How to Change the Outlook Email Notification Sound

Get an audio notification when you receive a new Outlook mail

By
Heinz Tschabitscher
Heinz Tschabitscher
Heinz Tschabitscher
Writer
  • University of Vienna
A former freelance contributor who has reviewed hundreds of email programs and services since 1997.
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Updated on January 29, 2021
Reviewed by
Jon Fisher
Jon Fisher headshot
Reviewed by Jon Fisher
  • Wichita Technical Institute
Jonathan Fisher is a CompTIA certified technologist with more than 6 years' experience writing for publications like TechNorms and Help Desk Geek.
lifewire's editorial guidelines

What to Know

  • Windows 10: Open the Start menu and go to Settings > Personalization > Themes > Sounds (or Advanced sound settings).
  • Then, in the Sounds tab, expand the Windows group in the list and select New Mail Notification. Select the Sounds drop-down arrow.
  • Mac: Open Outlook and go to Preferences > Notifications & Sounds, then select a sound under Message arrival.

This article explains how to change the sounds for email notifications in Outlook. Instructions apply to Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, and Outlook for Microsoft 365.

How to Change the Outlook Email Notification Sound in Windows 10

To have Windows play a different sound when you receive new emails in Outlook:

  1. In Windows, open the Start menu and select Settings. This item may appear as a gear icon (⚙️).

    Screenshot of Settings in Windows 10

  2. In the Settings window, select Personalization.

    Screenshot of Personalization in Windows Settings

  3. Select Themes.

    Screenshot of Themes in the Settings window in Windows 10

  4. Select Sounds.

    Depending on your version of Windows, this item may be found in the Related Settings section and called Advanced sound settings.

  5. In the Sound dialog box, select the Sounds tab.

    Screenshot of the Sound settings in Windows 10

  6. In the Program Events list, go to the Windows group and select New Mail Notification.

    Screenshot of New Mail Notifications in Sound Settings

  7. Select the Sounds dropdown arrow and choose the desired sound.

    Screenshot of selecting a sound notification in Windows 10

    To disable the new mail notification sound in Outlook and other Microsoft email programs such as Mail for Windows 10 or Windows Live Mail, select (None).

  8. To preview the sound, select Test.

  9. Select OK to save the new sound notification setting.

  10. Close the Settings window.

Change the Outlook Email Notification Sound in Mac

To change the new mail notification sound for Outlook in Mac:

  1. Open Outlook, and select Preferences.
  2. In the Personal Settings section, select Notifications & Sounds.
  3. Under Message arrival, select the sound for new email notifications.
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