How to access my email with Microsoft Outlook Express (XP)

This documentation was created based on Windows XP with Service Pack 2 and Outlook Express 6. Other versions can be configured similarly, if not identically using this documentation.

  1. Outlook Express Accounts SelectionFirst choose Accounts from the Tools menu as shown on the right.

  2. The window that appears should be like the one in the thumbnail to the right. Click on the thumbnail to see the full size screenshot. Note that you need to click on the "Add" button and choose "Mail" from the menu that pops up.

  3. You will then be asked to enter a "Display Name". Simply enter your name, and click next.
  4. Now enter your email address, e.g. you@example.com.
  5. Dialog for entering your server addressesAfter clicking Next, you will see the following screen where you need to enter your mail server addresses. Both can be configured with "mail.example.com" where "example.com" is your domain name. Be aware that your servers will not allow you to send mail unless you've checked your mail within the last 15 minutes. This is a feature we've implemented to prevent spammers from abusing our servers. Alternatively, you could choose to use your ISP's mail server for your outgoing server.
  6. Entering your user name and passwordNext you need to enter your username and password for checking your mail.
  7. Congratulations - you've finished setting up Outlook ExpressOutlook gleefully congratulates you on your successful configuration.
  8. Click to see the Mail Account WindowThe wizard then closes and you see the Accounts window once again.
  9. At this stage you can send and receive email, but there are some oher extra things that you might want to configure. If you highlight the mail account you've just created and click on Properties you will see the following window, and you can see that I've changed the description to something more meaningful.Mail Account PropertiesMail Account Properties
  10. If you click on the Advanced tab, you can configure Outlook Express so that it leaves the mail on the server after you've checked it. This can be useful if you want to access your mail when you don't have your computer, but have access to the Internet and can access your account using webmail.Mail Account Properties advanced tabMail Account Properties advanced tab

Comments, suggestions or reporting of errors are all welcome.