How do I set up a rule to move emails from designated senders to theDeleted Items folder?

Question

How do I set up a rule to move emails from designated senders to theDeleted Items folder?

Charles Wilson 30

The previous version of Outlook had rules easily accessible. I can't find it anywhere in the 365 version. Seems like a lot of useful functionality went away.

chandan Kumar 0 Reputation points

2026-07-12T03:15:40.2366667+00:00

In the new Outlook (Windows or Outlook on the web):

Open Settings (⚙️).

Go to Mail → Rules.

Select Add new rule.

Give the rule a name.

Under Add a condition, choose From and enter the sender's email address(es).

Under Add an action, choose Move to → Deleted Items.

Save the rule.

In classic Outlook (Windows):

Go to Home → Rules → Manage Rules & Alerts.

Select New Rule.

Choose Apply rule on messages I receive.

Select the condition from people or public group, then specify the sender(s).

Choose move it to the specified folder and select Deleted Items.

Finish the wizard and click Apply.

Answer accepted by question author

Hornblower409 15,330

@Charles Wilson said

The Rules option does not appear in either of those locations

Are you trying to create a Rule for an non-Microsoft account (e.g. GMail, Yahoo, IMAP, POP)?

If you have multiple accounts in New Outlook you may see:

User's image

But if you have only non-Microsoft accounts, you will not see Rules as a choice at all:

User's image

Classic Outlook has "Client Side" ("On this computer only") Rules that work for IMAP and POP accounts.

User's image

New Outlook for Windows has only "Server Side" rules.

Charles Wilson 30 Reputation points

2026-07-20T00:27:09.46+00:00

@Hornblower409 This is apparently the explanation. Thank you very much for pointing out the different versions of Outlook and the limitations of New Outlook. I've done some more reading about it, and I must say I'm VERY disappointed in Microsoft. This "upgrade" actually gives me LESS control over the junk flooding into my inboxes, partly because their built-in tools do a piss-poor job of filtering. Paying more for less seems to be the pattern going forward. Annoying.
Charles Wilson 30 Reputation points

2026-07-20T02:32:07.78+00:00

Thanks for the help. Looks like Classic wasn't included in my MS 365 Personal setup. I'll download Classic from the link you included and see if I can configure the rules to help stem the flood of junk. I'm also checking whether I can configure my att.net Yahoo account at the server to try to head off the junk earlier in the flow. Thanks again!

3 additional answers

Your answer

chandan Kumar 0 Reputation points

2026-07-12T03:15:40.2366667+00:00

In the new Outlook (Windows or Outlook on the web):

Open Settings (⚙️).

Go to Mail → Rules.

Select Add new rule.

Give the rule a name.

Under Add a condition, choose From and enter the sender's email address(es).

Under Add an action, choose Move to → Deleted Items.

Save the rule.

In classic Outlook (Windows):

Go to Home → Rules → Manage Rules & Alerts.

Select New Rule.

Choose Apply rule on messages I receive.

Select the condition from people or public group, then specify the sender(s).

Choose move it to the specified folder and select Deleted Items.

Finish the wizard and click Apply.
Charles Wilson 30 Reputation points

2026-07-20T00:27:09.46+00:00

@Hornblower409 This is apparently the explanation. Thank you very much for pointing out the different versions of Outlook and the limitations of New Outlook. I've done some more reading about it, and I must say I'm VERY disappointed in Microsoft. This "upgrade" actually gives me LESS control over the junk flooding into my inboxes, partly because their built-in tools do a piss-poor job of filtering. Paying more for less seems to be the pattern going forward. Annoying.
Charles Wilson 30 Reputation points

2026-07-20T02:32:07.78+00:00

Thanks for the help. Looks like Classic wasn't included in my MS 365 Personal setup. I'll download Classic from the link you included and see if I can configure the rules to help stem the flood of junk. I'm also checking whether I can configure my att.net Yahoo account at the server to try to head off the junk earlier in the flow. Thanks again!

Answer 1

How to get (and stay on) Classic Outlook for Windows

There are four ways to get Classic Outlook for Windows:

1 -- Buy a Microsoft 365 subscription that includes downloadable Desktop Apps.

As of July 2026 this is all plans except "Microsoft 365 Basic" and "Microsoft 365 Business Basic". But check this FAQ to be sure Microsoft hasn't moved the goal post.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365-apps/outlook/get-started/licensing-options#frequently-asked-questions

For some subscriptions (e.g. MS 365 Family), or if you purchased a new PC that came with a trial MS365 Subscription, the default install does not include Classic Outlook. You have to download and install it separately.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/install-or-reinstall-classic-outlook-on-a-windows-pc-5c94902b-31a5-4274-abb0-b07f4661edf5

2 -- Buy a perpetual license for Office Home & Business 2024 which includes Classic Outlook for Windows.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/p/office-home-business-2024/cfq7ttc0pbm7

Note - Office Home 2024 does not include Classic Outlook.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/p/office-home-2024/cfq7ttc0pqvj

3 -- Buy a perpetual license for Classic Outlook for Windows standalone.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/p/outlook/cfq7ttc0pbmd

4 -- Corporate Volume Licensing (Office LTSC 2024).
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/office/ltsc/2024/overview

Configure your PC to always use Classic Outlook.
[External Non-Microsoft Site] https://www.slipstick.com/outlook/classic-outlook-not-new-outlook/

Answer 2

Diana Mariz 10,915 Independent Advisor

Hi Charles,

From the looks of it, it appears that you are using New Outlook version.

In the new Outlook app included with Microsoft 365, the Rules feature is no longer located under the Home tab as it was in the classic Outlook desktop client. This is normal behavior and has redesigned the interface, and some features have been moved.

To create a rule that moves emails from designated senders to the Deleted Items folder, open Outlook and go to Settings (the gear icon) > Mail > Rules. From there, you can add a new rule, specify the sender’s address, and set the action to move the message to Deleted Items

Charles Wilson 30 Reputation points

2026-07-12T23:11:04.7666667+00:00

Hi Diana. Thanks for responding, but unfortunately, following Settings => Mail, there is no option for Rules. I have Message List, Reading Pane, Compose, Smart suggestions, Attachments, Conditional formatting, Customize actions, Message Handling, Subscriptions, and LDAP. I've checked in each of those sections, and Rules settings does not appear. I've looked in all the obvious places, and many not so obvious ones, and I'm getting quite frustrated.
Diana Mariz 10,915 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-14T16:32:59.59+00:00

Hi Charles,
Please try this direct link instead and see if it will allow you to go through the Rules configuration: https://outlook.live.com/mail/0/options/mail/rules

Answer 3

chandan Kumar 0

In the new Outlook (Windows or Outlook on the web):

Open Settings (⚙️).

Go to Mail → Rules.

Select Add new rule.

Give the rule a name.

Under Add a condition, choose From and enter the sender's email address(es).

Under Add an action, choose Move to → Deleted Items.

Save the rule.

In classic Outlook (Windows):

Go to Home → Rules → Manage Rules & Alerts.

Select New Rule.

Choose Apply rule on messages I receive.

Select the condition from people or public group, then specify the sender(s).

Choose move it to the specified folder and select Deleted Items.

Finish the wizard and click Apply.

Charles Wilson 30 Reputation points

2026-07-12T03:52:19.4466667+00:00

I absolutely DO NOT have RULES under HOME, nor is it available when I select More Options or by clicking the Options icon. I have Microsoft 365 installed on my PC, and verified the Outlook icon on the toolbar matches the icon in the Microsoft 365 section of my Account / Subscription page. Should I reinstall Microsoft 365? Or the Outlook app?
Charles Wilson 30 Reputation points

2026-07-12T03:53:14.2333333+00:00

I absolutely DO NOT have RULES under HOME, nor is it available when I select More Options or by clicking the Options icon. I have Microsoft 365 installed on my PC, and verified the Outlook icon on the toolbar matches the icon in the Microsoft 365 section of my Account / Subscription page. Should I reinstall Microsoft 365? Or the Outlook app?
Charles Wilson 30 Reputation points

2026-07-12T23:13:39.04+00:00

See my response to Diana above. The Rules option does not appear in either of those locations. I've used Rules extensively in previous versions of Outlook, and am getting very annoyed that I can't find it in this version.