Filters - How do I?

[Snapper]

I am receiving email that is flagged as spam by my ISP's email server. It adds
"*** SPAM ***" to the subject line.

I created a "rule" to move such messages to the deleted items folder and to mark
them as "read". However it's not working.

I also cannot seem to find where I can edit the rules or filters. I can only add
a rule to an existing message in the inbox which as I said, doesn't seem to
work. I'm still seeing them.

When I looked at an existing rule it seems to be filtering on the entire subject
line rather than the spam bit. When creating the rule I edited out the
extraneous text so that it'd only filter on the text "*** SPAM ***". But that
appears to be the title or the name of the rule rather than what it's filtering
on.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[F.H. Muffman]

I am receiving email that is flagged as spam by my ISP's email server.

It adds "*** SPAM ***" to the subject line.

I created a "rule" to move such messages to the deleted items folder
and to mark them as "read". However it's not working.

I also cannot seem to find where I can edit the rules or filters. I
can only add a rule to an existing message in the inbox which as I
said, doesn't seem to work. I'm still seeing them.

When I looked at an existing rule it seems to be filtering on the
entire subject line rather than the spam bit. When creating the rule I
edited out the extraneous text so that it'd only filter on the text
"*** SPAM ***". But that appears to be the title or the name of the
rule rather than what it's filtering on.

Let's start with the text of the rule you created. As for where to create
rules, Tools - Rules and Alerts, most likely. You didn't say what version
of Outlook, so it's just guessing.

 

[Snapper]

Let's start with the text of the rule you created. As for where to create
rules, Tools - Rules and Alerts, most likely. You didn't say what version
of Outlook, so it's just guessing.

Outlook 2003.

 

[F.H. Muffman]

Let's start with the text of the rule you created. As for where to

Outlook 2003.

Ok. First, a suggestion: Don't remove all the text from the thread. It
makes it hard to follow along. Just snip out extra text to leave the salient
part of the discussion intact.

2003 was Tools - Rules and Alerts, so that leaves my other question.

You have a rule that is failing.
What is the text of the rule that is failing? I seem to recall you're looking
for SPAM with asterisks around it... what happens if you remove the asterisks?
Just change the action to be something inconsequential, like applying a
flag color you never use and do a run rules now to see what happens.

 

[DL]

Try "Spam" as filter text, without the quotes

Outlook 2003.

 

[Snapper]

Try "Spam" as filter text, without the quotes

I made another filter or rule. However, the first two in the list cannot be
selected or edited or deleted. And I don't know why.

I've stuck with the asterisks for the time being. I created the new rule and I
then ran it on the Inbox. It marked the offending messages as "read" and then
moved them to the Deleted Items folder.

 

[Brian Tillman]

I made another filter or rule. However, the first two in the list
cannot be selected or edited or deleted. And I don't know why.

State exactly how you're trrying to edit or delete them.

 

[Snapper]

State exactly how you're trrying to edit or delete them.

I select Tools, then Rules and Alerts. A window pops up with two tabs, one
titled "E-mail Rules", the other "Manage Alerts".

With Email Rules open I have a number of options across the top, including "new
rule", change rule, copy, delete, run rules now and options.

Then there is a list of rules. Each one has a check box next to them. A window
below displays the description of the selected rule.

There are two rules with "***SPAM***" as the title. Their rule descriptions are
blank. The third rule which I've given a descriptive name "Spam from my ISP"
displays the rule description.

When I highlight the ***SPAM*** rules the options, change rule, copy, delete,
etc. are greyed out. However, I can change delete, etc. the "Spam from my ISP"
rule if it is selected.

Anyway, that new rule that I entered yesterday seems to be working OK. Just
wonder why I can't delete the other two which clearly do not work and never
would, given that they have no description of what they're supposed to do.

 

[Brian Tillman]

Anyway, that new rule that I entered yesterday seems to be working
OK. Just wonder why I can't delete the other two which clearly do not
work and never would, given that they have no description of what
they're supposed to do.

What I'd do would be to export the rules, start Outlook with the /cleanrules
command switch, then import the rules again. You should be able to delete
what you wish after that.

 

[Snapper]

What I'd do would be to export the rules, start Outlook with the /cleanrules
command switch, then import the rules again. You should be able to delete
what you wish after that.

Thanks. I shall give that a go.

 

[Snapper]

Try "Spam" as filter text, without the quotes

I managed to set up the rule and it seemed to work when I ran it on messages
already in the Inbox.

Anyway, today I received more spam messages. Apparently it's not working.

I then edited the rule and told it to filter on "SPAM" (without the quote
marks). I then sent a couple of test messages from other accounts to me with the
spam text in the subject.

They arrived in my Inbox. The rule is supposed to mark them as read and move
them to the deleted items folder.

Dunno what to do now.

Oh, I know what I WANT to do. But the ISP doesn't allow its customers to have
webmail access where you can configure your own filters so that they're deleted
at the server before your email client downloads them.

And despite repeated attempts they're not changing their policy on it. Maybe
it's because they run an el cheapo email server called "Squirrelmail".