Microsoft Outlook working in the background in the system tray only

This article applies to: Microsoft Outlook 2000/2003/2007/2010

When you use Microsoft Outlook and minimize it, then it stays on the Windows taskbar, as well as it resides in the system tray - next to the Windows clock (Fig. 1).

         
Fig. 1 Outlook resides in both windows taskbar and windows system tray

There is, however, a simple way to make it stay only in the system tray and not block additional space in the taskbar. Here is how:

1. Turn on your Microsoft Outlook
2. When your Microsoft Outlook is working, click Minimize in the top right corner of the program. Microsoft Outlook will minimize to the taskbar and system tray.
3. Next to your Windows clock click on the icon of Microsoft Outlook with your right mouse button, and choose the option Hide when Minimized (Fig. 2). Now your Microsoft Outlook will disappear from the taskbar and only remain in the system tray.

 
Fig. 2 Microsoft Outlook in the system tray. 

    4.   If you want to restore it, just double click on the icon of Microsoft Outlook in the system tray and it will pop up. 
    5.   If you want to minimize it again, just click Minimize when your Outlook is working and it will now only show in the system tray. 
    6.   To turn off this option (when your Outlook is minimized in the system tray), click with your right mouse button on the Outlook icon and
          uncheck the option Hide when Minimized. Everything is back to normal: your Outlook is again present on both system tray and taskbar.

Note! When Outlook is only in the Windows system tray it means it is running in the background. You mailbox is active, and receives your messages. Yet, be careful, when installing add-ins or plug-ins into your Outlook. Installation requires Outlook to be off, so just click File and then Exit in your Outlook.