How to Enable or Disable Outlook Notifications in Windows
If you use Microsoft Outlook as the email client on your Windows 10/11 computer, you can configure the program to send you desktop notifications whenever your email accounts receive new mail. You must access the Outlook Options dialog to manage your mail notification settings. Here’s how:
You can also check the sub-option labeled Enable preview for Rights Protected messages (May impact performance) to receive notification previews for protected messages.
Next, check the boxes next to the following options if you need additional cues for incoming mail.
Play a sound: Prompts Outlook to make a sound for new messages. Briefly change the mouse pointer: Changes the mouse pointer to indicate new mail. Show an envelope icon in the taskbar: Displays an Envelope icon on the system tray area to denote unread mail.
If Outlook’s new mail notifications distract you, re-open the Outlook Options dialog, select Mail, and disable Display a Desktop Alert and any other alert types you want. If you only want to pause notifications briefly, a better alternative is to activate Do Not Disturb or Focus Assist in Windows.
How to Enable or Disable Outlook Notifications in macOS
Like on Windows, Microsoft Outlook for Mac can send notifications when receiving new mail. Visit the Outlook Preferences pane to enable email alerts and manage how they work. Other options related to incoming email that you can enable include:
Bounce Outlook icon in Desktop: Makes the Outlook icon bounce on the Dock for new mail. New Message: Prompts your Mac to chime for new messages. Badge count: Displays a badge count on the Outlook icon for unread mail within Focused Inboxes or all inboxes.
To disable Outlook notifications, revisit the Notifications and Sounds screen within the Outlook Preferences and uncheck Display an alert on my desktop and other alert types. You can also eliminate distractions by putting your Mac on Do Not Disturb/Focus.
How to Enable or Disable Desktop Notifications in Outlook.com
If you use the web version of Outlook on your Windows or Mac computer, you can enable desktop notifications for instances when you don’t have the web app open in a tab. To do that: Optionally, select View all Outlook settings (underneath the Desktop notifications option) and choose General > Notifications. Then, decide between receiving desktop notifications for all incoming messages (Messages in Inbox) or emails from your favorite contacts only (Messages from favorite people). To disable Outlook.com’s desktop notifications on your PC or Mac, re-open the web interface’s Settings sidebar and deactivate the switch next to Desktop notifications.
How to Enable or Disable Outlook Notifications on Android
If you miss or skip the prompt that enables notifications after installing Outlook on your Android, you can activate alerts through the app’s built-in Notifications management pane. However, before you do that, you must check if Outlook has system permissions to send you new mail alerts. To do that:
With Outlook notifications active on your Android device, you must:
Notifications from: Choose what incoming messages you want to receive alerts for. Available options include All mail, Focused inbox only, and Favorite people. New mail sound: Let your Android phone ring or vibrate when you receive new mail.
If you want to disable email notifications in Outlook on Android, go to the app’s Notifications screen again and set Notifications from to None. Or, put your Android phone in Do Not Disturb mode.
How to Enable or Disable Outlook Notifications on iPhone
Before setting up and customizing Outlook alerts on your iPhone or iPad, you must give the app permission to send notifications. Here’s how: Once you’ve done that, visit Outlook’s Notifications management screen to enable and manage new email alerts.
Focused and Other Inboxes: Sends alerts for all email messages. Focused Inbox: Sends notifications for mail you receive on your Focused Inbox only. Favorite People: Sends notifications from your favorite contacts only.
Additionally, tap Sound for New Mail to set up a sound for incoming mail. To disable email notifications in Outlook on iOS, visit the same screen as above and select None under each email account. Alternatively, enable Do Not Disturb or use Focus on your iPhone.
Enable Outlook Email Alerts or Turn Them Off
Keeping track of incoming emails is important, but so is maintaining your focus. It’s all about finding what works best for you, so enable, customize, or disable email alerts in Outlook per your needs and preferences.
