This section is guidance about how to turn on or off the alert when email messages arrive in Microsoft Outlook 20. In the Message arrival section, un-check Display a Desktop Alert. It only takes a few steps to disable these alerts in Outlook 2013 or 2016: Go to the File tab. You’ll have to repeat the steps fro anyone else you want to get notifications from, but your spouse, boss, and someone that typically demands a quick response are generally good starts. Turn on / off alert when emails arrive in Outlook 2010 / 2013. If you are sharing your desktop, giving a presentation, or recording a video, the desktop notifications may interrupt your process. This video provides instructions for turning off sounds in the Outlook. Now, when this person emails you, you’ll get a notification. Are email notifications interrupting your important tasks There’s some debate over the most effective and productive way to be notified and reminded of your new email, but if you find the sound distracting, you can easily disable the sound of incoming email in Outlook.