as safe senders.

Blocking Senders In Outlook For Different Email Accounts

If you have multiple email accounts configured in Outlook (like Gmail, Yahoo, or iCloud), blocking works differently. The block list is specific to each email account.

For example, if you block a sender in your Outlook.com account, that block does not apply to your Gmail account within the same Outlook profile. You must block the sender separately for each account.

Privacy And Security Considerations

Blocking a sender is a privacy feature. It does not share your action with the sender. However, some advanced spam systems can detect that emails are not being opened. This is rare and not something most users need to worry about.

If you receive threatening or illegal emails, do not just block the sender. Report the emails to your email provider and local authorities if necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Block A Sender In Outlook Without Opening The Email?

Yes. Right-click the email in your inbox without opening it. Select Junk > Block Sender. You do not need to open the message.

Does Blocking A Sender In Outlook Delete Old Emails?

No. Blocking only affects future emails. Old emails from that sender remain in your inbox unless you manually delete them.

Can I Block A Sender In Outlook On My Phone?

Yes. The Outlook mobile app for iOS and Android includes a block sender option. Swipe left on a message or tap the three dots to find it.

How Do I Unblock A Sender In Outlook?

Go to Junk Email Options (desktop) or Settings > Mail > Junk email (web). Find the sender in the Blocked Senders list and remove them.

Will Blocking A Sender In Outlook Stop All Their Emails?

Yes, for that specific email address. If the sender uses multiple addresses, you need to block each one separately. Blocking a domain stops all emails from that domain.

Final Tips For Managing Unwanted Emails

Blocking is a powerful tool, but it is not the only one. Combine blocking with these practices for a cleaner inbox:

  • Regularly empty your Junk Email folder
  • Report spam to Microsoft by using the Junk button
  • Use the Sweep feature in Outlook.com to automatically delete old emails from a sender
  • Create inbox rules for recurring unwanted emails
  • Keep your email address private and avoid posting it publicly

Now you know exactly how to block sender in Outlook across all versions. Take a moment to block any annoying senders you have been tolerating. Your inbox will thank you.