How To Set Up An IMAP E-Mail Account

Whilst many people still use POP3 (Post Office Protocol) as their standard protocol for receiving e-mail, there are many people who may benefit from a switch to IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) protocol.

Before we go into further detail regarding how to set-up and IMAP e-mail account, we will first offer a brief explanation regarding the difference between the two.

What is the Difference Between POP & IMAP?

POP3 works by downloading emails from a server to a single computer, then deleting them from the server. Because any downloaded messages are sent to a single computer or device and then deleted from the server, it can appear that mail is missing or disappearing from your Inbox if you try to check your mail from a different computer. For the vast majority of people, this offers the ideal protocol.

IMAP however is ideal if you regularly need to check your emails from multiple devices, such as a work laptop, a home computer, or a tablet, smart phone, or other mobile device. Tap into your synced (updated) account from any device with IMAP because your e-mails are stored on the server and any sent mail also stays on the server so you can see it from any device.

How To Set Up An IMAP Account

Although there are a number of different e-mail clients, we believe that the different versions of Outlook are by far the most common and popular. As such we have drawn up a quick guide to setting up and IMAP account with Outlook 2003 (and older), 2007 & 2010.

Please Note – If you would like to see how to set up a POP3 account, please click here.

Method 1: Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 and earlier versions of Outlook

1. Start Outlook.
2. On the Tools menu, click E-mail Accounts.
3. Under E-mail Accounts, click Add a new e-mail account, and then click Next.
4. Click IMAP as the type of account that you are creating, and then click Next.
5. In the Your Name box, enter your name exactly as you would like it to appear to recipients.
6. In the E-mail Address box, type your e-mail address.
7. In the User Name box, type your account name.
8. In the Password box, type your password.
9. In the Incoming mail server (IMAP) box, type the name of your IMAP4 server.
10. In the Outgoing mail server (SMTP) box, type the name of your SMTP server.NOTE: IMAP4 is a retrieval protocol. You need SMTP to send your messages.
11. Click Next after you have completed entering this configuration information, and then click Finish.

Method 2: Microsoft Office Outlook 2007

1. Start Outlook.
2. On the Tools menu, click Account Settings.
3. Click New.
4. Click Microsoft Exchange, POP3, IMAP, or HTTP, and then click Next.
5. In the Auto Account Setup dialog box, click to select the Manually configure server settings or additional server types check box, and then click Next.
6. Click Internet E-Mail, and then click Next.
7. In the Server Information section, select IMAP for Account Type.
8. In the Your Name box, enter your name exactly as you want it to appear to recipients.
9. In the E-mail Address box, type your e-mail address.
10. In the User Name box, type your account name.
11. In the Password box, type your password.
12. In the Incoming mail server box, type the name of your IMAP4 server.
13. In the Outgoing mail server (SMTP) box, type the name of your SMTP server.
    Note IMAP4 is a retrieval protocol. You must have SMTP to send your messages.
14. Click Next after you have completed entering this configuration information, and then click Finish.

Method 3: Microsoft Office Outlook 2010

1. Start Outlook.
2. On the File menu, click Info and click Account Settings.
3. Select Account Settings from the list.
4. On the E-mail tab, click New and Select Email Account, and then click Next
5. Click to select the Manually configure server settings or additional server types check box, and then click Next.
6. Click Internet E-Mail, and then click Next.
7. In the Server Information section, select IMAP for Account Type.
8. In the Your Name box, enter your name exactly as you want it to appear to recipients.
9. In the E-mail Address box, type your e-mail address.
10. In the User Name box, type your account name.
11. In the Password box, type your password.
12. In the Incoming mail server box, type the name of your IMAP4 server.
13. In the Outgoing mail server (SMTP) box, type the name of your SMTP server.
    Note IMAP4 is a retrieval protocol. You must have SMTP to send your messages.
14. Click Next after you have completed entering this configuration information, and then click Finish.

Further Information

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