How to start Outlook in a minimized state

This article describes how to start Microsoft Office Outlook in a minimized state from the desktop and when you start Microsoft Windows.

To successfully configure Outlook to run in a minimized state, all of the following conditions must be true:

• Outlook is currently running.
• Outlook is not configured to open to an Outlook Today view by default.
• Outlook is not maximized.

NOTE: If Outlook is running in a maximized state, right-click the Outlook task on your Windows task bar, and then click Restore.

To create a customized Outlook shortcut, follow these steps:

1. Quit Outlook.
2. Right-click the Outlook icon on the desktop, and then click Create Shortcut.
3. Right-click the shortcut, and then click Properties.
4. On the Shortcut tab, click Minimized in the Run list, click Apply, and then click OK.

To start Outlook in a minimized state when Windows starts, copy the shortcut to the Startup folder and leave a copy on the desktop.

To do this, follow these steps:

1. Right-click the shortcut created in the previous steps, and then click Copy.
2. Right-click Start, and then click Explore, to open Windows Explorer at the Start Menu folder.
3. Click the plus sign next to the Programs folder, and then click the Startup folder.
4. Right-click in the right pane in Windows Explorer, and then click Paste Shortcut.

When you restart Windows, Outlook runs in a minimized state.

NOTE: Some Outlook configurations may interrupt running in the minimized state. Outlook may prompt you for a password or for a profile. Once you respond, Outlook is minimized. Reminders for tasks and appointments and the Outlook product banner appear normally.