We show you how to enable or disable the email notification box that appears in the Windows Taskbar whenever you receive a new message in Microsoft Outlook.
Note: This post is to enable or disable the notification box. For the sound notification, see our post Turn Mail Notification Sound On/Off in Outlook 2016
Fix 1: Outlook Setting
- In Outlook, select the “File” menu.
- Select “Options“.
- Choose the “Mail” option in the left pane.
- Scroll down to the “Message arrival” section. Check the “Display a Desktop Alert” box if you want a notification box to appear when you receive an email. Uncheck it if you don’t want a notification box to appear. You can also choose “Show an envelope icon in the taskbar” if you wish.
Fix 2 – Windows Notification Settings
- Right-click a blank area on the taskbar, then select “Taskbar settings“.
- Scroll down to the area that says “Notification area” and choose the “Select which icons appear on the taskbar“.
- Look for “Microsoft Outlook” entry. There may be several, but look for the one that says “Microsoft Outlook – You have new unread e-mail messages.” and toggle it to the “On” position to enable it. Turn it “Off” to disable it.
Patty says
May 2, 2019 at 11:27 amNo did not work.
I want to see the subject line and sender appear in the lower right side of my desktop. So, 1) I know I have a new email and 2) I know if it is important to read immediately, or if it can wait.
I now have the envelope icon appear briefly, but I have to open outlook to see if it is important or junk. This is a waste of time in my work flow.
Also, the envelope disappears. So if I am focused on other work it may disappear before I see it..
Very frustrating.
I liked the way it worked on my Win7 OS, Am on Win10 now. May be a Win10 issue?????
Kevin M says
March 28, 2019 at 7:24 amNone of these worked for me. I’m still getting a big annoying notification every time I receive a new email.
Any other ideas?
John Bowen says
January 24, 2019 at 8:42 pmnicely written explanation, but all these settings were already turned off, yet I still get a window pop up on emails.
Ullas says
December 27, 2018 at 2:57 amHi Mitch, i am getting new mails on real-time basis but the notification alerts will come together sometimes after 45-50 minutes. i might have already read and attended to the mails…. Its very annoying as it will not allow to work or type during the alerts are running. Any ideas how to address this?
Mitch Bartlett says
December 18, 2018 at 9:39 amStop harassing her Bradley. No means no!
Bradley Whitrick says
December 18, 2018 at 9:26 amA girl in my office shouts at me when i send emails, what should i do?
Sandra says
November 19, 2018 at 10:33 amI am trying to turn the sound off the notification bar for Microsoft Outlook I do want the notification when I receive an email but I do not want the sound please help me.
Folder Captain says
November 19, 2018 at 9:57 amI tried those steps and it didn’t work for me. I would get a little mail icon in the corner but I couldn’t see the message. For it to work for me, I clicked on the notification box in the corner and all my notifications came up. If you right click one of your email notifications, it will say, “go to notification setting”. Click on that and you will be able to edit those settings. Mine is working now.
[email protected] says
November 8, 2018 at 5:04 pmI have a user that gets new emails but the alert sometimes is 45-50 minutes before the popup appears. Any ideas?
Doug Reid says
November 8, 2018 at 11:10 amNot working for me neither.
In the Taskbar, “Select which Icons appear” there is no “your have unread email messages” option.
Pablo says
October 9, 2018 at 9:41 amHi, I did everything you say but I still not receive the mail preview on the taskbar.
What would be the solution?
I’m using Windows 10 and outlook 2016.
Thanks!