Quick Guide: Managing Blocked Senders in WLM Blocked Sender ToolWindows Live Mail (WLM) includes a Blocked Sender Tool that helps you control unwanted or malicious emails by stopping messages from specific addresses or domains before they reach your inbox. This guide walks through how the tool works, how to add and remove blocked senders, export/import your block list, troubleshoot common issues, and keep your list effective and safe.
What the WLM Blocked Sender Tool Does
The WLM Blocked Sender Tool prevents specified email addresses and domains from delivering messages to your inbox. When an address or domain is blocked:
- Messages from that address or domain are moved to the Junk folder or deleted depending on your WLM settings.
- Blocked addresses can be individual email addresses ([email protected]) or entire domains (@example.com).
- Blocking is local to your WLM client—if you use multiple devices or webmail, you may need to update block lists in each place.
Where to Find the Blocked Sender Tool
- Open Windows Live Mail.
- Go to the Junk menu on the ribbon or menu bar.
- Choose “Blocked Senders” or “Blocked Sender List” from the dropdown.
- A dialog will open showing addresses and domains currently blocked.
Adding Blocked Senders
You can add senders manually or from received messages.
Manual addition:
- Open the Blocked Senders dialog.
- Click “Add.”
- Enter a full email address ([email protected]) or domain (@example.com).
- Click “OK” or “Add” to confirm.
Blocking from a message:
- Select the unwanted message in your inbox or Junk folder.
- Right-click the message and choose “Junk” → “Block Sender” (or use the ribbon’s Junk options).
- Confirm when prompted—WLM will add the sender to the blocked list.
Tips:
- Use domains (e.g., @spamdomain.com) to block groups of addresses from the same source.
- Avoid overly broad entries like “@com” — they can block legitimate senders.
Removing Blocked Senders
- Open the Blocked Senders dialog from the Junk menu.
- Select the address or domain you want to remove.
- Click “Remove” or “Delete.”
- Confirm removal if prompted.
After removal, messages from that address will return to normal delivery (Inbox or Junk based on other filters).
Importing and Exporting Blocked Lists
WLM allows you to back up or share your blocked sender list using export/import (format and steps may vary by WLM version):
Export:
- In the Blocked Senders dialog, look for an “Export” or “Save” option.
- Choose a location and save the file (commonly a plain text or CSV file).
- Keep the file safe—treat it like other account configuration files.
Import:
- Open the Blocked Senders dialog and select “Import” or “Load.”
- Browse to the saved file and select it.
- Confirm import—WLM will add the addresses/domains to your block list.
If your version lacks direct import/export, manually recreate the list or copy the file from your WLM profile folder (advanced).
Managing False Positives
Sometimes legitimate emails get blocked. To fix or prevent that:
- Check the Junk folder regularly for misplaced messages.
- Remove trusted addresses from the blocked list.
- Add trusted addresses to your Safe Senders or Contacts list to prevent future blocking.
- Avoid using overly broad domain blocks.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
- Emails still appear after blocking: Check whether the sender uses multiple addresses or domains; add each one. Also verify that other rules or filters aren’t directing emails elsewhere.
- Block list doesn’t sync between devices: Blocking in WLM is local. If you use multiple clients (mobile, webmail), update block lists in each or set up server-side filters (via your email provider).
- Import/Export options missing: Your WLM version may not support these features in the UI—look for profile files in the WLM data folder or use third-party tools carefully.
Best Practices for Maintaining Your Block List
- Review the list quarterly to remove stale or incorrectly added entries.
- Keep a backup of your block list before making large changes.
- Combine blocking with server-side spam filters for better protection.
- Use Contacts/Safe Senders lists to whitelist important addresses.
Security and Privacy Considerations
- Blocking is a client-side convenience; for stronger protection, configure filters on your mail server or with your email provider.
- Be cautious when sharing exported block lists—these files contain the addresses you’ve flagged and could be misused.
Quick Reference — Common Actions
- Add sender: Junk → Blocked Senders → Add → Enter address/domain → OK.
- Block from message: Right-click message → Junk → Block Sender.
- Remove sender: Junk → Blocked Senders → Select → Remove.
- Export/Import: Use Export/Import in Blocked Senders dialog if available; otherwise back up profile files.
Keeping your blocked-sender list tidy improves mail accuracy and reduces the risk of losing important messages. If you want, tell me which WLM version you’re using and I’ll give step-by-step instructions tailored to that version.
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