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How to Report an Email in Outlook

Applies toNew Outlook for WindowsClassic OutlookOutlook on the webMicrosoft 365
4 min fix Updated 8 Mar 2026 · 6 months ago

By , 10+ years in IT support and helpdesk How these guides are checked

Quick Answer

Select the suspicious email, click the Report Message button on the top ribbon, and choose Phishing to send it to the IT security team for analysis.

Checked against Microsoft Learn - end of support and retirement, Microsoft Learn - new Outlook for Windows and between 5 Aug 2026 and 12 Sep 2026. Nothing published in that period has been linked to this guide.

Summary ​

Reporting suspicious or unwanted emails helps your IT team and Microsoft improve mail filtering. This article explains how to report emails as phishing or junk using the built-in tools in Outlook.

Before You Start ​

  • A Microsoft 365 mailbox.
  • The Report Message add-in may need to be enabled by your IT department. The steps below cover both the add-in method and the native New Outlook method.

Instructions ​

1. Report an Email in Classic Outlook (Desktop) ​

Use the Report Message button on the ribbon to flag suspicious emails.

  1. Open Outlook and select the suspicious email in your inbox (single-click — do not open it).
  2. Go to the Home tab on the ribbon.
  3. In the Report group (or Protection group), click Report Message.
  4. Choose one of the following options:
    • Report as Phishing — Use this for emails that impersonate a trusted sender or attempt to steal information.
    • Report as Junk — Use this for spam or unwanted marketing emails.
  5. Click Report in the confirmation dialog.
  6. The email is sent to Microsoft for analysis and moved to your Deleted Items folder.

2. Report an Email in New Outlook or Outlook on the Web ​

New Outlook and Outlook on the Web have reporting built in without an add-in.

  1. Select the suspicious email in your inbox.
  2. Click the three-dot menu (⋯) on the email in the message list, or open the email and click the three-dot menu in the toolbar.
  3. Select Report.
  4. Choose Report phishing or Report junk.
  5. Click Report to confirm.
  6. The email is sent to Microsoft and moved to Deleted Items.

3. Report from the Right-Click Menu ​

An alternative method available in both Classic and New Outlook.

  1. Right-click the suspicious email in your inbox.
  2. Select Report from the context menu.
  3. Choose Report as Phishing or Report as Junk.
  4. Confirm when prompted.

4. Verify the Report Was Sent ​

After reporting, confirm the email was processed.

  1. Check your Deleted Items folder — the reported email should appear there.
  2. If your organization uses a security team, they may follow up if the threat is confirmed. If you clicked a link or typed anything into the message before reporting it, act on that now — for the step-by-step, see What to Do If You Clicked a Phishing Link.

Troubleshooting ​

INFO

Reporting an email does not block the sender permanently. To block a sender, right-click the email and select Block Sender. Reported emails help Microsoft train its filters to catch similar messages in the future.

Symptom / ErrorPotential CauseSolution
Report Message button not visibleAdd-in not installedAsk IT to enable the Report Message add-in from the Microsoft 365 admin center. Alternatively, use the right-click method (Step 3).
Report option greyed outEmail already in Junk folderMove the email back to your Inbox first, then report it.
Email not moved after reportingOutlook sync delayWait a moment and refresh your inbox. The email should move to Deleted Items shortly.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between reporting Phishing and reporting Junk?
Phishing is a malicious attempt to steal your password or install a virus. Junk is annoying marketing spam. Always use Phishing if the email seems dangerous.
Will reporting an email delete it?
Yes. When you report an email as Phishing or Junk, Outlook automatically moves it out of your inbox and into your Deleted Items or Junk Email folder.