How to make outlook notifications always stay on top

Harris, Matthew C 20 Reputation points
2026-08-27T11:00:25.4466667+00:00

Is it possible to make outlook notifications always stay on top until the dialog box is dismissed?

Outlook | Windows | New Outlook for Windows | For business
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Michelle Nguyen 1,340 Reputation points Independent Advisor
2026-08-27T11:14:09.8633333+00:00

Hi @Harris, Matthew C

Yes, but it depends on the notification type and Outlook version.

New Outlook for Windows: calendar and task reminders

You can show reminders in a separate window above other programs:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Select General > Notifications.
  3. Under Notify me about, expand Calendar.
  4. Turn notifications on and set Notification style to Reminder.
  5. Turn off Automatically dismiss reminders for past events if you do not want expired reminders cleared automatically.

The reminder window supports Snooze and Dismiss. Microsoft documents it as opening on top of other programs, but does not document a setting that guarantees the window will remain permanently “always on top” until dismissed.

Ref: Add or delete notifications or reminders in Outlook

New-message desktop alerts are temporary and disappear automatically. There is no documented Outlook setting that keeps every email notification permanently on screen until manually dismissed.

Ref: Turn new message alert pop-up on or off in Outlook

So, please use the Reminder notification style for calendar and task alerts. For ordinary new-email banners, persistent always-on-top behavior is not natively supported. Additionally, you can submit this suggestion through the Feedback Portal, where the product development team can review and consider feedback from users.

Thank you for understanding.

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  1. AI answer

    2026-08-27T11:00:38.9533333+00:00

    In new Outlook for Windows, notifications can be shown in a separate reminder window that opens on top of other programs, but there is no supported setting to keep that dialog always on top until it is manually dismissed.

    What is supported:

    1. Go to Settings > General > Notifications.
    2. Under Notify me about, expand Calendar.
    3. Turn notifications On.
    4. Choose the Reminder notification style if a popup reminder is needed.
    5. If the issue is that reminders disappear after the event time passes, turn Automatically dismiss reminders for past events Off.

    Important limitation:

    • The setting above affects dismissal of past events.
    • The available documentation does not provide an option to force reminder dialogs to remain permanently on top until dismissed.

    If the goal is to keep a window above other apps, PowerToys Always On Top can pin a window above non-topmost windows, but it cannot guarantee staying above other topmost windows.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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