How to reset the Autowhitelist in GFI MailEssentials

Answer

If the Autowhitelist.mdb either contains incorrect entries (internal / external) or has reached its limit of 1.7 GB you might consider resetting the database. Instead of going through the Autowhitelist and manually removing the entries, a new fresh database file can be applied. You can obtain this fresh file by contacting GFI Software Technical Support:

To apply the fresh database file:

1. Stop all GFI MailEssentials services and rename the current autowhitelist.mdb to autowhitelist.old. This file can be found in the following locations:
   • MailEssentials: ..\Program Files\GFI\MailEssentials\Antispam
2. Replace the original autowhitelist.mdb file with the autowhitelist file sent by the support representative
3. Restart all GFI MailEssential services. The Autowhitelist should now not contain any entries.

Starting with GFI MailEssentials 2015 and later. GFI MailEssentials no longer uses the Autowhitelist.mdb and now will be stored on the Controllists.sdf. Database is located in Program Files\GFI\MailEssentials\Antispam\Data.  In order to clear out the entries follow the steps below.

1. Open GFI MailEssentials Configuration
2. Navigate to the Antispam > Whitelist > Auto Whitelist Tab
3. Under the Maximum entries set the value to 1 and hit apply
4. Allow the automated purge settings to remove the entries