Send & Receive Issues

How to Reduce Spam in Outlook with Microsoft 365

Muhammad Talha Oct 12, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to reduce the amount of spam and junk mail arriving in their Outlook inbox while using Microsoft 365.

How to Reduce Spam in Outlook with Microsoft 365

Product: Microsoft Outlook
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Managing unwanted emails that continue to bypass the default spam filtering and reach the main inbox.
Observed behavior: Spam and phishing emails successfully reach the main inbox even after previous messages have been deleted or moved to the Junk Email folder.

Before you start

Avoid opening attachments, clicking embedded links, or providing personal information in any suspicious email before you update your security preferences.

Solution 1Recommended

Adjust Junk Email Settings and Report Spam

Train your Outlook spam filter by consistently reporting suspicious messages and managing your blocked sender list.

While Microsoft 365 offers built-in filtering, actively reporting messages is the most effective way to improve long-term spam detection for your specific inbox.

Report as Junk or Phishing

Select the unwanted email in your inbox. Click the 'Report' button in the top ribbon and choose 'Report Junk' or 'Report Phishing' to help improve Microsoft's filtering algorithms.

Block the Sender

Right-click the spam email, hover over 'Junk' in the context menu, and select 'Block Sender' to route all future emails from this specific address directly to the Junk Email folder.

Review Blocked and Safe Senders

Go to Settings (the gear icon) > Mail > Junk email. Here, you can manually add specific addresses or entire domains to your Blocked senders list or ensure trusted contacts are on your Safe senders list.

Adjust Junk Email Settings and Report Spam

Continuous Training: Consistently reporting spam helps Outlook learn your preferences over time, making the automated filters more accurate.

Solution 2

Create Custom Rules to Filter Unwanted Emails

Set up specific inbox rules to automatically move emails containing common spam keywords directly to the Junk folder.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does Microsoft 365 Basic guarantee a completely spam-free inbox?

No email service can prevent all spam. Microsoft 365 Basic primarily removes ads from the Outlook interface, but some unwanted messages can still bypass the filtering system. You must actively report spam and adjust your junk email settings to keep your inbox clean.

What should I do if a message looks like it's from my bank but seems fraudulent?

Never click links or open attachments in the email, and do not reply with personal information. Instead, contact the sender's organization or your bank directly through their official website or customer service phone number to verify the communication.

Will reporting an email as junk immediately stop all spam from that sender?

Reporting an email helps train Microsoft's spam filtering algorithms over time, but it may not instantly block the sender. To immediately stop receiving emails from a specific address, you should use the 'Block Sender' feature.

Why am I still receiving spam after blocking a sender?

Spammers often use 'email spoofing' or constantly change their sending addresses. While you blocked one specific address, the spammer may be sending similar messages from a new, slightly different email address. Setting up custom rules based on keywords can help catch these variations.

Outlook & Email Problems