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Margie4graphs's avatar
Margie4graphs
Copper Contributor
Jan 15, 2025

Junk Email list problem in Windows 11

Hello

I am attaching a screenshot of a warning message I have newly received when seeking to relegate SPAM to the junk category when using Outlook on Windows 11. Regarding message counts, these are 7077 for blocked senders and 865 for safe senders.

From what I can see, the folder 'Junk E-mail' to which my SPAM is normally directed when I select 'Junk --

> Block Sender' on right-clicking on the listed message in the Windows version of Outlook is not listed in the web version. Instead, on right-clicking in a similar fashion, I am given the option 'Block' directly. On further examination, I can clearly see that if I use this option, the message is sent to the folder 'Deleted Items' instead of the above folder, which, of course, does not lead to the warning message I refer to above.

Do you have any suggestions as to the best way forward in managing SPAM within the Windows version of my Outlook account?

Many thanks for kindly considering this query!




 

 

3 Replies

  • Get-Content -Path "C:\Users\YourUser\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook\JunkSenders.txt" > C:\backup\junk_senders.txt

    Sync Issues Between Outlook Desktop and Web:

    The difference in behavior between the desktop and web versions of Outlook regarding the "Block Sender" feature is likely due to differences in how the two platforms handle junk email.

    • Web Version Settings: The web version may treat blocked emails differently. If the desktop version sends messages to Junk E-mail while the web version moves them to Deleted Items, ensure your settings on the web are aligned with the desktop version:
      1. In the Outlook web app, go to Settings (gear icon) > View all Outlook settings > Junk email.
      2. Set the desired level of junk email filtering.

    5. Other Recommendations:

    • Check for Updates: Ensure both Outlook and Windows 11 are fully updated, as updates often fix known issues.
      • Go to File > Office Account > Update Options > Update Now in Outlook.
      • For Windows updates, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates.
  • Understanding the Issue:

    • "Blocked Senders" and "Safe Senders" Lists: These are two different lists used by Outlook to determine whether an email is considered spam or safe. It seems that the number of blocked senders and safe senders is quite large, which may be causing performance issues.
    • Outlook Web vs. Desktop: The "Block Sender" option in the web version of Outlook moves emails to the Deleted Items folder, which is different from the Desktop version where messages are moved to the Junk E-mail folder.

    2. Resolve the "Junk E-mail" Folder Behavior:

    First, let's make sure that your Junk E-mail folder is properly set up in Outlook Desktop:

    • Check Junk E-mail Settings:
      1. In Outlook, go to Home > Junk > Junk E-mail Options.
      2. Ensure that the correct filtering level is selected. If it's set to "No Automatic Filtering," the manual "Junk" option may not work correctly.
      3. Select Low, High, or Safe Lists Only depending on your preference.
      4. Click Apply and then OK to save changes.
    • Junk E-mail Folder Location:
      • Ensure that the Junk E-mail folder is in your primary account's folder list. If it's missing or misplaced, try rebuilding your folder list:
        1. Close Outlook.
        2. Open Control Panel > Mail > Email Accounts.
        3. Choose your account and select Repair.

    3. Addressing the Blocked Senders and Safe Senders Lists:

    It seems like the large number of blocked/safe senders may be causing issues:

    • Clear the Lists: If you have many entries in these lists, consider cleaning them up to reduce potential conflicts.
      1. Open Outlook.
      2. Go to Home > Junk > Junk E-mail Options > Blocked Senders or Safe Senders.
      3. You can manually remove entries that are no longer relevant.
    • Import/Export Blocked and Safe Senders: If you need to export or back up your current lists, you can use PowerShell to do so:
    • Margie4graphs's avatar
      Margie4graphs
      Copper Contributor

      Thanks for these suggestions. In the final analysis, what is needed is an increase in the capacity for the number of such messages using MS Windows. As a short-term solution, I deleted my Safe Sender list to release some capacity. I agree with the filtering idea and have implemented it, while realising that this will not reduce my existing Blocked Sender list. 

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