How to Set Up Outlook Express Email

Basic Outlook Express setup involves configuring email accounts. You cannot use Outlook Express until you have configured at least one email account.

When you open Outlook express for the first time a wizard guides you through the account setup process. However new email accounts can be setup at any time.

Outlook express allows you to setup multiple email accounts. Each email account will correspond to a mailbox on a email server. Before proceeding with the setup you need to obtain your account details from your email provider.

Typical details that are needed for setup are:

  • SMTP server- This sever is used to send email.

  • POP3 server-This server is used to receive email.

  • account name - This is your login name to receive email.

  • account password -This is your login password to receive email.

To setup an email account proceed as follows:

1. Select Tools>Accounts>Mail and click Add and select mail

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2. The Internet connection wizard page will appear. Enter your display name in the box. The display name can be anything you want and will appear in the from filed on your outgoing messages. It is normally your name. In the example below I'm using the display name steve.

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3. Click next. A page will appear prompting for your email address. This is the reply address for all emails that you send. You should enter the email address given to you by your email provider.

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4. Click next. A page will appear prompting for your email server names. The first box is a drop down box where you select the connection protocol this is normally POP3 but can also be IMAP4 or http ( if connecting to hotmail).

Enter the server names given by you email provider. In the example screenshot below both SMTP and POP3 sever names are the same this isn't always the case.

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5. Click next. A page will appear prompting for your account names and password. Enter the details as provided by your email provider and ensure the remember password box is ticked or you will have to type it manually each time you try to receive emails.

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6. Click next and then finish to finish the email account setup.

The new account is created and appears in the list along with any other pre-configured accounts. The account can be edited by highlighting it and then clicking the properties button on the right.

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Most of the emails I get regarding Outlook Express problems are setup related so take care with the setup and if you do experience problems double check your account settings.

 

 

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