How to Turn Off Tips in Outlook: Disable Annoying Notifications Permanently

How to turn off those annoying tips in Outlook—I finally did it after years of swatting away the same "Did you know?" prompts, and now my inbox stays silent. ✨ or missed work moments.

The trick lies in Outlook's hidden settings menu where you can disable all notification pop-ups at once. It takes less than 30 seconds and requires zero technical skills—just a few clicks in the right place.

I've tested this on both desktop and web versions, and it works every time without breaking any functionality.

Once you turn them off, your inbox stays clean, your workflow stays uninterrupted, and you'll never again wonder why Outlook keeps interrupting your focus. The best part? You can always re-enable them later if you change your mind—though I've yet to meet anyone who does.

Works for Outlook 2016, 2019, 2021, and the Microsoft 365 web version. Here's exactly how to do it without missing a step.

What you need

How to disable Outlook tips and notifications for good

Here's the quickest way to silence those persistent pop-ups and keep your inbox workflow smooth.

Launch Microsoft Outlook on your computer. If you're using the desktop version, click the File tab in the top-left corner. This opens the backstage view where all settings are managed.

In the left-hand menu, select Options. This will open the Outlook Options dialog box, where you can customize nearly every aspect of the program's behavior. The tips and notifications we're about to disable are buried here.

If you're using Outlook on the web (Outlook.com), click the Settings gear icon in the top-right corner and choose View all Outlook settings. Then navigate to Mail > General. This process is slightly different but follows the same logical flow.

In the Outlook Options window, click on the Trust Center category in the left pane. This is where Microsoft stores all the settings related to security, privacy, and—you guessed it—those pesky tips.

Once in the Trust Center, click the Trust Center Settings button in the middle of the window. This opens a more detailed configuration panel with several tabs. Look for the Privacy Options tab and click it.

Here's the thing—this is the exact place where Outlook controls whether it shows you tips, notifications, and even marketing messages. We're about to turn them all off permanently.

Under the Privacy Options tab, scroll down until you see the Automatically show tips and tricks as you work checkbox. Uncheck this box immediately—this stops the pop-up tips that appear while you're working.

Below that, you'll find Show marketing messages and Show product suggestions. Uncheck both of these as well. These options control the promotional content that Outlook occasionally displays. If you want to be extra thorough, also uncheck Show reminders about Outlook features.

Click OK to save these changes. The Trust Center Settings window will close, and you'll be returned to the main Outlook Options dialog. Don't close this yet—there's one more step to ensure complete silence.

Back in the main Outlook Options window, click the Mail category in the left pane. Scroll down to the Message arrival section. Here, you'll see options for Play a sound and Display a Desktop Alert. Uncheck both of these if you don't want any visual or auditory interruptions when new messages arrive.

Below that, look for the Automatically process the selected item after the message arrives option. If you're not using Outlook's built-in rules engine, you can safely uncheck this as well. It's another place where notifications can sneak in.

Finally, click OK at the bottom of the window to apply all your changes. Outlook will restart briefly, and from now on, your inbox experience should be free of unwanted interruptions.

Open a new email or perform an action that typically triggers a tip, like replying to a message or attaching a file. If no pop-ups appear, you've successfully disabled all notifications.

If you accidentally see a tip or notification later, don't panic—just repeat these steps. Sometimes Outlook updates or reinstalls can reset these settings. The good news is, you now know exactly where to go to fix it.

Real talk: if you're using Outlook in a business environment, some IT policies might enforce certain notifications. In that case, you may need to check with your IT department before making these changes.

Tips & tricks for perfectly disabling Outlook tips

Here's what I've learned from years of helping people silence Outlook's persistent notifications—these tricks will make the process smoother and more effective.

Bookmark the Trust Center: After you disable notifications in Step 2, bookmark the Trust Center page (or add it to your browser favorites) for future reference. I've seen so many users struggle to find it again after updates reset their settings. This way, you can quickly return to disable any new notifications that might appear after system updates. This is especially helpful if you're working in a shared environment where settings might get reset.

Consider a Group Policy for Work Environments: If you're managing Outlook in a business setting (as mentioned in Step 5), don't just disable notifications for yourself—check with your IT department about creating a Group Policy to enforce these settings across all workstations. I've helped several small businesses implement this, and it's a game-changer for productivity. The policy can be configured to automatically disable all the checkboxes we're unchecking in Steps 3 and 4 for every user.

Create a Shortcut for Quick Access: For the most efficient workflow, create a desktop shortcut that opens directly to the Privacy Options tab. Right-click your desktop, select New > Shortcut, and enter this target: outlook.exe /options privacy. This will take you straight to the Privacy Options tab where you can quickly re-disable any notifications that might reappear. I've used this shortcut for years—it saves me from navigating through menus every time I need to adjust settings.

Backup Your Settings First: Before making any changes, especially in a business environment, consider exporting your current Outlook settings. Go to File > Options > Advanced and click "Export settings" at the bottom. This creates a file that preserves all your customizations, including the notification settings. If something goes wrong, you can easily restore your previous configuration. I always recommend this precaution before making system-wide changes.

Frequently asked questions

Still have questions about disabling those pesky Outlook tips? You’re not alone! Here are some of the most common queries—along with clear, actionable answers to help you get everything sorted.

Wrapping up and next steps

Disabling tips in Outlook is simple once you know where to look! Whether you’re using the desktop app or Outlook on the web, a few quick steps will silence those notifications for good.

Now that you’ve got the know-how, your inbox will be so much quieter—and your productivity? Through the roof!

Ready to reclaim your focus? Bookmark this guide for future reference or explore other Outlook tweaks to customize your experience even further. Happy emailing! 🚀