How to delete the Junk Email Rule ?

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Note: The Junk mail rules is visible only if you use an Exchange mailbox. We're working on a solution for POP3/IMAP accounts.

Some users are reporting problems with Outlook 2003's junk email filter not working properly. It ignores names on the safe lists and moves their mail to the junk folder, it ignores addresses on the blocked list and leaves them in the Inbox. Changing the junk mail settings doesn't appear to have an effect on what gets filtered - the same amount of junk is filtered on high, low or off.

If this any of the above is happening to you, make sure you have the latest updates installed. If you are using another anti-spam addin, disable it. Running two anti-spam filters can affect Outlook's ability to properly process spam.

If you aren't using a second anti-spam application on your local computer, you can try an experimental solution: deleting the junk mail rule in Outlook. It's a hidden message in the Inbox and you need a special tool to access it. The easiest to use is Outlook Spy. Outlook will recreate the rule and if this solution fixes your problem it means the Junk Email rule was corrupted.

How to do that :-
1. Install Outlook Spy.
2. Find your pst and make a copy. It's usually found at C:\Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook. A simple right click, copy, right click paste is enough.
3. Start Outlook.
4. Export your rules, just to be safe. (Tools, Rules and Alerts menu).
5. Select the Inbox, if it's not already selected.
6. Click on the IMAPIFolder button on the Outlook Spy toolbar.
7. Click on the Associated Contents tab.
8. Locate the Junk Email Rule. It may be near the end of the list.
9. Select it and press Delete.
10. Close then restart Outlook.

Note :- Outlook will recreate the Junk Email rule when it starts and your junk email settings should not be affected.