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There was an error reading the rules from the server. The format of the server rules was not recognized

wchrisb 16 Reputation points
2020-07-31T12:49:30.083+00:00

****NOTE:** I originally posted this in the standard MS Community Forums. They redirected to TechNet that redirected me here.**

I have recently been upgraded by my email provider (GoDaddy) to a new email server which requires using MS Exchange. In making that change, my rules began to have problems. I recreated all "receive" emails on the server via Outlook.com in both email accounts affected by the move to Exchange. Once created, I deleted the same rules I had created locally (client only). The system worked great for about a week. Then, earlier this week, I began getting the message "There was an error reading the rules from the server. The format of the server rules was not recognized" on one of my email accounts. I have been unable to get this to stop since. I completely disabled the rules no the one account to see if that would do anything and it did not. It should be noted that the rules are running on the server. They have disappeared locally and I get the error message anytime I log into my local version of Outlook or try to manage the rules from my desktop.

Is there a way to resolve this issue?

Outlook Management
Outlook Management
Outlook: A family of Microsoft email and calendar products.Management: The act or process of organizing, handling, directing or controlling something.
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  1. Eric Yin-MSFT 4,386 Reputation points
    2020-08-12T06:47:02.397+00:00

    You can try removing the rules and recreate them via Exchange Management Shell for those mailboxes who migrated to Exchange, see if the issue persists.
    For detailed steps, refer to this blog:https://www.codetwo.com/admins-blog/managing-outlook-rules-powershell/
    Please Note: Since the web site is not hosted by Microsoft, the link may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this information.

  2. Michael Poor 1 Reputation point
    2021-02-06T14:39:14.477+00:00

    I can't get rid of one client-only rule. No matter how many times I exit, delete etc...

  3. Chris B 1 Reputation point
    2021-03-13T14:00:00.467+00:00

    What amazes me about all of this is there is clearly a problem with Outlook based on the number of people I have seen with this same problem between this post and a bunch of others. Microsoft seems to have determined there is no reason to correct it and is putting the solution on us finding work-arounds. What a great company!

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  4. Marvin Spydr 1 Reputation point
    2022-02-11T12:57:03.927+00:00

    @Amit Dodake This worked for me, thank you. If you hit server button you'll have to do the steps again xd

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  5. G.Komatsu_CL 1 Reputation point
    2022-12-15T14:32:20.57+00:00

    Go to https://outlook.office365.com/mail/ check the rules from web GUI after you removed all the rules locally. If there is any left out rules there from web, remove them. Then restart local Outlook, those empty "Client Only" rules disappeared. This work for me.

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