By Pranay Parab
Publication Date: 2026-05-12 14:30:00
Outlook is among the best Gmail alternatives for most people. Microsoft’s email service is free and has a bunch of features that Gmail does not. At the same time, there are some shared features you’ll likely want to use if you’re coming from Gmail—they’re just not enabled by default. I’ve been using Outlook’s email service for over a decade, and these are the best hacks I’ve discovered while sorting through my inbox.
Disable image downloads to prevent email tracking by shady companies
Companies and organizations often use pixel tracking to see if you’ve opened their emails. Every one of these emails includes a hidden tracking pixel, which sends read receipts to the sender when opened. Outlook’s default settings protect you from the worst of it, but you should take a few additional steps to safeguard your account. Go to Outlook.com and log in to your account. Click the gear icon in the top-right corner to open settings. Now, go to Mail > Junk email. Under “Security…
