Desktop Notifications aren't working for Emails Moved by Rules

Question

Desktop Notifications aren't working for Emails Moved by Rules

Kiran Rayidi 5

Hello Microsoft Outlook Team,

I have identified what appears to be a limitation in New Outlook regarding desktop notifications.

I use a rule that automatically moves incoming emails matching specific criteria to a folder named "w/o Requisition." While the rule works correctly and the emails are delivered to the folder as expected, New Outlook does not display desktop notifications for those messages.

I continue to receive notifications for emails delivered to my Inbox, but not for emails that are automatically moved to another folder by a rule.

This behavior creates a significant usability issue. These emails are time-sensitive and require prompt attention. The ability to organize emails with rules should not prevent users from receiving new mail notifications.

I would like to request that New Outlook provide an option to display desktop notifications for emails received in user-created folders, including emails that are automatically moved by rules.

Thank you for considering this feedback.

Regards,

0 comments

3 answers

Your answer

Answer 1

@Kiran Rayidi said

I would like to request that New Outlook provide an option to display desktop notifications for emails received in user-created folders, including emails that are automatically moved by rules

1 -- You can vote for and comment on this existing Feature Request
(You must "Sign In" at the top right of the Feedback page before you can vote).

Notifications are only triggered for messages that arrive in the Inbox
https://feedbackportal.microsoft.com/feedback/idea/ad5d1192-42b3-f011-aa43-7c1e526e4a18

2 -- There are some possible workarounds.

See this article from @Teresa Cyrus :
[External Non-Microsoft Site] https://traccreations4e.com/new-outlook-subfolder-notifications/

Prompt your favorite AI with something like this:

How to get a notification in New Outlook for Windows when the email is moved to a folder, using "Copy to folder" and Auto-Clean

There are also solutions using Power Automate.

Kiran Rayidi 5 Reputation points

2026-08-06T12:48:44.18+00:00

Hi Hornblower409, I voted for the existing comment.

Thanks for the workaround links and prompts.

Answer 2

Hin Vo 0 Independent Advisor

Hi @Kiran Rayidi
As far as I know, Desktop Alerts are generated for messages that are delivered to the Inbox. When a rule automatically moves an incoming message to another folder, the message no longer remains in the Inbox, so a Desktop Alert is not generated. Based on this behavior, I agree that this appears to be by design in Outlook.

User's image

Reference: Turn new message alert pop-up on or off in Outlook | Microsoft Support

If you would like to request this functionality, I recommend submitting your suggestion through the Feedback Portal and sharing the link here. This allows the Outlook product team to review your feedback directly. If other users are experiencing the same scenario or would also benefit from this feature, their votes can help increase its visibility and priority for future consideration.

I hope this helps.

Kiran Rayidi 5 Reputation points

2026-08-06T12:46:14.4166667+00:00

Hi, Hin Vo, Thank you for the reply, I submitted suggestion in Feedback portal and link is below.

https://feedbackportal.microsoft.com/feedback//idea/1daa6e84-9491-f111-9b47-7c1e52444ef6
Kiran Rayidi 5 Reputation points

2026-08-06T12:49:58.7166667+00:00

Hi Hin Vo, Thank you for the reply. I submitted a request in Feedback portal and below is the link.

Thanks for all the information and suggestions.

https://feedbackportal.microsoft.com/feedback//idea/1daa6e84-9491-f111-9b47-7c1e52444ef6
Hin Vo 0 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-08-06T13:03:14.02+00:00

Hi @Kiran Rayidi

It looks like there may be an issue with your URL, so it might not direct to your post correctly. I'll reshare your link below.

https://feedbackportal.microsoft.com/feedback/idea/1daa6e84-9491-f111-9b47-7c1e52444ef6

I have already upvoted your request. I hope the Microsoft Outlook engineering team reviews it and considers implementing this feature in the near future.

Wishing you a nice day.

Answer 3

This is a current limitation in new Outlook for Windows.

New Outlook does not currently provide a desktop alert for messages that are moved to another folder by a rule. Notifications continue to work for messages that remain in the Inbox, but not for messages automatically redirected to a subfolder such as w/o Requisition.

What can be done now:

Verify general notification settings in Windows and Outlook-related system controls:
- In Windows, go to Start > Settings > System > Notifications.
- Make sure Get notifications from apps and other senders is On.
- Make sure Do not disturb is Off.
- Make sure Outlook notifications are enabled in the sender list.
- In Start > Settings > System > Focus, stop any active focus session.
- If Teams is in use, make sure status is not Do not disturb.
If the issue only affects mail moved by rules, that behavior is expected in the current product.
If a rule was migrated from classic Outlook, and it is not behaving correctly in new Outlook, recreate it in Settings > Mail > Rules. Some classic Outlook client-side rules cannot be processed by new Outlook.
Submit feedback through the Outlook feedback channels if this needs product change priority. The feature has been identified in community responses as planned for rollout, but the supported fact here is that the current behavior does not show desktop alerts for mail moved by rules.

If the symptom is specifically that clicking an Outlook notification opens the message behind other apps, that is a separate Windows 11 24H2 issue and is listed as fixed in newer Windows builds.

References: