When I receive a new e-mail message in Microsoft Outlook I get a small
envelope to let me know i've received a new message in my system tray.
 I don't want to.

I use Tools, Rules Wizard to automatically delete some internal work
e-mails I receive that aren't relevant to me.  But that does not get
rid of the new mail envelope appearing in the system tray.

Under Tools | Options | E-mail options i've already switched off
"Display a notification message when new mail arrives"

I've already had a search round on the net using terms like disable,
"system tray icon", outlook, etc...  I've also asked our company
helpdesk, and they couldn't tell me how to do it.

This seemingly simple problem turns out not be as simple as it seems,
but i'm sure someone out there will have cracked it.  I'd even be
willing to apply a software patch if thats what it takes.

I'm using Windows 2000 but the problem equally applies to Windows NT
4.0.

A solution would be
a) a way to get rid of the new mail envelope in the system tray for
all incoming mail
OR equally as good
b) a type of rule that deletes e-mails in a different way to just
moving them to the deleted items folder, so that the envelope doesn't
come up.

I am on an exchange server.

Hello Ponderer,
I will risk posting this as an answer since I think this is the
solution.
I think it is possible that the option you unchecked was not the right
one. I looked on the Internet and found this instruction:

'- Go to Tools | Options | E-Mail Options | Advanced E-Mail Options 
- Uncheck "Show an envelope icon in the system tray" '

from:
Fawcette.com - MEC 2002 - 3 Handy Outlook Tips
http://www.fawcette.com/reports/mec/2002/10_08_02/outlook/default.asp

Search term used:
outlook icon system tray disable

If this does not solve the problem, get in touch with me again through
the "Request for Clarification" feature here, and I will look for
another solution. Thank you.

---

Request for Answer Clarification by ponderer-ga on 21 May 2003 02:15 PDT

Dear Techtor,

A most reasonable response which given the price I am happy to accept.

Unfortunately for me, my version of outlook (Microsoft Outlook 2000
[Service Release 1]) has no such check box under Advanced E-mail
options.  Certaintly didn't exist in the version prior to this one
either I know.  I guess this must be a very recently added feature. 
At last!  unfortunately doesn't help me.

Thanks,
Ponderer

---

Clarification of Answer by techtor-ga on 21 May 2003 09:38 PDT

Greetings Ponderer,
I'm very sorry the first solution didn't work for your version... it's
unfortunate you have an older version of Outlook that doesn't have the
feature you need.

In that case, may I offer an alternative. I found a program called
Knockout that allows you to control some Outlook options, including
the taskbar and system tray options. I saw in my search that this
promised turning off the Outlook icons in the task bar for Outlook 97
or later:

KnockOut: Companion for Microsoft Outlook
http://www.sunflowerhead.com/software/knockout/

This was led to by finding:
Miscellaneous Outlook & Exchange Tools
http://www.slipstick.com/addins/misc.htm

Search string:
outlook 2000 icon system tray off

I hope this solution will work. If there's any other problem, feel
free to post a Request for Clarification again. Thanks.

Great thanks.

Many thanks for the five-star rating! I hope the solution I offered really worked.