The fastest way to block someone in Outlook

To block an email address in Outlook, open any message from that sender, click the three dots (more actions menu) at the top right, and select Block. Outlook will move all future messages from that address to your Junk folder automatically. You do not need to do anything else — the block takes effect when ready.

If you are using Outlook on the web, the steps are the same: open the message, click the three dots, and choose Block. The sender will not be notified that you blocked them, and they will not see a delivery failure message.

On a phone or tablet running Outlook mobile, swipe left on the message (iPhone) or long-press it (Android), then tap Block. The result is identical — future messages land in Junk.

Key Takeaways

  • Blocking a sender in Outlook routes their future messages to your Junk folder, not to a separate blocked list.
  • You can block someone from an open message in three clicks, or from the sender's name in your inbox.
  • Blocked senders cannot tell they are blocked, and Outlook does not send them a bounce-back message.
  • If you change your mind, you can unblock the address from Junk folder settings or by removing them from your blocked senders list.
  • Blocking works across all your Outlook devices once you set it up — desktop, web, and mobile all stay in sync.

Blocking someone directly from your inbox

You do not have to open a message to block the sender. In Outlook on the desktop, right-click the message in your inbox and select Block from the menu. On Outlook.com (web), hover over the message, click the three dots that appear, and choose Block.

This method is faster if you have multiple messages from the same person and want to block them without reading the content. The block still takes effect when ready, and all future messages go to Junk.

Where blocked messages actually go

When you block someone, Outlook does not delete their messages or hide them in a special folder. Instead, it sends them to your Junk folder, the same place spam and phishing emails land. You can still see blocked messages if you check Junk — they are just out of your main inbox.

This matters because if you block someone by mistake, you can find their old messages in Junk and unblock them. It also means blocked senders can still reach you if they use a different email address.

Unblocking an address if you change your mind

To unblock someone in Outlook on the desktop, go to File > Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings > Safe Senders & Block List. Click the Blocked Senders tab, find the address you want to unblock, select it, and click Remove.

On Outlook.com, click the gear icon in the top right, select View all Outlook settings, go to Mail > Junk email, and find the Blocked senders section. Click the X next to any address to unblock it.

Once you unblock someone, their messages will no longer go to Junk automatically. They will arrive in your inbox like any other sender.

What happens when you block someone

Blocking in Outlook is one-way. The sender does not receive a notification, a bounce-back message, or any sign that you blocked them. From their perspective, they straightforward do not know whether you read their message or not.

If the blocked sender uses a different email address, messages from that new address will not be blocked — you would need to block each address separately. This is why blocking works best for unwanted senders you know will not change addresses, like a specific person or company.

Blocking vs. reporting spam or phishing

Outlook offers two separate actions: Block and Report Junk. Blocking stops messages from one specific address from reaching your inbox. Reporting Junk tells Microsoft that a message is spam or phishing, which helps protect other Outlook users.

If you receive a phishing email or obvious spam, report it instead of just blocking it. Open the message, click the three dots, and select Report Junk or Report Phishing. You can block and report the same message — they work together, not against each other.

Blocking on shared or work accounts

If you use Outlook through your workplace or school, your organization may have restrictions on blocking. Some companies use security policies that prevent users from blocking certain senders or that log all blocks for compliance reasons.

If you cannot find the Block option or if it does not work, contact your IT department or help desk. They can tell you whether blocking is turned off for your account and may be able to block senders on your behalf.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a blocked sender tell I blocked them?

No. Outlook does not send a notification to blocked senders, and their messages do not bounce back to them. They have no way to know you blocked them unless you tell them directly.

Will blocking stop all emails from someone?

Blocking stops messages from one email address. If the sender uses a different address, those messages will not be blocked. You would need to block each address separately.

Can I block an entire domain instead of one address?

Outlook's Block feature works on individual email addresses only, not entire domains. If you need to block all messages from a company domain, you may need to use Safe Senders & Block List settings or contact your IT department for help.

What if I blocked someone by mistake?

Go to your Junk folder and find their messages. Then unblock them through File > Options > Trust Center > Safe Senders & Block List (desktop) or Mail > Junk email settings (web). Once unblocked, their future messages will arrive in your inbox normally.

Do blocked messages stay in Junk forever?

No. Outlook automatically deletes messages in the Junk folder after 30 days. If you unblock someone before that time, you can still see their old messages in Junk. After 30 days, they are gone.