The April 26 2011 update fixes a problem with IMAP accounts where the new mail icon is not visible. Outlook 2010′s April 26, 2011 hotfix
In previous versions of Outlook, there was a “new mail” icon placed in Window’s notification tray, alerting users to new messages. In Outlook 2010 on Windows 7, an envelope icon is placed in the notification area of the tray as well as on the large icon in the taskbar.
The Outlook icon on the task bar changes if there are new messages. This change is, in part, because of changes to the notification tray itself.
No new mail >> 
New Mail >> 
Small icon >> 
When you use the standard “large” icons, you’ll see the New Mail icon, if you use small icons, you won’t get the envelope on the icon.
Notification Area
The new mail envelope is also added to the notification area. However, because many of the icons in the notification tray are hidden, you may not see it.
You can change the settings so the new mail envelope is always visible in the notification area (system tray).
- Click the Customize link in the overflow (or Right click on the Taskbar and choose Properties, then Customize button)
- Locate the two Outlook icons – one is for the program and uses the Outlook icon that is displayed in the Taskbar (and in the icon screenshot above). The second one is the envelope icon.
- On the envelope icon’s entry, choose Show icon and notifications from the Behaviours to the right of the icon and program name.
Desktop Alert
New Mail icon with IMAP accounts
When using the RTM version of Outlook, IMAP accounts do not display a new mail icon. The fix for this is included in Outlook 2010 SP1.
When using IMAP accounts, you’ll get the new mail envelope (when SP1 is installed) but will not see the blue Desktop Alert. This is expected behavior and is unlikely to change in current versions.
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Last reviewed on Sep 28, 2011
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