A user had a problem with excessive new email alerts:
I have several email accounts. One account receives a lot of email that does not require my immediate attention. Is there a way to turn off the notifications for this account? This account receives hundreds of emails daily and the constant notifications are distracting.
You can't disable notification for one account only (well, at least not in Outlook for Windows), but you can disable notifications for all accounts then create rules to display notifications for the specific accounts you want notifications for.
In Outlook for Windows, turn off global notification in File, Options, Mail by unticking Display a Desktop Alert. If you have Play a sound or Show an envelope in the taskbar enabled, you can turn those off too.
Next, create a rule for the accounts you want to receive a notification for.
- Open the Rule and Alerts dialog
- Click New Rule
- Choose Apply rule after messages arrive
- Click Next twice to apply the rule to all messages sent to this account
- Choose Display a Desktop Alert (and Play a sound, if desired) as the Action(s)
- Click Next again and complete the rule.
Repeat for the steps for each email account you want alerts on.
"Outlook for Mac
In the "legacy" Outlook for Mac you can create a rule to not display notifications or use the Outlook for Windows method of turning off global notifications and use rules for notifications.
To create a rule for no notifications in a specific account
- Open the Rules dialog (from the Tools menu) and select the account you want to create the rule for. You'll need to create the Exchange account under Client rules to create this rule in Exchange accounts.
- Choose Account from the list of Conditions then choose your account name. Choose Do Not Notify from the list of actions.
To turn off all notifications and enable rules for specific accounts:
- Turn off global notifications in Outlook's Preferences, Notifications and Sounds
- Create a rule for each account you want to be notified on.
Annon says
Is there a script to show the envelope icon in the taskbar for only one account but not others? I seem to only have all or nothing options. But really only want the envelope for my main account.
Diane Poremsky says
There is nothing built into Outlook on windows that can do that, it's all or nothing. The only solution I can think of is a rule or macro that marks messages in the other accounts read. I forget if marking using a rule removes the envelope, but a macro might. I'll need to test it.
anon says
Thanks! Worked great.
Derek says
Has anyone found a way to disable notifications for specific accounts on the new Mac Outlook?
Diane Poremsky says
I haven't looked lately, but when rules work on all of the accounts, you might be able to set a rule to notify of some accounts and turn off notification in general.
Andrew says
This is out of date.
Diane Poremsky says
I need to update the Mac version to include the New Outlook - but windows and (now legacy) Outlook on Mac are correct.
yappi says
Yes, lets maybe also include version for win 98?
Diane Poremsky says
What version of Outlook are you using? That is what controls what options are available.
sal says
what about calendar notifications, not just mail?
Diane Poremsky says
About the only way you could do that for calendars is by removing reminders from the events - it might work to use a macro to dismiss them when they file, assuming it can detect which calendar the event is on.
@dh says
Can you please show an update on how to do this on the updated Mac Outlook app.
Diane Poremsky says
This is with the New Outlook switch enabled? Rules are not fully enabled in the new outlook - they only work for business accounts - and link into the outlook on the web rules, which does not have a notify option. I don't expect this to change as they improve the "new" Outlook.
Helpymchelpface says
This is incorrect now . Right click on the account and select turn off notifications.
Diane Poremsky says
That is a Windows 10 Mail feature, not Outlook desktop.
Sid says
Thanks!
Driving me up the wall for the last two days all these notifications from shared mail boxes.
anonymous says
This worked but still hear the bell sound when a new email comes in. How do I disable the sound as well? I am on and followed the instructions for Mac - "To create a rule for no notifications in a specific account"
Amanda says
If i remove the alert and set up a rule to only see my inbox new mail will it turn off the notification for everyone if its a shared email account?
Robin says
No the rule wil only run on you're device.