How to fix handling settings on Outlook

If you mean Outlook.com’s Message handling settings, try this:

• Go to Settings → Mail → Message handling.
• Change Strict to Standard.
• Click Save.
• Sign out of Outlook and sign back in.

If it keeps reverting to Strict, try clearing your browser cache/cookies or using another browser. Microsoft also recommends signing out, clearing the cache, closing the browser, and signing in again for Outlook.com settings issues.

Microsoft’s Outlook message-handling guidance

Hi Deborah,

Since you're only using Thunderbird and Outlook on the web, let's not keep repeating the Standard-Strict change. If Strict keeps coming back, something else may be overriding the setting.

Try to check these:

1. On your Outlook on the web, go to Settings > Mail > Junk email.
2. Check Blocked senders and domains and remove anything that shouldn't be blocked.
3. Add trusted addresses or domains under Safe senders and domains.
4. Check Settings > Mail > Rules for any rule moving messages to Junk.

Then set the handling back to Standard, save it, and check again using a private or incognito browser window.

If it still changes back to Strict, the issue is likely with the Outlook.com account setting rather than Thunderbird. Since your messages are already going to Junk in Outlook, Thunderbird isn't likely to be causing the filtering.

Jhun

Hi Deborah Ling,

Good day. If it keeps changing back to strict, check whether another Outlook security or account setting is overriding your option.

1. Open Outlook on the web and sign in.
2. Go to Settings > Mail > Junk email.
3. Check the handling/safety level and set it to Standard.
4. Save the change, then sign out and back in to see if it stays.

If it keeps switching back to Strict again, check whether the same thing happens in Outlook on the web and the Outlook app. If only the app changes it back, the problem may be with the app rather than the account settings.

Another thing, is this is a work or school account? If yes an administrator or organization policy can force the setting back to Strict but for a personal Microsoft account, that restriction normally wouldn't apply.

Regards,
Jhun