Incoming message alerts are easy to set up on Outlook

How do I … set up an alert for incoming messages in Outlook?

When you install Outlook on a PC, it allows you to get a desktop alert when a new message arrives. The options: have a transparent pane appear with a short summary of the message; or have an icon with an envelope appear on your tray.

Here are the steps: Go to Tools, then Options. In the Preference tab select Advanced Email Options. Under “When new items arrive” check “Display a New Desktop Mail Alert.” Then click on Desktop Alert Settings and choose how the alerts look and what level of transparency they have.

If you only want the envelope icon, choose that option at the “When New Items Arrive” point.