"Offering free computer help, hints, and tips to the Internet populace." Now with over 3,820 tips!

Windows XP - Outlook Express

Stop Playing a Sound When New E-Mail Arrives

SUMMARY: Prevent Outlook Express from audibly notifying you when new messages arrive.

Outlook Express in Windows XP plays a sound whenever new e-mail arrives. This is useful if you are multitasking; instead of keeping track of the Outlook Express window, you can work on other software and know by a sound whenever you need to check your Inbox.

There are some circumstances, however, where you do not want to hear when new messages arrive. For example, you may be listening to music or playing a game and may find the sound distracting. Thus, it can be disabled:

1. Click the "Tools" menu, selecting "Options".

2. The "Options" multi-tabbed dialog box appears. Make sure the "General" tab is selected.

3. Underneath "Send / Receive Messages", uncheck "Play sound when new messages arrive".

Disabling audio notifications when new messages arrive in Windows XP's Outlook Express

4. Click "OK" to close the dialog box.