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Computing Help & Information Place (CHIP)

Configuring Outlook Express

Begin by opening the Outlook Express program. If you see it on your desktop, double-click the icon; otherwise access it from the start menu.

Start > Programs > Internet Tools > Mail > Outlook Express

If your Start Menu does not contain Outlook Express, open Windows Explorer and look for it on the C: Drive. This is normally the default drive location for all program installations. Go to the Outlook Express folder and double click on the msimn.exe file. This will open the Outlook Express program window.

  1. This will start the Internet Connection Wizard. If you are creating a new internet account, proceed to step 3; if you are switching e-mail software then complete step 2.
  2. If you have been using another e-mail program , then you can import these settings into an Outlook Express account. Select Use an existing Internet mail account and click Next. A Confirm Settings dialog box is displayed; you can either accept the settings listed or change them by selecting Change Settings. Click Next.
  3. The Display Name dialog box appears; enter your complete name: Firstname Surname. This name will be displayed in all of your email headers. Click Next.
  4. Next, an Internet E-mail Address dialog box asks for your userid@yourserver.uwaterloo.ca. Where yourserver would be replaced with your mail server; for example: Administration=admmail, Retirees=retirees, Arts=watarts, AHS=ahsmail, Engineering=engmail, FES=fes, Science=sciborg…etc…. Click Next.
  5. E-mail Server Names dialog box.

    (i)***Please Note*** On the first line of the dialog box you are asked: My incoming mail server is a POP3 or IMAP or HTTP server. If you intend to process your e-mail from both work and home and/or want to store your email files on a network drive then change the default to IMAP. IMAP is recommended if you intend to use Outlook Express for work purposes. If you are setting up your e-mail for personal home use then you would select POP3 server configuration where your messages, files and attachments would be stored on your local drive (eg. C Drive, your computer). The Outlook Express limitation for storing your files and an address book on a network using POP3 is explained in detail by Tom Koch, Microsoft MVP, in his web site called Inside Outlook Express (http://insideoe.tomsterdam.com/).

    (ii) On the next two lines; for incoming and outgoing mail enter your entire e-mail address found after the “@” sign. For instance, if your complete email address is userid@yourserver.uwaterloo.ca, you would type yourserver.uwaterloo.ca on both incoming and outgoing mail server lines. Remember to change yourserver to your mail server.
  6. Internet Mail Logon dialog box. If you are the only person using this account you may enter your password if you wish. However, if you are not the only person with access, it is suggested that you use the Secure Password Authentication in order to be prompted each time that you check your email. Click Next.
  7. Congratulations dialog box. Click Finish to proceed with the setup.
  8. You may be prompt to import your previous Messages and Address Book if you had or are still using another e-mail program.

    (i) If you select Do not import at this time, then click Next; an Import Not Complete dialog box appears. It reminds you that you can import at a later time by choosing Import from the File menu. Click Finish.

    (ii) If you select Import from:, then click Next; this dialog box asks what you would like to import. Select Messages only, Address Book only or both Messages and Address Book; then click Next. This dialog box will confirm your selection and perform the import after you click Next.
  9. After you open Outlook Express go to the Tools menu, click on Accounts, select the Mail tab and then click on Properties. Your setup should resemble the following information under both the General and Servers tabs. If it does; click OK because you are now finished.