University Computer Help Desk

Using junk mail controls in Windows Mail to filter spam email

Windows Mail on Windows Vista has built-in junk mail controls. If you get a lot of spam, you can use Windows Mail so junk email is automatically filtered for you.

Configure Junk E-mail Options

The first time you use Windows Mail on Windows Vista, you should configure your Junk E-mail Options.

  1. Open Windows Mail.
  2. Click Tools > Junk E-mail Options...
  3. A dialog box will appear that gives you four choices of automatic filtering.
    • No Automatic Filtering: Only mail that comes from senders on your Blocked Senders list will be moved to the Junk E-mail folder.
    • Low: Windows Mail will try and determine obvious junk email and move it to the Junk E-mail folder.
    • High: Windows Mail will move the majority of junk email to the Junk E-mail folder. However, this setting can cause regular email to be moved accidentally.
    • Safe List Only: Only email addresses on your Safe Senders list will be delivered to your Inbox. All other mail will be moved to the Junk E-mail folder.
  4. Choose an option that works for you. It is recommended that you use either Low or High, but always remember to check your Junk E-mail folder for messages moved there by accident.
  5. Click OK.

Using Junk Mail Controls

When you check email with Windows Mail, it will evaluate each email message that you receive. If it thinks the message is junk mail (spam), it will move the message to your Junk E-mail folder.

Automatic Message Moving

The first time Windows Mail think it has discovered a junk or phishing email, it will notify you via a pop-up dialog box. (Figure 1)

If you do not wish to see this message each time Mail finds a junk email, you can mark the check box labeled "Please do not show me this dialog again."

False Positives, or Missing Email

Sometimes, Windows Mail might think a legitimate email is junk mail. You should periodically open your Junk E-mail folder and browse its contents to make sure no real emails were accidentally marked as Junk.

  1. Open your Junk E-mail folder.
  2. Locate a legitimate email that should not be classified as junk mail.
  3. Click the icon at the top of the screen that says Not Junk.
  4. Your email will be returned to the Inbox.

Article Information

  • Article ID: 1222
  • Last Review: Feb 2, 2009
  • Type: Instructions

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