How to Access a POP Server

Email servers and the programs with which they communicate, such as email clients, use different protocols to communicate. Post Office Protocol is the protocol that the email client uses to retrieve messages from the server; thus, some people refer to the email server as the POP server. In order to access emails from the POP server, you must configure your email program with the appropriate settings to connect to the mail server.

Instructions

Mozilla Thunderbird

1. Open the File menu, select "New" and choose "Mail Account."

2. Type in your name, email address and password before clicking on "Continue."

3. Click to fill in the radio button next to "POP" after Thunderbird detects your email server settings.

4. Click on "Create Account."

Microsoft Outlook 2010

1. Click "Add Account" below the Account Information heading.

2. Click "Add Account."

3. Choose "Manually configure server settings or additional server types," and click "Next."

4. Type in your account, server and login information on the next screen. Select "POP" as the server type. Click on "Next."

5. Select "New Outlook Data File," if you do not have an existing data file to which you will be adding new email data.

6. Click on "Next" and then "Finish" to complete the POP-account addition.

Gmail by Google

1. Sign in to your Gmail account and click on "Settings" at the top of the page.

2. Click on "Accounts and Import."

3. Click on "Add POP3 email account," under the POP3 section.

4. Enter the email address you will be accessing via "POP" and click on "Next Step."

5. Type in your password after Gmail automatically detects your mail server settings and choose how you wish Gmail to deal with retrieved messages, secure connections, labeling and archiving.

6. Click on "Add Account."

Tips & Warnings

• Account wizards populate the account settings with the typical server settings. These may not match your email settings, if the server has a custom setup.

• You can look on the website for your mail provider or contact your mail provider for your POP server information.

References

• TechTerms: POP3 (Post Office Protocol)
• mozillaZine: Thunderbird 3.0 - New Features and Changes
• Windows Guides: Outlook 2010 -- Part 2: Setting up Accounts [How To]
• Gmail: Mail Fetcher