You need to configure spam reporting add-ins in new Outlook but cannot find the settings. Microsoft moved the management experience away from the classic Add-ins dialog in Outlook 2019 and 2021. This article explains where these settings now reside in new Outlook for Windows and Microsoft 365, and what practical limits apply when deploying and using spam reporting add-ins.
The settings for spam reporting add-ins are no longer in a single pane. They are split across the Outlook Options menu, the Microsoft 365 admin center, and the integrated add-in store. Understanding this split is necessary before you change any configuration.
This article covers the exact menu paths to find and manage spam reporting add-ins, the constraints on custom reporting buttons, and the behavior differences between new Outlook and classic Outlook.
Key Takeaways: Spam Reporting Add-in Settings in New Outlook
- Settings > Mail > Junk Email > Reporting add-ins: Where you enable or disable the built-in Microsoft spam reporting add-in in new Outlook.
- Microsoft 365 admin center > Settings > Integrated apps: Where admins deploy third-party spam reporting add-ins to all users.
- Get Add-ins store > Admin managed: Where users can see but not remove add-ins that were deployed by an admin.
Why Spam Reporting Add-in Settings Changed in New Outlook
New Outlook for Windows is built on a web-based platform. It does not use the classic COM add-in model that Outlook 2019 and 2021 relied on. Spam reporting add-ins in the old model were managed through File > Options > Add-ins, where you could enable, disable, or remove a COM add-in directly. In new Outlook, all add-ins run inside a sandboxed environment managed by the Microsoft 365 add-in infrastructure.
This change means that the settings for spam reporting add-ins are now distributed across three locations:
- User-level settings: The built-in Microsoft spam reporting add-in is toggled inside Outlook’s own Mail settings.
- Admin-deployed add-ins: Third-party spam reporting add-ins such as those from Barracuda, Mimecast, or Proofpoint are deployed through the Microsoft 365 admin center under Integrated apps.
- User-installed add-ins: Any spam reporting add-in that a user installs from the store appears under Get Add-ins and can be removed there.
The practical limit that most users encounter is that you cannot remove an admin-deployed add-in from the Outlook interface. The Remove button is grayed out. This behavior is by design and prevents users from bypassing corporate spam reporting policies.
Where to Find Spam Reporting Add-in Settings in New Outlook
Follow these steps to locate the settings for both the built-in Microsoft spam reporting add-in and any third-party add-ins.
Built-in Microsoft Spam Reporting Add-in
- Open Outlook Settings
Click the Settings gear icon in the top-right corner of the new Outlook window. Select Mail from the Settings panel. - Navigate to Junk Email
In the left navigation pane under Mail, click Junk Email. - Locate Reporting add-ins
Scroll to the bottom of the Junk Email settings page. You will see a section labeled Reporting add-ins. This section contains a toggle for the Microsoft spam reporting add-in. Turn it on or off as needed.
When the toggle is on, the Report button appears in the Outlook ribbon when you select a message. When the toggle is off, the button is hidden.
Third-Party Spam Reporting Add-ins Deployed by an Admin
- Open the Get Add-ins Dialog
In new Outlook, click View on the ribbon, then click Get Add-ins. Alternatively, click the Apps button in the ribbon and select Get Add-ins. - Check Admin managed
In the Add-ins dialog, click the Admin managed tab. Any spam reporting add-in that your IT department deployed appears here. You can see the add-in name and publisher, but the Remove button is disabled. - Verify the Add-in Status
Below the add-in name, you will see a status indicator. If the add-in is turned on, it is active. You cannot turn off an admin-managed add-in from this dialog. Only an admin can change its status in the Microsoft 365 admin center.
Third-Party Spam Reporting Add-ins Installed by the User
- Open the Get Add-ins Dialog
Use the same method as above: click View > Get Add-ins or the Apps button. - Check My add-ins
Click the My add-ins tab. Any spam reporting add-in that you personally installed from the store appears here. You can click the three-dot menu next to the add-in and select Remove to uninstall it.
Practical Limits of Spam Reporting Add-ins in New Outlook
The shift to the web-based add-in model introduces several limits that affect how spam reporting add-ins work.
No COM Add-in Support
New Outlook does not load COM add-ins. If your organization previously used a custom COM add-in for spam reporting, it will not appear in new Outlook. The add-in must be rewritten as a web add-in using the Office Add-ins platform. Check with your vendor for a web add-in version before migrating users to new Outlook.
Admin-Deployed Add-ins Cannot Be Removed by Users
When an admin deploys a spam reporting add-in through the Microsoft 365 admin center, the add-in is pinned to the user’s ribbon. The user cannot disable or remove it. This is a security feature, but it also means that if the add-in malfunctions, the user must contact IT support to have it turned off.
Only One Spam Reporting Add-in Can Be Active at a Time
New Outlook allows only one spam reporting add-in to be active per mailbox. If both the built-in Microsoft add-in and a third-party add-in are turned on, only the third-party add-in functions. The Microsoft add-in is automatically suppressed. This limit prevents duplicate Report buttons from appearing.
No Custom Report Button Text or Icon
The built-in Microsoft spam reporting add-in does not support customization of the button label or icon. It always displays as Report with a standard shield icon. Third-party add-ins can customize the button appearance, but only if the add-in developer included that capability.
Reporting Add-in Settings Are Per Mailbox, Not Per Profile
In classic Outlook, add-in settings were stored in the Windows registry and applied to the entire Outlook profile. In new Outlook, add-in settings are stored in the cloud and applied per mailbox. If you have multiple accounts in the same Outlook profile, each account can have a different spam reporting add-in configuration. You must configure the add-in for each mailbox separately.
If the Spam Reporting Add-in Does Not Appear
When you have enabled the add-in but the Report button does not show in the ribbon, check these items.
The Add-in Toggle Is On but the Button Is Missing
Return to Settings > Mail > Junk Email > Reporting add-ins and confirm the toggle is in the On position. If it is On, close and reopen Outlook. The button should appear after the restart. If it still does not appear, try disabling and re-enabling the toggle.
Another Spam Reporting Add-in Is Suppressing the Built-in One
If you have a third-party spam reporting add-in installed, the built-in Microsoft add-in is automatically suppressed. You will not see the Report button from Microsoft. To use the built-in add-in, remove the third-party add-in from My add-ins or ask your admin to disable the deployed add-in.
The Add-in Was Deployed but Is Not Showing in Ribbon
Admin-deployed add-ins can take up to 24 hours to appear in new Outlook. Ask the user to sign out of Outlook and sign back in. If the add-in still does not appear, the admin should verify the deployment in the Microsoft 365 admin center under Settings > Integrated apps and confirm that the add-in is assigned to the correct security group.
Built-in vs Third-Party Spam Reporting Add-in: Key Differences
| Item | Built-in Microsoft Add-in | Third-Party Add-in |
|---|---|---|
| Configuration location | Settings > Mail > Junk Email | Admin center or Get Add-ins store |
| Custom button text | Not supported | Supported if developer enables it |
| User can remove | Yes, by toggling off | Only if user-installed, not if admin-deployed |
| Active add-ins limit | Suppressed if third-party is active | Only one third-party can be active |
| Reporting destination | Microsoft 365 | Vendor-defined |
| COM add-in support | Not applicable | Not applicable |
The table shows that the built-in add-in is simpler to configure but offers no customization. Third-party add-ins provide flexibility but require admin deployment and cannot be removed by users.
You can now locate spam reporting add-in settings in new Outlook using the Settings menu for the built-in add-in and the Get Add-ins dialog for third-party add-ins. Remember that admin-deployed add-ins are locked and require IT to change. If you manage multiple mailboxes, configure the add-in for each mailbox individually. For advanced control, explore the Microsoft 365 admin center Integrated apps section to deploy add-ins to groups.