Block a sender in three steps

To block a sender in Outlook, open any email from that person, click the three dots (more actions) at the top right, and select Block. Outlook will move future emails from that sender to your Junk folder automatically. You can also right-click a message and choose Block from the menu.

Once blocked, you won't see notifications for that sender's emails, and they'll go straight to Junk. You can unblock them later if you change your mind — the block isn't permanent.

The process works the same way in Outlook on the web, Outlook desktop, and the Outlook mobile app, though the menu location shifts slightly between versions.

Key Takeaways

  • Blocking a sender moves their future emails to Junk automatically and stops notifications from appearing.
  • You can block someone from any email they've sent you by clicking the three-dot menu and selecting Block.
  • Blocked senders can still email you — their messages just won't show up in your inbox or alert you.
  • You can unblock a sender at any time through your Junk folder settings or blocked senders list.

Block a sender in Outlook desktop

Open the email from the person you want to block. At the top of the message, look for the three dots (⋯) on the right side of the toolbar. Click it to open a dropdown menu.

Select Block from the menu. Outlook will ask you to confirm — click Block again. From that point forward, all emails from that sender go to your Junk folder, and you won't get a notification when they arrive.

If you don't see the three-dot menu, you may be using an older version of Outlook. In that case, right-click the email itself and look for a Block or Junk option in the context menu.

Block a sender in Outlook on the web

Log into Outlook.com or your work email through a web browser. Open any email from the sender you want to block.

Click the three dots at the top right of the message. Select Block from the menu. Outlook will confirm the block is active. All future emails from that address will land in Junk.

The web version works identically to the desktop app, so the steps are straightforward if you're used to either platform.

Block a sender on your phone or tablet

Open the Outlook mobile app and find an email from the sender you want to block. Tap the three dots in the top right corner of the message.

Tap Block from the menu that appears. The app will confirm the block. On both iPhone and Android, blocked senders' emails go to Junk and you won't receive notifications.

Mobile blocking works when ready across all your devices — if you block someone on your phone, they're blocked in Outlook desktop and on the web as well.

Unblock a sender if you change your mind

To unblock someone, go to your Junk folder and find an email from that sender. Open it, click the three dots, and select Unblock. The sender will move back to your normal inbox rules, and you'll receive their emails like anyone else.

In Outlook on the web, you can also manage your blocked senders list directly. Click the gear icon (settings), go to Mail > Junk email, and look for the Blocked Senders section. You can add or remove addresses there without needing an email from them first.

Unblocking is when ready — there's no waiting period, and the sender won't know you've unblocked them.

What happens when you block someone

When you block a sender, Outlook doesn't delete their old emails or prevent them from sending to you. Instead, their messages bypass your inbox and go straight to Junk. You won't see a notification badge or alert when they email you.

The blocked sender has no way of knowing they're blocked — their email still goes through on their end, and they won't receive a bounce-back message. From your perspective, it's as if their emails don't exist.

Blocking is different from unsubscribing. If someone sends you marketing emails with an unsubscribe link, clicking that link removes you from their mailing list entirely. Blocking just hides their messages from your view.

Block a domain instead of a single address

If you're getting spam from multiple addresses at the same company or domain (like spam@company.com, noreply@company.com, and support@company.com), blocking each address individually takes time. Outlook doesn't have a built-in "block entire domain" feature in the main interface.

Instead, create a rule to send all mail from that domain to Junk. In Outlook desktop, go to Home > Rules > Junk Email > Blocked Senders List. You can add a domain pattern like *@company.com to catch all addresses from that sender.

In Outlook on the web, go to Settings > Mail > Junk email and add the domain to your blocked senders. This approach catches new addresses from the same company without you having to block them one at a time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a blocked sender see that I blocked them?

No. When you block someone, their email still sends successfully from their end. They receive no notification or bounce-back message. They have no way of knowing you blocked them unless you tell them.

Do blocked emails disappear from my inbox?

No. Emails that arrived before you blocked someone stay in your inbox. Only new emails from that sender go to Junk. If you want to remove old messages, you can delete them manually or create a rule to move past emails to Junk as well.

What's the difference between blocking and marking as spam?

Blocking and marking as spam do the same thing in Outlook — both send future emails to Junk and stop notifications. The terms are used interchangeably. Marking as spam may also help train Outlook's filter to catch similar messages from other senders.

Can I block an email address that hasn't sent me anything yet?

Not directly through the Block button. You need an email from someone to block them using the standard method. If you want to block an address preemptively, create a rule in Junk Email settings or add them to your blocked senders list manually through Settings.

Will blocking someone stop them from seeing my read receipts?

No. Blocking only affects incoming mail. If you've turned on read receipts, a blocked sender can still see when you open their emails — they just won't see them in your inbox because they're in Junk. Turn off read receipts in your settings if you want to hide that information.