While the Exchange email filter identifies the majority of spam, phishing, and other email threats, a small number of wanted emails end up in one’s Junk email folder. The best way to manage the Junk folder is to log into Outlook (OWA) on the web. Neither Apple Mail nor Microsoft Outlook for Mac applications can properly manage junk mail across devices.


Here are a few simple steps to manage the Junk folder:


Unblocking Senders

If you have wanted email in your Junk email folder, you can train the Exchange email filter to direct wanted emails to your Inbox by following these few steps:

  • Log into OWA on the web: https://outlook.office365.com/owa
  • In the lefthand column, highlight the Junk email folder
  • Scroll through Junk email folder to find an email and sender you want to unblock
  • Click once on the email in the Junk email folder to highlight it
  • In the righthand column, choose It’s not junk under the subject line of the email
  • You may be prompted to report the email to Microsoft.
  • While the email will be moved to your Inbox folder automatically, you need to check the Blocked and Safe Senders lists (see Viewing all Blocked and Safe Senders and Domains instructions below) to make sure the sender does not appear on the former and does appear on the latter.

This procedure will add the sender to your Safe Sender list and future emails will arrive in your Inbox. 


Blocking Senders

If you are receiving unwanted emails in your Inbox folder, you can train the Exchange email filter to direct emails from a sender or an entire domain as follows:

  • Log into OWA on the web: https://outlook.office365.com/owa
  • In the lefthand column, highlight the Inbox folder
  • Scroll through Inbox folder to find a sender you want to block
  • Control-Click on the email in the Inbox folder and in the contextual menu that appears, scroll to Block
  • The mail will be moved to your Junk email folder automatically.

This procedure will add the sender to your Blocked Sender list and future emails will arrive in your Junk email folder. 


Viewing all Blocked and Safe Senders and Domains

To view and edit all Blocked and Safe Senders, follow these steps:

    • Log into OWA on the web: https://outlook.office365.com/owa
    • Click on the gear icon, and scroll to View all Outlook settings
    • Starting in the lefthand column, click on Mail -> Junk email
    • The lists of Blocked senders and domains and Safe senders and domains will appear
    • If editing from this view, be sure to click on Save in order to save any changes you may make from this view


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