How to Link Gmail to Outlook Express

Caution is needed when configuring Outlook Express.

Webmail providers, such as Yahoo!, Hotmail and Gmail, store your emails on servers so you can access them anywhere you have an Internet connection. However, sometimes it's more convenient to use a program rather than a Web browser to view and send email. One option for this is Outlook Express, a program on your computer that can sync up with your Gmail account automatically. Setting up Outlook Express requires careful configuration, but with the right settings you can get access to your Gmail account using the convenience of the Outlook Express interface.

Instructions

Enable POP in Gmail

1. Log into your Gmail account.

2. Click on the gear-shaped icon in the top-right of the window and select "Mail Settings."

3. Select the "Forwarding and POP/IMAP" option.

4. Select the option labeled "Enable IMAP" in the "IMAP Access" section.

5. Click the "Save Changes" button.

Basic Configuration

1. Open Outlook Express.

2. Click the "Tools" menu , then select "Accounts" to open the "Internet Accounts" window.

3. Click the "Add" button near the top-right of the window, then select the "Mail" option from the pop-up menu.

4. Type in your preferred display name and click "Next." You can type in your first and last name or anything else; this is the name others will see when you send an email.

5. Type in your Gmail address, then click "Next."

6. Select "IMAP" from the drop-down menu by "My incoming mail server is," if it's not already selected.

7. Type "imap.gmail.com" into the "Incoming Mail (POP3, IMAP or HTTP) server" text field, then type "smtp.gmail.com" into the "Outgoing mail (SMTP) server" text field. Click "Next."

8. Type in your email address into the "Account name" field, then type in your password into the "Password" field. Check or uncheck the box by "Remember password" if you want Outlook Express to use your password automatically to access your mail, or if you want Outlook Express to prompt you for the password in the future. Click "Next."

9. Click "Finish" to return to the "Internet Accounts" window.

Advanced Configuration

1. Click the "Mail" tab in the "Internet Accounts" window, then click on the account you just created, which should be labeled "imap.gmail.com."

2. Click "Properties" to access the information about the account you just created.

3. Click the "Advanced" tab.

4. Check the box by "This server requires a secure connection (SSL)" under "Outgoing mail (SMTP)," then type in "465" in the box next to "Outgoing Mail (SMTP)."

5. Check the box by "This server requires a secure connection (SSL)" under "Incoming mail (POP3)"; the number beside "Incoming mail" will automatically change to 993.

6. Click the "Servers" tab, then check the box by "My server requires authentication."

7. Click "OK," then click "Close" in the "Internet Accounts" window. You can now click the "Send/Recv" button at the top of Outlook Express to begin your first sync with your Gmail account.

Tips & Warnings

• You can write emails when you're offline with Outlook Express. When you click the "Send" button, the email will go into your "Outbox," and the next time you sync with Gmail, Outlook Express will send your email automatically.

References

• Gmail Help: Outlook Express
• Gmail Help: Enabling IMAP