How do i get emails sent to myself to NOT go to junk or spam

Question

Any email that I try to BCC or Copy to myself using the same email address goes into SPAM folder. I moved them, and even have DELETED the SPAM folder. Now they just go to JUNK folder. I have created a rule that will send them to me INBOX, I have tried to add myself to the safe senders account. I have taken them and moved from SPAM/Junk to INBOX. Only for them to go BACK to Junk in a matter of minutes. This started in MID January 2026 from what I can tell. I have been using OFFICE 365 for over a decade now. This is occuring on the web site as well as the desktop app.

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Moved from Microsoft 365 and Office | Other

Answer 1

Hi Charlie Smith,

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A.

From what you described (it happens in Outlook on the web and New Outlook, and the message can jump back to Junk within minutes), the core of the AI answer is correct: this behavior often comes from server‑side junk filtering, which happens before rules and can also override manual moves.

That said, the AI reply mixes in some work/school “tenant policy” wording that typically doesn’t apply to Outlook for home/personal accounts.

What to try next (quick checks):

1. In Outlook on the web, open one of those emails in Junk and choose “It’s not junk” (don’t only move it, this helps train the filter).
2. Recheck Settings > Mail > Junk email and confirm your address/domain is listed under Safe senders, and not under Blocked.
3. If it still happens, double‑check how the email is being sent (for example: an alias, scanner, app, service, or anything using SMTP/automation). That’s a very common reason messages sent “from me to me” get flagged.

If you reply with how you’re sending those emails (from Outlook itself vs a device/app/service), we can narrow down the most likely cause quickly.

Please let me know if this proves useful to you, or if you would like further assistance.

I'm looking forward to your reply.

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Answer 2

Because junk filtering happens on the server before rules and manual moves, the mailbox is still treating messages “from you to you” as junk even after moving them or creating rules. Use the built‑in junk settings and Safe lists rather than only rules.

Try these steps in Outlook on the web / new Outlook (applies across desktop and web):

1. Add own address/domain as Safe Sender
   1. In Outlook on the web or new Outlook, select Settings > Mail > Junk email.
   2. Under Safe senders and domains, select Add safe sender and enter the full email address (and optionally the domain, for example contoso.com).
   3. Select OK, then Save.
2. Ensure address is not blocked
   1. In the same Junk email settings page, look under Blocked senders and Blocked domains.
   2. If the own address or domain appears there, select it and choose Remove, then Save.
3. Use Safe Senders and Recipients instead of only rules
   1. In Outlook Web App classic: Settings > Mail > Block or allow.
   2. Under Safe senders and recipients, enter the email address in Enter a sender or domain here, then select Add and Save.
   3. Optionally select Trust email from my contacts if the own address is in Contacts.
4. Tighten junk behavior in Block or allow
   1. Still under Block or allow, confirm Automatically filter junk email is selected (not “Don’t move email to my Junk Email folder,” which can conflict with admin spam actions).
   2. Make sure Don’t trust email unless it comes from someone in my Safe Senders and Recipients list or local senders is not checked unless the own address is definitely in Safe Senders and Recipients.
5. In classic Outlook desktop
   1. Find one of the misclassified messages in Junk.
   2. Right‑click it, point to Junk, and select Never Block Sender.
   3. Optionally open Home tab > Junk > Junk Email Options… and set the filter level (e.g., from High down to No Automatic Filtering if server‑side filtering is already in place).

If the mailbox is hosted in Microsoft 365, the service’s spam policies can still override client rules. If messages continue to be moved back to Junk within minutes even after adding the address/domain to Safe Senders and confirming it is not blocked, the issue is likely due to a server‑side spam policy or a recent service‑side change. In that case, contact Microsoft 365 support so they can review the mailbox’s spam verdicts and any tenant‑level policies affecting self‑sent mail.

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References:

• Filter junk email and spam in Outlook
• Block or allow (junk email settings)
• Block or unblock senders in Outlook
• Description of the policy for how e-mail is filtered by the junk e-mail filters in Outlook or in Exchange Server