How to Block Email in Outlook? Updated Guide 2024

Is your inbox full of unwanted emails? These emails can make you feel tired. Outlook has a blocking feature that helps you manage senders who keep sending emails.

When you block emails, you take back control of your inbox. You can have fewer interruptions. You can also protect yourself from possible online problems.

This guide will discuss:

  • The Fate of Blocked Emails
  • Steps to Block Emails in Outlook
  • Alternatives to Email Blocking
  • Top 5 Reasons to Block an Email Sender
  • Conclusion

Are you ready to clean up your inbox and get rid of unwanted emails? Keep reading to learn how to block senders and the steps to do this.

The Fate of Blocked Emails

When you block a sender in Outlook, their emails go to your Junk Email folder. These emails will be removed by Outlook after some days, usually about 10 days.

You will not get any notifications about these blocked emails. You must check your junk email folder yourself. You should block someone when you do not want to talk to them anymore. We will discuss some situations for blocking later.

When you block someone, your main inbox stays clean. The blocked sender does not know that you blocked them, so you can block them without worries. From their side, it will look like you do not read their messages.

Steps to Block Emails in Outlook

Are you tired of spam emails? Check out how to delete spam emails and reach zero inboxes. Follow these simple steps to block senders in Outlook:

1. Open an email from the sender you want to block. Make sure you select the correct email.

2. Locate the “three dots” icon at the top right of the menu bar. Click it.

3. Choose “Block” from the menu that appears. Then, select “Block Sender” to confirm.

Outlook will send future emails from this sender to your junk folder. These emails will be deleted after about 10 days. Learn how to recover deleted emails if you have deleted them mistakenly. Remember that unblocking a sender will not bring back any emails that were deleted before you unblock.

Alternatives to Email Blocking

Blocking an email sender is often the last step. It removes their emails from your inbox completely. This means you can miss important messages from them.

Here are some options to consider before you block:

  • Filtering: You can create rules to optimize the Outlook spam filter. These rules route emails from certain senders into special folders. This keeps these emails out of your main inbox. You can check them when you want. You can also mark them as read to help manage your unread emails.
  • Unsubscribe: Many real emails, like newsletters, have an “Unsubscribe” link at the bottom. This is the easiest way to stop getting these emails. Email providers help with these cancellations and punish businesses that do not follow the rules.
  • Ignore: If the emails are not harmful, you can delete them without opening them. This way, you avoid dealing with unwanted messages. It also stops the sender from trying to communicate.
  • Archiving: Archiving can help with emails you want to hide from view. It gives you a sense of closure. If they are not bothering you now, blocking will not change much.
  • Direct Communication: If you know the sender well, you can talk to them about not wanting their emails. Just like unsubscribing from a newsletter, you can say that you wish to stop their emails, too.

Top 5 Reasons to Block an Email Sender

Sometimes, unsubscribing does not fix the problem. In these situations, blocking a sender is a better choice. Here are some cases where blocking is the best action:

  • Persistent Unsolicited Emails: If you get many unwanted offers or promotional emails, blocking the sender can help. It is good if they keep sending emails even when you do not answer. Marking these emails as spam can also help you get less of them.
  • Threatening or Inappropriate Content: If you get emails that are threatening or abusive, blocking the sender is very important. You need to keep yourself safe from bad communication.
  • Reducing Distractions: If you want to stay focused and not be interrupted by certain people, you can block them. This is helpful during important projects or big events. You can set a reminder to check and maybe unblock them later or use Outlook’s rules to save their emails for later.
  • Negative Personal Relationships: If past relationships are bad, blocking the person can help you feel better. This can make it easier for you to move on from a tough time without more stress from their emails.
  • Mental Health Considerations: Emails from certain people can make you feel bad. Blocking these senders might be needed to protect your emotional health and stay happy.

Conclusion

Your inbox is your space. You can decide who can write to you through it. Blocking a sender can make you feel better. Blocking a sender can help you work better. You should act on it right away. You need to take control of your inbox. You should make your inbox fit your needs.