Block a sender in Hotmail or Outlook.com

Open the email from the sender you want to block. Click the three dots (more actions) at the top right of the message. Select Block from the menu. Outlook will move all future emails from that address to your Junk folder automatically.

If you want to block someone without opening their email, right-click the message in your inbox and choose Block from the context menu. The result is the same — their emails go straight to Junk.

Once you block a sender, you can still see their emails if you check your Junk folder. If you want them deleted instead, you can set up a rule to delete them permanently, which is covered in the section below.

Key Takeaways

  • Blocking a sender in Hotmail or Outlook.com sends their future emails to your Junk folder, not to deletion.
  • You can block someone by opening their email, clicking the three dots, and selecting Block.
  • Right-clicking an email in your inbox and choosing Block works the same way without opening the message.
  • To delete blocked emails instead of moving them to Junk, create a rule that automatically deletes messages from that sender.
  • You can unblock a sender at any time in your Blocked Senders list under Settings.

Block multiple addresses from the same person or domain

If someone is sending you emails from different addresses, blocking each one individually takes time. Instead, you can block an entire domain — for example, blocking @example.com will catch all addresses that end with that domain.

To block a domain, go to Settings (the gear icon), then Mail, then Junk email. Under Blocked senders and domains, type the domain name (like @example.com) and click Add. All emails from any address at that domain will now go to Junk.

This approach works well if you are being harassed by someone using multiple accounts or if you want to block all mail from a company you no longer want to hear from.

Create a rule to delete blocked emails automatically

By default, blocked emails land in your Junk folder where you can still see them. If you want them deleted without you ever seeing them, create a rule instead of using the Block button.

Go to Settings, then Mail, then Rules. Click Add new rule. Under When the message arrives, select From and type the sender's email address. Under Do the following, select Delete. Click Save.

From that point on, emails from that address will be deleted automatically and will not appear in your inbox or Junk folder. You can modify or delete the rule later if you change your mind.

Unblock a sender you blocked by mistake

If you blocked someone and want to receive their emails again, you can unblock them. Go to Settings, then Mail, then Junk email. Look for Blocked senders and domains and find the address or domain you want to unblock. Click the X next to it to remove it from the list.

Once you unblock them, their emails will no longer go to Junk. They will arrive in your inbox like any other message. If you had created a deletion rule instead of using the Block button, you will need to delete that rule separately in the Rules section.

Difference between blocking and rules

Blocking sends emails to Junk but keeps them there so you can review them if needed. Rules let you delete, move to a folder, or perform other actions automatically. If you just want to stop seeing someone's emails in your inbox, blocking is simpler. If you want them gone completely or moved to a specific folder, a rule gives you more control.

You can use both at the same time — for example, block a sender to move their emails to Junk, then create a rule to delete them after a certain number of days. This gives you a grace period to recover an email if you blocked someone by mistake, while still keeping your inbox clean.

What happens to emails you already received

Blocking a sender only affects new emails going forward. Emails you already received from that person stay in your inbox unless you delete them manually. If you want to clean up old messages, select them in your inbox and delete them, or move them to a folder.

If you blocked someone and then unblock them later, the old emails remain where they are — unblocking does not restore deleted messages or move emails back from Junk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the sender know I blocked them?

No. Outlook does not notify senders when you block them. Their emails straightforward go to your Junk folder, and they have no way of knowing unless they check with you directly or notice you stopped responding.

Can I block emails by subject line or keyword?

The Block button only works with sender addresses. To filter by subject line or keyword, use Rules instead. Go to Settings, Mail, Rules, and select Subject contains or Body contains to catch emails with specific words.

What if someone is harassing me through multiple new addresses?

Block the domain they are using (for example, @gmail.com blocks all Gmail addresses). If they are using many different domains, create a rule that deletes emails containing specific words or phrases they use repeatedly. You can also report the harassment to Outlook by clicking the three dots and selecting Report phishing or Report junk.

Can I block emails on my phone?

Yes. In the Outlook mobile app, open an email, tap the three dots, and select Block. The process is the same as on a computer. Rules created on your computer will also explore to emails you receive on your phone.

If I block someone, will they see my read receipts or typing indicators?

No. Once you block a sender, Outlook does not send them read receipts or show them when you are typing. They will not receive any notification that you are online or have seen their messages.