this invention provides an enhancement to messaging systems by providing a message notification feature which allows a user to manage only new messages for which a notification has not yet been cleared without having to access or download the entire set of messages . this management may be performed in single window that operates in conjunction with an application associated with the messaging system . the notification management permits manipulation of the message notifications without influencing the status of the messages themselves , while providing access to the data contained in these messages . this addresses the needs of those users who frequently check their incoming communications queues and need to determine very quickly which items need urgent attention and which ones can be deferred . the present invention further provides specific functionalities for handling a particular message when it does need urgent attention .