SPAM email is not being monitored

Question

I continue to receive 50 or so spam emails each day since moving to the new Outlook several months ago. Can someone give me the exact steps to take to correct this issue on Windows 11 / Microsoft 365? I have reviewed the settings, and everything looks to be good. However, there is nothing that specifically addresses Spam emails.

Regards,

Darryl

Answer 1

Hi Darryl Holley, 

I am sorry to hear that you are dealing with such a high volume of spam after your transition to the New Outlook.

To help you manage this, it is important to understand a key technical change: In Classic Outlook, the app had a built-in local filter that scanned messages directly on your computer. The New Outlook is entirely cloud-based; it relies on Microsoft’s backend servers to catch spam before it even reaches your app. Because that local software filter is no longer there, any patterns the server misses will drop straight into your Inbox. 

To improve your protection, please try these specific steps: 

Option 1. Adjust Spam Settings at the Source (Webmail) 

Because the New Outlook app mirrors the settings of your third-party email provider, the most effective way to stop these emails is to manage them directly at the source. 

1. Open a web browser and log into your email provider's official webmail portal (e.g., Yahoo.com, Gmail.com, or your internet service provider's website). 
2. Locate the Spam, Junk, or Security settings directly within their website interface. 
3. Set up your strict filters or add the unwanted addresses to your blocked senders list there. 

Once you block these senders at the server level, the server will stop forwarding those emails to your New Outlook app. 

Option 2. Revert to Classic Outlook

If the New Outlook’s cloud filtering is not meeting your needs, your best option is to switch back to the Classic version where the local Junk Email Filter still exists: 

Click the Help tab at the top of New Outlook and select Go to classic Outlook (or simply toggle the "New Outlook" switch in the top right corner to Off). 

I hope these steps help you regain control over your inbox. Please let me know if you have any other questions as you adjust these settings! 

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Answer 2

Under Settings > Mail, there is NO Junk email option to go to.

I move every Spam email each day to Junk email, but this does not reduce the number of spam emails I receive each day.

Answer 3

On Windows 11 with Microsoft 365 using the new Outlook, spam control is handled through the Junk Email settings and the built‑in Junk Email Filter. To reduce the spam reaching the Inbox, configure and use these features as follows.

1. Open the new Outlook for Windows and make sure the correct account is selected (if more than one account is added).
2. Select Settings (gear icon).
3. Go to Mail > Junk email.

Configure blocking for obvious spam senders/domains:

4. Under Blocked senders:
   • Enter the email address of a spam sender and select Add to block that address, or
   • Under Blocked domains, enter the domain (the part after @, for example spammer.com) and select Add to block all mail from that domain.
5. Select Save.

This will move future messages from those senders/domains directly to Junk Email.

Ensure wanted mail is not treated as junk:

6. In the same Junk email settings page, add trusted contacts or domains as Safe senders (via the Safe Senders/Safe Recipients options referenced in the article) so their messages are not moved to Junk. See “Add recipients of my email messages to the Safe Senders List” from the same documentation set for details.

Use the Junk Email Filter and related protections:

7. Rely on the built‑in Junk E‑mail Filter in Outlook, which automatically evaluates incoming messages and moves suspected spam to the Junk E‑mail folder. This is always on in supported Outlook versions and does not require separate activation.
8. Keep external content blocking turned on so spammers cannot confirm the address is active. By default, Outlook blocks automatic picture downloads and other external content in HTML messages; only unblock external content for trusted senders. See “Block or unblock automatic picture downloads in email messages” for details.
9. Avoid responding to suspicious messages, including read/delivery receipts or meeting requests from unknown senders, as this can confirm the address to spammers.

Ongoing housekeeping:

10. Regularly review the Junk Email folder to:
    • Mark any legitimate messages as Not junk (which helps train the filter and/or add them to Safe Senders), and
    • Delete remaining junk. Note that in new Outlook, items in Junk Email are automatically removed after 14 days and cannot be recovered after that.

These steps use the Junk Email settings, Blocked Senders/Domains, Safe Senders, and the built‑in Junk Email Filter to reduce the volume of spam that appears in the Inbox while keeping legitimate mail flowing.

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References:

• Filter junk email and spam in Outlook
• Block or unblock senders in Outlook
• 10 tips on how to help reduce spam