Set Outlook to only accept email from known senders

Customize your Outlook junk email settings

You can set Outlook to display email only from people you send email to and from sources you designate as safe senders. The spam filters automatically treat your contacts as safe senders, and anything not from those senders goes to your junk mail folder. This filter can be adjusted according to your preferences.

The instructions in this article apply to Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007; and Outlook for Office 365.

Add to Safe Senders List

Follow these steps to add people to your safe senders list.

For Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, and 2010

Note that the screenshots are taken from Outlook 2016 and while versions like 2010 may look slightly different, the steps are the same.

1. Go to the tab House .

   

2. In Group remove select mess .

   

3. Select Spam options .

   

4. In the dialog box Spam options select tab Safe Senders .

   

5. Check box Automatically add people I message to as safe senders .

   

6. Select Okay .

For Outlook 2007

Follow these steps to activate the Safe Senders List in older versions of Outlook:

1. Open your Outlook inbox .

2. Select Actions > spam > Spam options .

   

3. In the dialog box Spam options select tab parameters: .

4. Select Safe Lists Only: Only email from people or domains on your safe senders or safe recipients list is delivered to your inbox .

   

5. Go to the tab Safe Senders .

6. Check box Automatically add people I email to my safe senders list .

   

7. Click Okay .

In addition to treating all your contacts as safe senders, you can add individual senders or domains to the safe list in Outlook.

Of course, it’s a good idea to check your junk email folder every now and then for valid email if one of your contacts gets a new email address.