Do your emails contain tasks you need to keep track of and accomplish? Outlook can help you instantly create appointments and tasks from these emails. Here's how:

1. In your Inbox, left click on an email that contains a task and drag it to the Tasks or Calendar tab on the left hand panel of Outlook.
2. A new task or appointment is automatically created in the body of the selected email. You can edit the task details by filling out due dates, priorities, etc.
3. Click Save and Close in the upper left corner of the email.

What is the best way to find a very specific email you are searching for without having to go through Outlook visually scanning emails?

Click on Tools > Find

Choose Advanced Find¦ (ctrl+shift+F)

You can now use the pop up box to find specific words in the subject line or body of the email, from/sent-to lines, and other advanced searching features. You can also use the advanced searching features on meetings, files, contacts, tasks, or notes.

If you're like most people you have Outlook open literally all day (and night). There is no need to have Outlook take up space in your task bar when you aren't using it “ have it minimize to your system tray.

Click on the Outlook icon in the system tray (look in the bottom right part of your screen) with the right mouse button.

Select Hide When Minimized from the menu.

Now, when you minimize Outlook is will disappear from the task bar. To open Outlook again, double-click on the Outlook icon in the system tray.