How to Configure Outlook Email Notifications in Windows 10

Configuring Notifications in Windows 10
Microsoft, Inc.
by Heinz Tschabitscher
An independent writer who has reviewed hundreds of email programs and services since 1997.
Updated September 23, 2018

When a new email arrives, you expect Outlook to show you a notification. If this doesn't happen, you lose out on speedy replies, fast business, quick updates, and instant fun.

The Outlook notification banner may not display in Windows 10 for one of two reasons: notifications are disabled altogether, or Outlook is not included in the list of applications that can send notifications. Both are easy to fix, and the near-instant gratification of notifications is back.

Enable Outlook Email Notifications in Windows 10

To turn on notification banners for new messages in Outlook with Windows 10:

  1. Open the Start menu in Windows.

  2. Select Settings.

  3. Open the System category.

  4. Select Notifications & actions.

  5. Enable Show app notifications under Notifications.

  6. Select Outlook under Show Notifications from these apps.

  7. Make sure Notifications is enabled.

  8. Now make sure Show notification banners is enabled as well.

See Previous Notifications From Outlook

To access new email notifications you missed, select the Notifications icon in the Windows taskbar. The icon appears white when you have unread notifications.

Change How Long Notification Banners Stay Visible

To configure the time for which notification banners like those for new emails in Outlook stay visible on screen before sliding out of view:

  1. Open the Start menu.

  2. Choose Settings from the menu.

  3. Go to the Ease of Access category.

  4. Open Other options.

  5. Pick the desired time for Windows to show notifications on the screen under Show notifications for.