How to Configure Outlook Email Notifications in Windows 10

Get those important Outlook email notifications in Windows 10

by Heinz Tschabitscher
A former freelance contributor who has reviewed hundreds of email programs and services since 1997.
Updated November 08, 2019

When a new email arrives, Outlook may or may not show you a notification. The Outlook notification banner doesn't display in Windows 10 when notifications are disabled or when Outlook is not included in the list of applications that can send notifications. If you want to receive a notification when a new email appears in your Outlook inbox, set up notifications in Windows 10.

Instructions in this article apply to Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013; and Outlook for Office 365.

Illustration of a person configuring Outlook notification settings
Lifewire / Derek Abella

Enable Outlook Email Notifications in Windows 10

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

  1. In Windows 10, open the Start menu.

  2. Select Settings.

    Settings gear icon in Windows 10 Start Menu

  3. Select the System category.

    System icon in Windows Settings

  4. Select Notifications & actions.

    Notification settings within Windows 10.

  5. Scroll down to the Get notifications from these senders section.

    Scrolling to the notifications from senders section in Windows 10.

  6. Scroll to Outlook.

    Viewing the Outlook icon within notifications and actions settings in Windows 10.

  7. Turn on the Outlook Notifications toggle.

    Notifications & actions Outlook toggle

  8. Select Outlook.

  9. Turn on the Show notification banners toggle.

    Show notification banners toggle ON

  10. Close the Settings window.

See Previous Notifications From Outlook

To access new email notifications, go to the Windows taskbar and select the Notifications icon. The icon is white when there are unread notifications.

Notifications button in Windows 10

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.

    Selecting the settings icon in Windows 10.

  3. Select the Ease of Access category.

    Viewing the Windows Setting panel in Windows 10.

    If you don't see the Ease of Access category, search for this category in the Settings Search box.

  4. Scroll to the Simplify and personalize Windows section.

  5. Select the Show notifications for dropdown arrow and choose the desired time for Windows to show notifications.

    Show notifications timing settings

  6. Close the Settings window.