Send & Receive Issues

How to Reduce Spam and Advertisements in Outlook and Microsoft 365

Bushra Parveen Oct 16, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is experiencing a high volume of spam and unwanted advertisements in Outlook and Microsoft 365 despite unsubscribing and blocking senders.

How to Reduce Spam and Advertisements in Outlook and Microsoft 365

Product: Microsoft Outlook / Microsoft 365
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Managing incoming email and cleaning up the inbox to reduce unsolicited messages.
Observed behavior: Unwanted advertisements and spam continue to appear in the inbox even after applying basic blocking and unsubscribing actions.

Before you start

Before adjusting your spam filters, review your 'Junk Email' folder to ensure no legitimate and important messages are currently being falsely flagged.

Solution 1Recommended

Configure Outlook's Junk Email Filter and Block Senders

Utilize Outlook's built-in junk email filtering and blocking tools to stop persistent spam.

While no system can block 100% of spam, combining Outlook's Junk Email filter with manual blocking drastically reduces unwanted mail. Please note that while Microsoft 365 subscriptions remove interface banner ads in Outlook.com, they do not automatically stop third-party junk mail.

Mark messages as junk

Right-click the spam email in your inbox, select 'Junk' from the context menu, and then click 'Block Sender'.

Adjust the Junk Filter level

Navigate to the 'Home' tab, click 'Junk', select 'Junk Email Options', and set the protection level to 'High'.

Unsubscribe from legitimate lists

Open an unwanted newsletter and click the 'Unsubscribe' link typically found at the very top or bottom of the message.

Configure Outlook's Junk Email Filter and Block Senders

Handling Phishing Attempts: If you receive an email asking for personal information or money, do not reply. Instead, use the 'Report Phishing' button in Outlook to help improve Microsoft's spam filters.

Solution 2

Optimize Account Privacy and Handling Settings

Adjust your email handling settings and online habits to prevent your address from being targeted by spammers.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does a Microsoft 365 subscription stop all spam?

No. A Microsoft 365 Personal or Family subscription removes advertising banners from the Outlook.com web interface, but it does not stop unsolicited junk mail or newsletters you have previously subscribed to.

Why do I still get emails from blocked senders?

Spammers frequently change their email addresses and spoof domains. Even if you block a specific sender, they may use a slightly different address to bypass your blocked senders list.

How can blocking external images reduce spam?

Many spam emails contain tiny, invisible tracking images (pixels). When your email client automatically downloads these images, it sends a signal to the spammer that your email address is active, leading to more spam. Blocking images severs this tracking link.

Is it safe to click 'unsubscribe' on spam emails?

You should only use the unsubscribe link for legitimate, recognized newsletters. Clicking unsubscribe on malicious spam can actually confirm your email is active to hackers. For unrecognized spam, it is safer to just block the sender and delete the email.

Outlook & Email Problems