Mark Emails as Spam in Outlook Using Native Features
As an Outlook user, it’s useful to know how to mark messages as junk manually using the web and desktop apps.
Web (Outlook.com)
To mark messages as junk on the web:
- Go to: https://outlook.com/
- Click the sender icon next to the message you want to select.
- Click the Report button.
- Select the Report junk option.
Desktop
Here’s how to mark emails as spam in Outlook on Mac and PC. The process is quite similar across the two operating systems, but there are a couple of notable differences you need to know about.
To label messages as junk using the new Outlook desktop client for Mac
- Launch the desktop client on your Mac.
- Right-click the message you want to label as junk.
- Select the Report Junk menu.
- Choose the Junk option.
In the legacy version of Outlook, then you need to select Junk → Junk or Spam → Mark as Junk, depending on your version.
💡 Tip: To junk mail in bulk using the Outlook app on Mac, you can hold the Command key while clicking the items you want to select.
To move messages to Junk in classic Outlook for Windows
- Launch the desktop client on your Windows.
- Right-click the message you want to label as junk.
- Select the Block menu (called Junk in some older versions).
- Choose the Block Sender option.
The selected message is moved to Junk, and future messages from this sender are routed there too. Blocking does not prevent the sender from sending email. In new Outlook, use Report → Report junk to report selected messages as spam.
Choose the right spam action
| Action | Effect | Useful for |
|---|---|---|
| Report junk | Reports selected mail and moves it to Junk | Spam already in your inbox |
| Block sender or domain | Routes future mail from a listed source to Junk | Recurring unwanted senders |
| Rule with Mark as Junk or Move to Junk | Automatically handles mail matching your conditions; the action depends on the Outlook version | A recurring sender or subject pattern |
Create a rule to mark unwanted messages as Junk
Outlook on the web and new Outlook for Windows offer a Mark as Junk rule action to automatically handle incoming messages that match your conditions, such as a sender or subject.
Outlook on the web or new Outlook for Windows
- Open Settings → Mail → Rules and select Add new rule.
- Name the rule and add a condition, such as From or Subject includes. Specify the sender or text to match.
- Under Add an action, choose Mark as Junk.
- Review the conditions, add exceptions if needed, and select Save.
Classic Outlook for Windows
Use a rule to move matching messages to Junk Email: right-click a message, select Rules → Create Rule, set the condition, select Move the item to folder, and choose Junk Email. Classic Outlook does not offer the dedicated Mark as Junk rule action.
To process existing messages, use Run rule now in new Outlook or Run Rules Now in classic Outlook.
Mark Messages as Spam in Outlook Using Clean Email
If you prefer to manage unwanted email from your phone, Clean Email offers spam cleanup and automatic rules in its iOS and Android apps. You can mark existing messages as spam and create Auto Clean rules for future matching messages directly from your mobile device.
You can group messages by sender or subject, select them in bulk, and mark them as spam. Then create an Auto Clean rule for future matching messages. Here’s how it works:
- Download Clean Email for iOS or Android and sign in with your Outlook email address. You can also use the web app.
- Select Inbox.
- Use filters, sorting, or grouping options to find the unwanted messages.
- Tap the icon next to each message group you want to select.
- Select More → Spam, and confirm.
To mark future matching messages as spam, select Create Rule with your messages selected. Review the criteria, choose Mark as Spam, and click Create Rule. Enable Apply to existing messages if you also want to process messages already matching the rule.
You can edit or disable your rules in the Auto Clean section of the mobile app.
For recurring spam, combine a specific sender or domain with a subject condition where needed. Avoid broad subject-only rules that could affect important messages.
FAQs
How can I keep spam out of my inbox?
Report spam, block recurring unwanted senders, and use specific rules where helpful. For legitimate newsletters you no longer want, unsubscribe. Avoid unsubscribe links in suspicious messages.
When does Outlook delete messages that are marked as spam?
Junk messages are deleted automatically, so review the folder regularly. The retention period depends on your account; work or school accounts may follow an administrator’s policy.
What should I do if an email ends up in the junk folder by mistake?
Select the message in Junk and choose Not junk. If the sender is trusted, add the address to Safe senders. Check any rules that may have moved the message there.
Can I create Outlook spam rules on mobile?
Outlook for iOS and Android does not include the standard Rules settings page. Microsoft documents rule creation through Copilot on mobile where available. You can also create and manage Auto Clean rules in the Clean Email mobile app.
Can Outlook automatically mark emails as spam with a rule?
Yes. Outlook on the web and new Outlook for Windows offer a Mark as Junk rule action. In classic Outlook for Windows, create a rule that moves matching messages to Junk Email instead.
