How to stop unwanted Microsoft emails?

Summary

Stopping unwanted Microsoft emails involves several approaches, depending on the source and the user's level of control. For organizations using Microsoft 365, the administrator often controls the marketing emails, so settings may need to be adjusted at the organizational level. Users can unsubscribe via links in emails or through their Microsoft account communication preferences. Email filtering within services like Gmail and Outlook can automatically sort or delete unwanted messages. More advanced methods include using PowerShell scripts (requiring admin access), third-party unsubscribe services, and creating separate email addresses for Microsoft services. Managing Microsoft account privacy settings and opting out of targeted advertising can also reduce unwanted communications. It's recommended to combine multiple strategies, such as unsubscribing and filtering, for optimal results. Checking the email footer for communication preference links is also helpful.

Key findings

  • Admin Control: Microsoft 365 administrators often control marketing emails at the organizational level.
  • Unsubscribe Options: Microsoft provides unsubscribe links within emails and through account communication preferences.
  • Filtering Effectiveness: Email filtering can automate sorting or deletion based on senders or keywords.
  • Advanced Tools: PowerShell, third-party services, and separate email addresses offer advanced management.
  • Privacy Matters: Managing privacy settings and targeted advertising preferences reduces unwanted emails.
  • Combined Strategies: Combining multiple techniques, like unsubscribing and filtering, is most effective.

Key considerations

  • Access Requirements: Some methods, like PowerShell scripts, require administrative access.
  • Legitimate Links: Verify that unsubscribe links are genuine before clicking.
  • Filter Accuracy: Carefully configure filters to avoid accidentally deleting important emails.
  • Privacy Trade-offs: Adjusting privacy settings may impact personalized experiences with Microsoft services.
  • Organization size: Small organisations may not have the skills to implement more technical solutoins

What email marketers say
9Marketer opinions

To stop unwanted Microsoft emails, several methods can be employed. Organizations using Microsoft 365 may need to adjust admin-level settings, as the organization's admin often controls these communications. Users can also unsubscribe directly through their Microsoft account's communication preferences or by using unsubscribe links within the emails themselves. For those using Gmail, filters based on keywords or sender addresses can automatically mark these emails as spam. Additionally, email filtering tools, PowerShell scripts (requiring admin access), third-party unsubscribe services, and separate 'clean' email addresses can help manage and reduce unwanted emails. A combination of unsubscribing and filtering is also recommended to keep inboxes clean.

Key opinions

  • Admin Control: For Microsoft 365 users, the organization's administrator often controls promotional emails.
  • Unsubscribing: Unsubscribing through Microsoft account settings or email links is a direct way to opt-out.
  • Filtering: Email filters in Gmail or other email clients can automatically manage or delete unwanted emails.
  • Alternative Tools: PowerShell scripts, third-party services, and 'clean' email addresses provide additional management options.

Key considerations

  • Admin Access: Some solutions, like PowerShell scripts, require administrator access.
  • Combined Approach: Combining unsubscribing with filtering is often the most effective strategy.
  • Footer Check: Check the email footer for communication preference links
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks explains that the spam emails are controlled by the organization's admin, not Microsoft directly. The admin either turned the feature on or didn't turn it off, and they control spam emails, not MSFT directly.

September 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Microsoft Support explains how to unsubscribe from promotional emails by accessing your Microsoft account, going to Communication preferences, and updating the settings.

April 2024 - Microsoft Support
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks shares a snippet from the footer of the weekly analytics email stating that it's a mandatory service communication and to manage other communication preferences, users should visit the Promotional Communications Manager.

September 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from PC Gamer suggests creating a separate, 'clean' email address specifically for Microsoft accounts and services. This helps isolate promotional emails from your primary inbox, making it easier to manage and ignore unwanted communications.

February 2022 - PC Gamer
Marketer view

Email marketer from Ask Leo! recommends using email filtering tools provided by your email provider to block unwanted emails from Microsoft by creating rules based on sender address or keywords in the subject line. He also recommends unsubscribing where possible.

August 2024 - Ask Leo!
Marketer view

Email marketer from Quora recommends a combination of unsubscribing from unwanted Microsoft emails and creating filters in your email client to automatically move promotional emails to a separate folder or directly to the trash. This keeps your inbox clean and reduces the visibility of these emails.

July 2023 - Quora
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit user u/spamfighter shares a method to filter Microsoft promotional emails in Gmail by creating a filter that identifies these emails based on keywords or sender addresses and automatically marks them as spam.

December 2023 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from the Spiceworks forum suggests using a third-party unsubscribe service to manage and remove your email address from multiple mailing lists at once, simplifying the process of opting out of unwanted communications from Microsoft and other senders.

October 2023 - Spiceworks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Microsoft Community user TechyInMA provides a PowerShell script to disable promotional emails at the organizational level within Microsoft 365, requiring administrator access to implement.

January 2023 - Microsoft Community

What the experts say
2Expert opinions

To stop unwanted Microsoft emails, experts recommend utilizing genuine unsubscribe links found in marketing emails to confirm opt-out preferences with Microsoft. Additionally, creating email filters based on sender addresses or keywords can automatically sort or delete these emails, preventing inbox clutter.

Key opinions

  • Unsubscribe Links: Microsoft marketing emails often contain legitimate unsubscribe links.
  • Email Filters: Creating email filters can automate the sorting or deletion of unwanted emails.

Key considerations

  • Link Legitimacy: Ensure the unsubscribe links are genuine and lead to Microsoft's official systems.
  • Filter Accuracy: Carefully configure filters to avoid accidentally deleting important emails.
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise suggests creating email filters to automatically sort or delete unwanted Microsoft emails. These filters can be based on sender addresses or keywords to ensure they don't clutter your primary inbox.

December 2023 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource explains that Microsoft often includes genuine unsubscribe links in its marketing emails. Using these links is the best method to stop receiving these emails, as it confirms your opt-out preference to Microsoft's systems.

December 2021 - Spam Resource

What the documentation says
5Technical articles

Microsoft documentation provides several methods to stop unwanted emails. Users can block senders in Outlook.com or Outlook 365 by adding their addresses or domains to a blocked list. Privacy settings within the Microsoft account can be managed to control data collection and advertising preferences. The Junk Email filter in Outlook can automatically move suspected spam, with adjustable sensitivity levels. Opting out of targeted advertising in Windows settings by turning off the advertising ID can limit personalized promotional emails. Finally, the Sweep feature in Outlook.com allows users to automatically delete or archive all emails from a specific sender or keep only the latest one.

Key findings

  • Blocking Senders: Blocking senders prevents their emails from reaching your inbox in Outlook.
  • Privacy Settings: Managing Microsoft account privacy settings can reduce unwanted communications.
  • Junk Email Filter: The Junk Email filter automatically moves suspected spam, with adjustable sensitivity.
  • Targeted Advertising: Opting out of targeted advertising limits personalized promotional emails.
  • Sweep Feature: The Sweep feature automatically manages emails from specific senders.

Key considerations

  • Filter Sensitivity: Adjusting the Junk Email filter's sensitivity can affect the number of emails caught.
  • Privacy Implications: Managing privacy settings may impact the personalized experience with Microsoft services.
  • Sweep Setup: Setting up the Sweep feature properly requires careful configuration to avoid unintended deletions.
Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft Documentation explains how to use the Sweep feature in Outlook.com to automatically delete or archive all emails from a particular sender, or to keep only the latest email. This can be used to manage recurring promotional emails from Microsoft.

December 2024 - Microsoft Documentation
Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft Documentation explains how to block senders in Outlook.com or Outlook 365 by adding their email address or domain to the blocked senders list. This prevents their emails from reaching your inbox.

February 2023 - Microsoft Documentation
Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft Documentation explains how to use the Junk Email filter in Outlook to automatically move suspected spam emails to the Junk Email folder. Users can adjust the filter's sensitivity to catch more or fewer unwanted messages.

September 2021 - Microsoft Documentation
Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft Documentation provides information on how to opt out of targeted advertising in Windows settings. By turning off the advertising ID, you can limit the amount of personalized advertising you receive from Microsoft, which can reduce the number of promotional emails.

January 2023 - Microsoft Documentation
Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft Documentation describes how to manage privacy settings within your Microsoft account to control the data Microsoft collects and uses, potentially reducing unwanted communications. This involves reviewing and adjusting advertising preferences and other data-sharing settings.

September 2022 - Microsoft Documentation

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