'%3e%3cpath%20d='M8%200C12.4183%200%2016%203.58172%2016%208C16%2012.4183%2012.4183%2016%208%2016C3.58172%2016%200%2012.4183%200%208C0%203.58172%203.58172%200%208%200ZM11.6162%204.38379C11.2257%203.99337%2010.5927%203.99338%2010.2021%204.38379L8%206.58594L5.79785%204.38379C5.40732%203.99334%204.77429%203.99329%204.38379%204.38379C3.99331%204.77429%203.99335%205.40733%204.38379%205.79785L6.58594%208L4.38379%2010.2021C3.99348%2010.5927%203.99341%2011.2257%204.38379%2011.6162C4.77426%2012.0066%205.40734%2012.0065%205.79785%2011.6162L8%209.41406L10.2021%2011.6162C10.5927%2012.0066%2011.2257%2012.0067%2011.6162%2011.6162C12.0067%2011.2257%2012.0066%2010.5927%2011.6162%2010.2021L9.41406%208L11.6162%205.79785C12.0066%205.40735%2012.0066%204.77429%2011.6162%204.38379Z'%20fill='%23080E17'%20fill-opacity='0.46'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0_3761_713'%3e%3crect%20width='16'%20height='16'%20fill='white'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
How to Stop Exchange Online Mail Forwarding from Reappearing
Question details
The user needs to permanently remove an SMTP mail forwarding setup that keeps reactivating automatically.
- Product
- Exchange Online
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- A user mailbox has recently been converted into a shared mailbox, and previous forwarding settings are persisting.
- Observed behavior
- SMTP forwarding rules reappear persistently even after they are manually deleted in the system.
Ensure you have Exchange Administrator permissions and have access to either the Exchange Admin Center or Exchange Online PowerShell before modifying mailbox routing settings.
Clear Forwarding Rules using Exchange Online PowerShell
Using PowerShell is the most reliable method to force the removal of persistent forwarding addresses on a mailbox.
When GUI portals fail to permanently remove a forwarding rule due to synchronization issues, Exchange Online PowerShell can directly overwrite the mailbox properties to ensure all forwarding is nullified.
Open PowerShell as an administrator and connect to your Exchange Online environment using your admin credentials.
Execute the following command, replacing <User ID> with the actual email address or alias of the shared mailbox: Set-Mailbox -Identity <User ID> -DeliveryToMailboxAndForward $False -ForwardingAddress $Null
Run Get-Mailbox -Identity <User ID> | Format-List ForwardingAddress,DeliverToMailboxAndForward to confirm that the forwarding address is now blank and the delivery flag is set to False.
Identify Hidden Rules via Message Trace and Admin Centers
If forwarding persists, track down where the conflicting setting was originally configured using a message trace.
Looking for a Lightweight Office Suite? Try WPS Office
While managing your Exchange Online and Outlook configurations, consider WPS Office for your document creation needs. It offers a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office, ensuring a seamless workflow without heavy subscriptions.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded executable file and follow the simple on-screen prompts to complete the setup.
- 3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office to easily open, edit, and save all your existing Microsoft Office files.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does mail forwarding reappear after I delete it in a shared mailbox?
This usually happens due to synchronization conflicts when the forwarding rule was originally configured in a different portal (like the classic Exchange Admin Center or Outlook on the web) before the user mailbox was converted to a shared mailbox.
Can I remove mail forwarding directly from the Microsoft 365 Admin Center?
Yes, you can navigate to Teams & groups > Shared mailboxes, click on the specific mailbox, and edit the 'Email forwarding' option. However, if the rule persistently returns, using Exchange Online PowerShell is the recommended fix.
What does a message trace do in Exchange Online?
A message trace is a diagnostic tool found in the Exchange Admin Center that tracks an email message as it travels through your Exchange Online service. It helps administrators pinpoint exactly which active mail-flow setting or hidden rule is triggering unwanted forwarding.
