I've created a new transport rule to block a certain number of user i.e. 50 users out of 75 users. The Rule priority is set to 0. Rule does apply immediately and no one can send the email except the those 25 exempted users. This is fine but at the same time those exempted 25 users can't receive any email from outside exchange (from live.com / gmail account). thanks in advance.

Can you post the exact rule?

Hi,Can you show us the Rule you created?if I was dropping a message (silently however in this instance) I would:New-TransportRule -Name 'Oliver Test' -Comments '' -Conditions 'Microsoft.Exchange.MessagingPolicies.Rules.Tasks.FromPredicate' -Actions 'Microsoft.Exchange.MessagingPolicies.Rules.Tasks.DeleteMessageAction' -Exceptions -Enabled $true -Priority '0'Are you 100% sure incoming mail is blocked? Incoming external email works when the rule is deleted or disabled? Have you performed simple telnet tasks to your Hub Transport/Edge Servers to test mail flow?Finally what does Message Tracking say?Oliver Oliver Moazzezi | Exchange MVP, MCSA:M, MCTS:Exchange 2010, BA (Hons) Anim | http://www.exchange2007.com | http://www.exchange2010.com | http://www.cobweb.com |

this is the rule and it does work and fine and doens't let anyone send the message from thsoe users who are mentioned below but i don't get it why is it unable to receive any email from external domain.STOP Send Rule Comments: stop users from sending and receving Apply rule to messagesfrom Account Forwarder Haseeb or Accounts Forwarder orAdministrator orFaisal or Fax or Foaud or Voicemailsend Delivery not authorized, message refused to sender with 5.7.1 Delivery has failed to these recipients or distribution lists: abc@abc.comYour message wasn't delivered because of security policies. Microsoft Exchange will not try to redeliver this message for you. Please provide the following diagnostic text to your system administrator. I tried to find emails ent to me in the message tracking but i didn't find any... it is weired.How do I change the setting on the exchange if exchange is unable to deliver the email it must send the bounce error immediately instead of retrying. I got this bouncing message after many hours.thanks.

The rule comments say"stop users from sending and receving". Is that your intent?

As Andy David said, that from the comments appears to stops users from sending and recieving..If creating a rule through the EMC, select 'from people' - then select the user or group, then click next. Then select 'silently drop the message'.Ensure you name the rule well and append 'well written and labeled comments'.OliverOliver Moazzezi | Exchange MVP, MCSA:M, MCTS:Exchange 2010, BA (Hons) Anim | http://www.exchange2007.com | http://www.exchange2010.com | http://www.cobweb.com |

I intend the users to stop sending the email except the exempted users. I did create the rule from EMC.What is the difference between silently drop the message or send bounce error message. does both work differently?

Sending a bounce generates a NDR.Silently dropping means the sender gets no notfication that the message did not go through.Check your rule again and ensure its only applied to those sending users. Not receiving.

I intend the users to stop sending the email except the exempted users. I did create the rule from EMC.What is the difference between silently drop the message or send bounce error message. does both work differently? Andy David stated the difference, in regards to your rule,have it as 'from people' not ' sent to people' as well as.OliverOliver Moazzezi | Exchange MVP, MCSA:M, MCTS:Exchange 2010, BA (Hons) Anim | http://www.exchange2007.com | http://www.exchange2010.com | http://www.cobweb.com |

does it matter if exempted users are part of certain Mail Enabled Universal Distribution Group or any Mail Contact?

I did and same issue again.I think I'm wrong at some point. this how i'm configuring the rule.step-1 Rule namestep-2 From people (the people whom I want to stop sending the email)step-3 Action (in this case I want to receive the NDR message)step-4 Exceptions (I leave it blank.)in the step 4 do I need to mention all those users who are exempted sending emails?thanks.

You need to define the action in Step 3. That would be to "send Bounce Message to Sender with Enhanced Status Code"

yes did mention in step-3 to drop the message. but why all other users stop rweceiving the emails. I just want them to stop sending.