How to filter junk and adult content e-mail messages in Outlook 2002 (286049)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Outlook 2002

This article was previously published under Q286049
For a Microsoft Outlook 2000 version of this article, see 195398.
For a Microsoft Outlook 98 version of this article, see 182251.

SUMMARY

There is a growing business in using e-mail messages as a direct marketing tool. If you do not want to receive these kinds of e-mail messages, Outlook can filter such e-mail messages and automatically move them from your Inbox to a Junk E-mail folder, your Deleted Items folder, or another folder that you specify. Outlook can also color-code these e-mail messages.

MORE INFORMATION

Outlook bases its filtering for junk or adult content e-mail messages on an internal list of terms, and on a list of specific e-mail addresses. You cannot modify the internal list of filtering terms, however Outlook maintains a list of e-mail addresses of senders of commercial or adult content. You can add to this list as you receive unwanted e-mail messages.

How to Automatically Move or Delete E-mail Messages Based on Content

  1. From your Inbox folder, on the Tools menu, click Organize.
  2. Click Junk E-Mail.
  3. In the Automatically <action> Junk messages box, click to select Move, click to select the destination folder from the list, and then click Turn On.
  4. In the Automatically <action> Adult messages box, click to select Move, click to select the destination folder from the list, and then click Turn On.
As Outlook receives e-mail messages, it moves them to the folders that you specify if they contain content that matches the internal list of terms. If you want to color-code these e-mail messages rather than move them to a specific folder, click Color from the list, and then select the color you that want to apply.

How to Automatically Move or Delete E-mail Messages Based on the Sender

  1. Right-click a message from an unwanted sender, and then point to Junk E-Mail on the shortcut menu.
  2. Click either Add to Junk Senders list or Add to Adult Content Senders list.
Outlook adds the sender of the e-mail message to the selected list and takes the specified action to either move or color-code the e-mail message, as long as the Junk E-Mail or Adult Senders list is activated.

How to Update the List of Unwanted E-mail Message Senders

  1. From your Inbox folder, on the Tools menu, click Organize.
  2. Click Junk E-Mail.
  3. Scroll to the end of the Organizer dialog box, and then click the hyperlink Click Here.
  4. If you want to change the commercial e-mail list, click Edit Junk Senders.
  5. If you want to change the Adult Content list, click Edit Adult Content Senders.
Outlook adds the sender of the e-mail to the selected list and takes the specified action to either move or color-code the message, as long as the Junk E-Mail or Adult Senders list is activated.

How to Make an Exception to Your Filtered Content List

  1. On the Tools menu, click Rules Wizard.
  2. In the Apply rules in the following order box, click Exception List.
  3. In the Rule Description box, click the hyperlink Exception List.
  4. Click Add.
  5. Enter the e-mail address or domain for which you want to make an exception.
E-mail messages from the e-mail address or domain that you entered will remain in your Inbox, even if the content contains phrases found in the internal list of filtering terms.

NOTE: The Exception rule will not work for e-mail addresses within your intranet.

How to Change the Destination Folder for Junk Messages

  1. From your Inbox folder, on the Tools menu, click Organize.
  2. Click Junk E-Mail.
  3. Click Turn Off for Junk messages.
  4. In the list of folders, click to select Other Folder.
  5. In the Choose a folder box, click to select a folder, and then click OK.
  6. Click Turn On.

How to Change the Destination Folder for Adult Content Messages

  1. From your Inbox folder, on the Tools menu, click Organize.
  2. Click Junk E-Mail.
  3. Click Turn Off for Adult Content Messages.
  4. In the list of folders, click to select Other Folder.
  5. In the Choose a folder box, click to select a folder, and then click OK.
  6. Click Turn on.
When Outlook receives unwanted e-mail messages, it will move them to the newly specified folders.

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:7/27/2006
Keywords:kbAutomation kbreceivemail kbhowto KB286049