Block a contact in Outlook on the web or desktop

To block someone on Outlook, open an email from that person, then look for the three dots (more options menu) at the top right of the message. Click it, then select Block or Block sender. On Outlook desktop, you can also right-click the sender's name and choose Block from the menu. Once blocked, their emails go straight to your Junk folder and you won't see read receipts or delivery notifications from them.

The exact wording and location of the block button varies slightly depending on whether you use Outlook.com (the web version), Outlook desktop for Windows, or Outlook for Mac. The steps below cover all three, but the result is the same: that sender's messages stop appearing in your inbox.

Blocking someone does not delete their past emails — those stay in your mailbox unless you delete them manually. It only stops new messages from reaching your inbox going forward.

Key Takeaways

  • Open any email from the person you want to block, click the three-dot menu, and select Block or Block sender.
  • Blocked emails go to your Junk folder automatically, and you won't receive read receipts or delivery notifications from that sender.
  • Blocking someone does not delete their old emails — you have to remove those yourself if you want them gone.
  • You can unblock someone at any time by going to your Junk folder settings and removing them from the blocked senders list.
  • Blocking works the same way across Outlook.com, Outlook desktop for Windows, and Outlook for Mac.

Block someone in Outlook.com (web version)

Log into Outlook.com and open your inbox. Find an email from the person you want to block and click on it to open the full message. At the top right of the email, you'll see three dots arranged vertically — this is the more options menu. Click those three dots.

A dropdown menu will appear. Look for the option that says Block or Block sender (the exact wording depends on your Outlook version). Click it. Outlook will show a confirmation message saying the sender has been blocked. From that point on, any new emails from that address will skip your inbox and land in the Junk folder instead.

Block someone in Outlook desktop for Windows

Open Outlook on your computer and find an email from the person you want to block. You can block them from the inbox list or by opening the message itself. If you're looking at the inbox list, right-click directly on the sender's name or email address. A context menu will pop up with several options, including Block or Junk — select Block.

If you have the email open in its own window, look at the top of the message. Click the three dots (more options) button, then select Block from the menu. Either way, Outlook will confirm the block and that sender's future emails will go to Junk.

Block someone in Outlook for Mac

Open Outlook on your Mac and locate an email from the person you want to block. Click on the email to select it or open it fully. At the top of the message window, you'll see a menu bar. Click Message in that menu bar, then look for Block Sender or Junk options. Select Block Sender.

Alternatively, you can right-click on the sender's name or email address within the message and choose Block Sender from the context menu. The block takes effect immediately, and new emails from that address will route to your Junk folder.

What happens when you block someone

When you block a sender, Outlook automatically sends their new emails to your Junk folder. You won't see notifications for their messages, and they won't receive read receipts or delivery confirmations when you open (or don't open) their emails. This means they won't know for certain that you've blocked them — from their perspective, their emails might just be going unanswered.

The block applies only to new messages. Any emails from that person that arrived before you blocked them will stay in your inbox, Sent folder, or wherever they currently are. If you want those old messages gone, you'll need to find them and delete them yourself. You can search for the sender's name or email address to find all their messages at once, then select and delete them in bulk.

Unblock someone if you change your mind

If you decide you want to receive emails from someone you blocked, you can unblock them. In Outlook.com, go to Settings (the gear icon at the top right), then select View all Outlook settings. Click Mail, then Junk email. You'll see a list of blocked senders. Find the person you want to unblock and click the X or trash icon next to their name.

In Outlook desktop for Windows, go to File > Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings > Safe Senders. Click Blocked Senders instead. Find the person in the list and click Remove. On Mac, go to Outlook > Preferences > Junk Email and look for the blocked senders list there. Once you remove them from the blocked list, their emails will return to your inbox normally.

When blocking isn't enough

Blocking stops emails from reaching your inbox, but it doesn't stop someone from sending them. If someone is sending you threatening, abusive, or harassing messages, blocking is a good first step, but you may want to take additional action. Save copies of the messages as evidence, then report the behavior to Outlook support or to your organization's IT department if you use Outlook through work.

If the harassment is severe or involves threats, you can also report it to law enforcement. Outlook's block feature is designed for unwanted mail and spam, not as a security tool against serious threats. For those situations, document everything and involve the appropriate authorities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the person know I blocked them?

No. Blocked senders won't receive a notification that you've blocked them. Their emails will simply go to your Junk folder, and they won't see read receipts or delivery confirmations. From their perspective, you're just not responding to their messages.

Can I block someone without opening their email?

In Outlook.com and desktop versions, you need to open at least one email from that person to access the block option. You cannot block an email address directly from the inbox list without opening a message first. Once you've blocked them, all future emails from that address will be caught automatically.

What if someone uses a different email address to contact me after I block them?

Blocking only applies to the specific email address you blocked. If the person sends you a message from a different email account, it will arrive in your inbox normally. You would need to block each address separately. If someone is repeatedly contacting you from multiple addresses to avoid a block, that crosses into harassment and you should save the messages and report them.

Do blocked emails disappear from my mailbox?

No. Blocking only affects new emails going forward. Any messages from that sender that are already in your inbox, Sent folder, or other folders will stay there. You have to manually find and delete old messages if you want them removed. Use the search function to find all emails from that sender and delete them in one action.

Can I block someone on my phone's Outlook app?

Yes. Open the email from the person you want to block, tap the three dots at the top of the message, and select Block or Block sender. The process is the same on both iPhone and Android versions of the Outlook app. Blocked senders' emails will go to Junk on all your devices where you use Outlook.