Use rules to automatically forward messages
You can use inbox rules to automatically forward or redirect messages sent to your mailbox to another account.
Messages that are forwarded will appear to be forwarded from you. Messages that are redirected will appear to come from the original sender.
Select a tab option below for the version of Outlook you're using. What version of Outlook do I have?
Forward all messages to another account in new Outlook
Messages that are forwarded will appear to be forwarded from you. When someone replies to a message that has been forwarded, the reply will be sent to the address the message was forwarded from, not to the original sender.
-
At the top of the page, select Settings .
-
Select Mail > Rules.
-
Select Add new rule.
-
Enter a name for your rule.
-
Add a condition: choose Apply to all messages.
-
You can also Add another condition, if you'd like.
-
-
Add an action: choose Forward to or Forward as attachment, and then enter the email address where you'd like your messages to be forwarded.
-
You can also Add another action or Add an exception here.
-
-
You can choose to Stop processing more rules. Learn more about Stop processing more rules in Outlook.
-
When you're done, select Save.
Redirect all messages to another account in new Outlook
Messages that are redirected will appear to come from the original sender. When someone replies to a message that has been redirected, the reply will be sent to the original sender.
-
At the top of the page, select Settings .
-
Select Mail > Rules.
-
Select Add new rule.
-
Enter a name for your rule.
-
Add a condition: choose Apply to all messages.
-
You can also Add another condition, if you'd like.
-
-
Add an action: choose Redirect to, and then enter the email address where you'd like your messages to be redirected.
-
You can also Add another action or Add an exception here.
-
-
You can choose to Stop processing more rules. Learn more about Stop processing more rules in Outlook.
-
When you're done, select Save.
Forward all messages to another account in classic Outlook
Messages that are forwarded will appear to be forwarded from you. When someone replies to a message that has been forwarded, the reply will be sent to the address the message was forwarded from, not to the original sender.
-
In Outlook, select Move > Rules > Manage Rules & Alerts.
-
Select New Rule.
-
Under Start from a blank rule, select Apply rule on messages I receive > Next.
-
Do not check any of the boxes under Select conditions if you want this rule to apply to all messages that you receive. Select Next. Outlook will ask if you want this rule to be applied to every message you receive. Select Yes.
-
Under Select actions, check the box next to either forward it to people or public group or forward it to people or public group as an attachment.
-
Edit the rule description to specify the email address you'd like your messages to be forwarded to, and then select Next.
-
Specify any exceptions you'd like. If there are no exceptions, do no check any of the boxes. Select Next.
-
Specify a name for this rule, and then choose any additional options you'd like.
-
Select Finish.
Redirect all messages to another account in classic Outlook
Messages that are redirected will appear to come from the original sender. When someone replies to a message that has been redirected, the reply will be sent to the original sender.
-
In Outlook, select Move > Rules > Manage Rules & Alerts.
-
Select New Rule.
-
Under Start from a blank rule, select Apply rule on messages I receive > Next.
-
Do not check any of the boxes under Select conditions if you want this rule to apply to all messages that you receive. Select Next. Outlook will ask if you want this rule to be applied to every message you receive. Select Yes.
-
Under Select actions, check the box next to redirect it to people or public group.
-
Edit the rule description to specify the email address you'd like your messages to be redirected to, and then select Next.
-
Specify any exceptions you'd like. If there are no exceptions, do no check any of the boxes. Select Next.
-
Specify a name for this rule, and then choose any additional options you'd like.
-
Select Finish.
Forward all messages to another account in Outlook on the web
Messages that are forwarded will appear to be forwarded from you. When someone replies to a message that has been forwarded, the reply will be sent to the address the message was forwarded from, not to the original sender.
-
At the top of the page, select Settings .
-
Select Mail > Rules.
-
Select Add new rule.
-
Enter a name for your rule.
-
Add a condition: choose Apply to all messages.
-
You can also Add another condition, if you'd like.
-
-
Add an action: choose Forward to or Forward as attachment, and then enter the email address where you'd like your messages to be forwarded.
-
You can also Add another action or Add an exception here.
-
-
You can choose to Stop processing more rules. Learn more about Stop processing more rules in Outlook.
-
When you're done, select Save.
Redirect all messages to another account in Outlook on the web
Messages that are redirected will appear to come from the original sender. When someone replies to a message that has been redirected, the reply will be sent to the original sender.
-
At the top of the page, select Settings .
-
Select Mail > Rules.
-
Select Add new rule.
-
Enter a name for your rule.
-
Add a condition: choose Apply to all messages.
-
You can also Add another condition, if you'd like.
-
-
Add an action: choose Redirect to, and then enter the email address where you'd like your messages to be redirected.
-
You can also Add another action or Add an exception here.
-
-
You can choose to Stop processing more rules. Learn more about Stop processing more rules in Outlook.
-
When you're done, select Save.
Forward all messages to another account in Outlook.com
Messages that are forwarded will appear to be forwarded from you. When someone replies to a message that has been forwarded, the reply will be sent to the address the message was forwarded from, not to the original sender.
-
At the top of the page, select Settings .
-
Select Mail > Rules.
-
Select Add new rule.
-
Enter a name for your rule.
-
Add a condition: choose Apply to all messages.
-
You can also Add another condition, if you'd like.
-
-
Add an action: choose Forward to or Forward as attachment, and then enter the email address where you'd like your messages to be forwarded.
-
You can also Add another action or Add an exception here.
-
-
You can choose to Stop processing more rules. Learn more about Stop processing more rules in Outlook.
-
When you're done, select Save.
Redirect all messages to another account in Outlook.com
Messages that are redirected will appear to come from the original sender. When someone replies to a message that has been redirected, the reply will be sent to the original sender.
-
At the top of the page, select Settings .
-
Select Mail > Rules.
-
Select Add new rule.
-
Enter a name for your rule.
-
Add a condition: choose Apply to all messages.
-
You can also Add another condition, if you'd like.
-
-
Add an action: choose Redirect to, and then enter the email address where you'd like your messages to be redirected.
-
You can also Add another action or Add an exception here.
-
-
You can choose to Stop processing more rules. Learn more about Stop processing more rules in Outlook.
-
When you're done, select Save.
What else do I need to know?
-
Copies of messages that you redirect or forward will remain in your mailbox. If you add an action to delete a message, the message will go to your Deleted Items folder and will still be counted against your mailbox limit. If you exceed your mailbox limit, you may be blocked from sending or receiving new messages, and forwarding rules may not work until you delete enough messages to bring the total below your mailbox limit.
-
When you create a forward or redirect rule, you can add more than one address to send to. The number of addresses you can send to may be limited, depending on the settings for your account. If you add more addresses than are allowed, your rule won’t work. If you create a rule with more than one address, test it to be sure it works.
See also
Manage email messages by using rules in Outlook
Edit or fix a broken rule in Outlook
Stop processing more rules in Outlook
Need more help?
Want more options?
Explore subscription benefits, browse training courses, learn how to secure your device, and more.
Communities help you ask and answer questions, give feedback, and hear from experts with rich knowledge.
