How do I set up Outlook 2024?
This guide walks you through the process of adding an IMAP email account in the current version of Microsoft Outlook, which is part of Microsoft 365 and Office 2024. IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) is a standard protocol that allows you to access your emails stored on a mail server.
Preparation
Before you begin, ensure you have the following information to hand. You can usually find this in your account or you may have received it by email. (Look for “IMAP settings”).
- Incoming mail server (IMAP): The name of the server for incoming emails; the default server is
mail.routing.net - Outgoing mail server (SMTP): The name of the server for outgoing emails; the default server is
mail.routing.net - Port numbers: The ports for the IMAP and SMTP servers (e.g., IMAP: 993, SMTP: 465 or 587). You do not normally need this information because Outlook automatically exchanges it with our email server.
- Encryption method: The type of encryption used for the connection (usually SSL/TLS or STARTTLS). You don’t normally need this information because Outlook automatically exchanges it with our email server.
- Username: Your full email address.
- Password: Your email password. You may have assigned a new password; you can also set a new password in your user interface.
The ports to be stored in your email program are determined by the selected type of use for your mailbox (IMAP or POP3) and the desired encryption:
| Protocol | Encyption | Port |
|---|---|---|
| IMAP | SSL/TLS (preferred) | 993 |
| IMAP | STARTTLS | 143 |
| IMAP | none (not preferred) | 143 |
| POP3 | SSL/TLS (preferred) | 995 |
| POP3 | STARTTLS | 110 |
| POP3 | none (not preferred) | 110 |
| SMTP | STARTTLS (preferred) | 587 |
| SMTP | SSL/TLS | 465 |
| SMTP | none (not preferred) | 25 |
Add IMAP account
Follow these steps to set up your IMAP account in Outlook:
Open Outlook and select “Add Account.”
- Start the Microsoft Outlook application on your computer.
- Click the File or Outlook tab in the upper left corner.
- Select Settings or, on Windows, “Information” and then the option + Add account.
Select manual setup
- A new window will open. Enter your email address.
- Click Advanced Options and check the box next to I want to set up my account manually.
- Click Next or Continue or Connect.
This usually completes the setup process. In a few exceptional cases, additional settings may be required.
Select account type “IMAP”
- The next window will display various account types.
- Select IMAP from the list.
Enter IMAP account settings
Now you need to enter the server information
- Incoming email:
- Server: Enter the name of the incoming mail server (IMAP).
- Port: Enter the port number for the IMAP server (often 993).
- Encryption method: Select the appropriate encryption (often SSL/TLS).
- Outgoing E-Mail:
- Server: Enter the name of the outgoing mail server (SMTP).
- Port: Enter the port number for the SMTP server (often 465 or 587).
- Encryption method: Select the appropriate encryption (often SSL/TLS or STARTTLS).
Click Next after you have entered all the information.
Enter your password and complete the setup
- Enter your email password and click Connect.
- Outlook will now connect to the server to verify the settings. If the connection is successful, your account will be added.
- You will receive confirmation that the account has been successfully added. Click on Process completed.
Your IMAP account is now set up in Outlook and your emails will be synchronized. You can find the new account in the folder bar on the left side of Outlook.