How to Set Up Outlook Express With an Email Account

Microsoft's Outlook Express is an email software program, usually included as part of its Windows operating system. While lacking the features of its commercial cousin, Microsoft Outlook, it still has the features and functions that most users require. It can be used to connect to corporate email servers (though not Microsoft Exchange Server), email provided by cable and DSL providers, and even Web-based mail, including Hotmail, Gmail and Yahoo! Mail.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Email account

1. Establish an email account, if you don't have one already. Chances are that you'll be using an email account from your ISP (Internet service provider) or through your own web-based mail account.

2. Launch Outlook Express, select "Accounts" under the "Tools" menu. Choose "Mail" under the "Add" tab on the right.

3. 
    
   Configuring the servers, both incoming and outgoing

   Enter the following settings:
   Under the "General" tab:
   Your Name: This is the name that appears in the recipient's in-box when they receive your email.
   E-Mail Address: This is your full email address.
   User Name: This the name that logs you on to the email server. In most instances, it's your full email address, but sometimes it's the first part of the address, omitting the @, the domain and the suffix.
   Under the Servers tab:
   Password: Enter your password, remembering it's case sensitive.
   Incoming mail server (POP3): This is the name of the server that you receive mail from.
   Outgoing mail server (SMTP): This is the name of the server that allows you to send email.

4. 
    
   The advanced tab in Outlook Express

   Check if there are any additional settings you need to configure. Depending on your ISP, there may be additional settings, including advanced security settings or overriding the default port. You can configure these settings by clicking on the "Advanced" tab, and the settings of each mail server (POP and SMTP) require their own set of tweaks.

5. Complete the process by clicking "Apply" in the lower right corner, and then test your email, by sending and receiving email from your newly created email client. If you're unable to send mail, then it's the SMTP server settings that need to be looked at, and if you get a message that you're unable to receive mail, it's the POP server settings that need to be revised. If you need to go back to tweak any settings, then repeat Steps 1 and 2.

Tips & Warnings

• Confirm that you're connected to the Internet, or else you won't be able to send or receive mail. Configuring web-based mail to work with Outlook Express requires the settings of your mail account to be configured to use Outlook Express to send and receive mail.
• Choose a secure password, and be careful when connecting to public WiFi networks.

Resources

• Microsoft