Unopened Mail Icon indicates new mail when none exists

[sjmnyc]

I get the Outlook unopened mail icon in my notification area when there are
no new Outlook unopened messages. The notification is useless if I can't
believe it. Any suggestions?

 

[Diane Poremsky {MVP}]

Version of outlook? are you using rues to move messages to other folders?









** Please include your Outlook version, Account type, and Windows Version
when requesting assistance **

 

[sjmnyc]

Outlook 2007. Yes I am using rules to move messages. I get the icon when
there are no unopened messages either in the inbox or the other folders where
my rules move messages, thanks.

 

[Diane Poremsky {MVP}]

The icon only comes up when new mail arrives - the moved messages are
setting it off.









** Please include your Outlook version, Account type, and Windows Version
when requesting assistance **

 

[sjmnyc]

The icon appears even when there are no new messages anywhere, either in the
Inbox or the folders to which my rules move messages.

 

[Diane Poremsky {MVP}]

So you are not getting an new mail ever and it just pops up randomly? Are
you using spam filters or have rules to delete messages? Try disabling all
rules so you can see what new messages are arriving when the icon comes up.
Also note that it stays up as long as you have not marked any message as
read or until outlook is closed - so it could stay up all day.









** Please include your Outlook version, Account type, and Windows Version
when requesting assistance **

 

[sjmnyc]

Based on what you are saying the notification icon is useless if you use
basic Oulook funtionality like rules and spam filters.

 

[Diane Poremsky {MVP}]

It's always useless when you use rules.









** Please include your Outlook version, Account type, and Windows Version
when requesting assistance **

 

[sjmnyc]

Thanks - I find all the other notification options distracting so I leave
them off. I liked this one because it is subtle but I will turn it off as
well.

 

[Brian Tillman]

Based on what you are saying the notification icon is useless if you
use basic Oulook funtionality like rules and spam filters.

Well, not completely, but it's certainly less useful.

 

[Diane Poremsky {MVP}]

I got in the habit of never looking at it - I should disable it. The
'toast' is no longer distracting - I'm now very good about only opening
really important messages. That's really the big thing with any type of new
mail alerts - you need to make the decision whether or not you should take a
break to read mail. More and more I'm making the decision not to interrupt
my work to read mail, thanks in part to the toast showing me what is new and
the willpower to not respond immediately to most messages, except during
certain periods of the day. The new mail folder (or custom search folders)
is also helpful - use it and review all the new mail at set periods, rather
than the inbox every time new mail arrives.









** Please include your Outlook version, Account type, and Windows Version
when requesting assistance **