Blockingor Filtering E-mail Messages from Specific Senders in Outlook Express 6 for Windows XP
Time to Complete (in minutes):  15

Question:
How can I block or filter e-mail messages from specific senders in Outlook Express 6 for Windows XP?
Answer:

There are two ways to block or filter e-mail messages:

  • Add addresses to your Blocked Senders list.There are two ways to do this:
    • Use an e-mail message.
      1. Double-click an e-mail message from the e-mail address you want to block.
      2. In the From section, right-click the e-mail address, and select Block Sender.
      3. Click OK.
    • Use the Blocked Senders list.
      1. From the Tools menu, select Message Rules, and then select Blocked Senders List.
      2. Select the Blocked Senders tab.
      3. Click the Add button.
      4. In the Address text box, type the e-mail address you want to block.
      5. Select the Mail Messages option.
      6. Click OK.
      7. In the Message Rules window, click OK.
  • Create a message rule that deletes messages from specific addresses.
    1. From the Tools menu, select Message Rules, and then select Mail....
    2. Select the Mail Rule tab.

      Note: The Mail Rule tab will only appear if you have used the Message Rule tool at some point in the past. If it does not appear, skip this step.

    3. Under Select the Conditions for your rule, place a check in the Where the From line contains people check box.
    4. Under Select the Actions for your rule, place a check in the Delete it check box.
    5. Under Rule Description (Click on an Underlined Value to Edit It), click the contains people link.
    6. In the text box, type the e-mail address and/or name as it appears in the From section of e-mail messages you receive from the address you want to block.
    7. Click the Add button.
    8. Click OK.
    9. In the Name of the Rule text box, type a name for the rule.
    10. Click OK.
    11. If you would like to filter messages that are currently in your Inbox:
      1. Click the Apply Now... button.
      2. From the Select Rules to Apply list, select the rule you just created.
      3. Click the Apply Now button.
      4. Click OK.
      5. Click the Close button.
    12. Click OK.

For more information, refer to the Unwanted E-mail at Virginia Tech page (http://www.computing.vt.edu/email_and_calendaring/vt_mail/unwantedemail.html).