Can we disable the reactions to emails across our entire business?

Question

Is there a way to completely remove the option to "react" to emails? It is incredibly unprofessional, unhelpful, and serves no benefit. We would like to remove that option from an Admin level to prevent the options entirely in our business. I have seen the previously asked questions being told it is a "per email" option and can be added with a rule but this doesn't prevent anyone from reacting to emails. We want the option removed entirely at the Admin-level. Emails are important for documentation trails, confirmations, and the reactions options defeats this entirely. I could see this for a personal email plan but for our business, we need this to be removed entirely.

Answer 1

Hi Miranda Shain

Thank you for posting your question on Microsoft Q&A and sharing your concerns regarding the email reactions feature in Outlook.

I understand that maintaining a professional communication environment is important for your organization, and I appreciate your feedback on how this feature impacts your workflow.

I have noticed that some organizations have explored the possibility of disabling reactions using Group Policy (GPO) or similar administrative tools. However, at this time, Microsoft does not offer a direct option at the admin level or via GPO to completely remove or disable the reactions feature across all platforms. There are no controls in Exchange Admin Center or transport rules (mail flow rules) that can suppress reactions, since they are a client‑side experience rather than part of the email message itself. Today, the only available option is for individual users to turn reactions off in their personal Outlook settings. Microsoft product team is aware of this need and is actively developing more granular administrative controls for the future.

For your reference, Microsoft has published a public usability update that explains the current state of the reactions feature, recent improvements, and upcoming changes. You can review here: Reactions in Outlook: Public usability update September 2023.

Additionally, we would greatly appreciate it if you could share your feedback directly with us through the Feedback feature in Outlook. Your input is incredibly valuable and will help us address issues more promptly and effectively. You can send your feedback to Microsoft by open Outlook or Go to Help > Feedback Or visiting this link: Ideas · Community

I hope this helps. Feel free to let me know if you have any other questions.

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Answer 2

It is possible to disable reactions at the exchange level using a transport rule in mail flow

Mail Flow -> Rules -> Add a rule
Name: Disable reactions
Apply this rule if: Apply to all messages
Do the following:
"Modify the message properties" and "set a message header"
Set the message header: x-ms-reactions
to the value: disallow
Rule mode: Enforce
Match sender address in message: Header
Comment: As necessary
Next -> Finish -> Done

Crates the rule but it will be disabled
Click the rule and enable it when the the summary pane shows.

Answer 3

Unfortunately there isn't such option. If you are using the classic Outlook client, it might be possible to disable the reaction button via GPO/the disabledcmdbaritemslist reg key, however you need to know the actual control ID, and afaik the latest version of the workbook Microsoft publishes with said controls does not list it.

Just in case you want to try that method, you can find instructions in Diane's article: https://www.slipstick.com/how-to-outlook/group-policy-disable-commands/