How to Configure the Block Senders list in Outlook Express

The Block Senders list feature in Outlook Express allows you to block email messages from known senders. It is normally used to configure a black list of known spammers. It can be used to block individual senders or complete domains. Messages from a blocked sender are sent directly to the deleted items folder. The blocked senders feature only works with email from a POP3 account. If you are using Outlook Express to retrieve email using IMAP4 or HTTP (msn Hotmail)then the block senders list feature will not work.

How to Block Messages from a Sender or Domain

There are several way of blocking messages from a sender or domain.

Blocking messages from a sender-Method 1

1.In your Inbox folder or in the list of messages in a newsgroup, click the message from the sender that you want to block so that it is highlighted.

2. Select message from the menu and then click Block Sender.



3. You will receive a confirmation dialogue box. as shown in the screen shot


Blocking messages from a sender-Method 2

1.In your Inbox folder or in the list of messages in a newsgroup, double click the message from the sender so that it opens.

2. Select Highlight the sender name in the from box and right click. Click on blocked sender.

3. You will receive a confirmation dialogue box as before

Blocking messages from a sender or domain-Method 3

1. Select tools>message rules>blocked senders list.


2. Click add and add the sender or if you want to block the domain enter just the domain name (here hotmail.com). Notice there is no @ sign before the domain name. See screen shot below.

3. Click OK to confirm.

How to Remove a Sender or Domain

1. Select tools>message rules>blocked senders list.

2. Highlight the sender or domain you wish to remove then click remove.




 

This article/tutorial was written and tested on Outlook Express 6.0. It should also be applicable to Outlook Express 5.5. It may work on previous versions of Outlook Express with minor modifications.