Fixed! How do I Restore the Phishing Button in Outlook

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to get the Phishing button back in Outlook, as well as how to back up your Outlook settings to avoid data loss.

Rosie

By Rosie Updated on December 23, 2024

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How do I Turn on the Phish Alert Button in Outlook?

“I am having an issue with phishing emails and do not have a button or command line available to report. I have tried to add an app through the All Apps button and they will not add. I cannot see anywhere where this is available. I have the Office 365 subscription. What are my options?”

– Microsoft Community

Outlook’s Phishing Button plays a vital role in protecting users from phishing attacks by helping them report suspicious emails. However, sometimes this feature might disappear or be disabled for various reasons. If you're wondering: 'How do I restore the Phishing Button in Outlook', you've come to the right place. Next, we'll show you how to turn on and restore the Phishing Button while ensuring all of your Outlook data is safe during the process.

Solutions to Restore the Phishing Button in Outlook

Here are 3 effective solutions to restore the Phishing Button in Outlook, depending on your setup and preferences:

Solution 1. Add the Report as a Phishing Option

If the Phish Alert button is missing from your toolbar, you can manually add the Report Phishing option to the Ribbon.

1. Open Outlook.

2. Click the File tab and select Options.

3. Under Customize Ribbon, find the Home (Mail) tab and click the New Group button to create a custom section.

Customize Ribbon

4. In the list of commands, locate Report Phishing or Phishing and click Add.

Select Phishing

5. Hit OK to save your changes. The Phishing button should now appear on your Ribbon.

Phishing Available

Solution 2. Enable Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Features

For users with Microsoft Defender for Office 365, make sure phishing protection is enabled:

1. Go to the Microsoft 365 Defender portal.

2. Navigate to Threat Management > Policy.

3. Under Anti-Phishing, make sure the policy is enabled for your account.

Microsoft Defender

This action can restore phishing protection features, including the Phishing button.

Solution 3. Repair or Reinstall Outlook

If the above solutions don’t work, repairing or reinstalling Outlook might be necessary. Here’s how:

1. Open Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features.

2. Find Microsoft Office in the list, then click Change.

3. Select Repair (Quick Repair or Online Repair) and follow the prompts.

Repair Outlook

If repairing doesn’t restore the Phishing button, try reinstalling Outlook or the entire Office suite.

Make Backups Before You Restore the Outlook Phishing Button

Before diving into the solutions for restoring the Phishing button in Outlook, it’s a good idea to back up your Outlook data and settings. This way, you won’t risk losing important emails or settings during the process.

AOMEI Backupper Professional is the best choice, it is a powerful backup solution that allows you to create full Outlook backups, including your Outlook configurations, emails, and settings. By using AOMEI Backupper, you can:

AOMEI Backupper
Professional Outlook Data Backup Tool
  • Create a full image: Protect your entire setup by creating an image of your Outlook, which you can easily restore in case something goes wrong.

  • Backup Essential data: AOMEI Backupper can back up specific Outlook files or folders, ensuring you don’t lose important emails during troubleshooting.

  • Scheduled Backups: Set up automatic backups so your Outlook settings are always protected.

How to Back Up Your Outlook Account

Step 1: Open AOMEI Backupper, go to the Backup section, and select Outlook Backup.

Out Look

Step 2: Click on Add Outlook Data. This will show all your mailbox folders, such as Inbox, Sent Mail, Trash, and more, organized just like they appear in your account. Choose the folders you want to back up—whether all of them or just specific ones—and hit OK.

Add Email

★Tips: 
If you manage more than one mailbox, you can back them all up at the same time for convenience.

Step 3: Select a location to save your backup file. You can either pick a folder from the list or type in a custom destination path.

Select Destination

Step 4: Hit Start Backup to begin. Once the process finishes, click Finish to close the backup tool.

Start Backup

Using AOMEI Backupper is an effective way to safeguard your data before making any changes to your Outlook, ensuring that you can easily recover it if needed.

Alternative Ways to Report Phishing in Outlook

Even if the Phishing button is unavailable, alternative ways exist to report phishing emails in Outlook.

1. Using the "Report Message" Add-In

Microsoft offers a "Report Message" add-in that can be installed in Outlook. This add-in enables users to report phishing, junk, and other suspicious emails directly to Microsoft.

  1. Download and install the Report Message add-in from the Microsoft Store or Outlook settings.
  2. Once installed, you’ll see the Report option in your Outlook ribbon, making it easy to report phishing attempts without the Phishing button.

2. Manual Reporting to Microsoft

If the add-in is not an option, you can always manually report phishing attempts to Microsoft:

  • Forward the suspicious email to [email protected].
  • Alternatively, use the Microsoft Reporting Tool to submit the email directly to Microsoft’s security team.

FAQs about Outlook Phishing Feature

1. Why is my Phishing button missing in Outlook?
 
Your Phishing button may be missing for several reasons, including outdated software, incorrect settings, or a disabled feature due to security policies. Follow the steps above to restore it.
2. Can I disable the Phishing button in Outlook?
 
Yes, the Phishing button can be removed or disabled by modifying your Outlook settings or security policies. However, it’s not recommended to disable this feature, as it helps protect your account from phishing attacks.
3. How can I restore my Outlook settings if the Phishing button is lost?
 
You can restore your Outlook settings by using AOMEI Backupper to back up your Outlook data and configuration beforehand. If something goes wrong during troubleshooting, you can easily restore everything from the backup.

Final Words

How to restore Phishing button in Outlook? Now we can say it is a relatively simple process that can be done in just a few steps. Whether you add it to your ribbon, check your security settings, or reinstall Outlook, the Phishing Button is a critical tool in preventing phishing attacks.

Always make sure to back up your data using reliable software like AOMEI Backupper before making changes to your Outlook setup. By following these steps and taking the necessary precautions, you'll be able to restore the Phishing Button and keep your Outlook account secure.

Rosie
Rosie · Editor
Rosie is an English blog editor at AOMEI, specializing in backup solutions, Windows systems, disk cloning, and other data protection strategies. Her passion lies in creating informative content that helps users effectively address their data challenges.