If you use a computer, there’s a fair chance that you have several email ids for Yahoo, Google, Hotmail and Outlook. With time, several of your email ids tend to get ignored and it is always best to configure the one you frequently use with outlook inbox. Although you can configure any email address to work with Microsoft Outlook, it is best to use Gmail due to several reasons. Gmail’s storage is far larger than most email service provider and a far better protection against spam. And since Gmail hosts its very own cloud server, configuring it with MS Outlook can be really beneficial for users.
Configuring Gmail to Work with Outlook
Start with configuring your Gmail account to work with Outlook service before you launch Outlook Wizard on your computer.
- Login to your Gmail account and go to settings by clicking the gear icon at the top right corner.
- In the settings panel, navigate to Forward and POP/IMAP tab.
- From here, enable IMAP and click on ‘Save Changes’.
Once you’ve configured your Gmail settings, you can now launch MS Outlook to continue with inbox setup.
Follow these steps to configure your Gmail account with Microsoft Outlook Inbox:
- Once outlook opens, go to file>settings.
- Go to Account Settings and click on ‘New’ and select email account.
- Confirm the action by clicking next and choose Manual Setup.
- Select Pop and IMAP and click on next.
- This will bring up the Add Account page where you must enter some info in the fields listed below.
Your Name – Your Name
Email address – your Gmail id ([email protected])
Account Type – Select IMAP from drop down.
User Name – any user name you prefer (e.g. John Conner)
Password – your Gmail account password. - Once these details have been entered in the required fields, click on more settings at the bottom right.
- Navigate to Outgoing Server tab and checkmark, ‘My outgoing server(SMTP) requires authentication.
- Choose ‘Use Same Settings as My Incoming Mail Server’ and navigate to the ‘Advanced’ tab.
- Here you must enter specific values in the fields mentioned below. Incoming Server(IMAP) – 993
Use the following type of encrypted connection – SSL
Outgoing Server – 465
Use the following type of encrypted connection – SSL - After you’ve entered these details, click ok to exit.
- Click next to start network and connection tests by Outlook.
- Once the tests are complete click close.
Here you have it folks! Your MS Outlook inbox is now configured with your Gmail account and you can directly check your mail by firing up Outlook on your computer. This not only eliminates the need for a browser to open your email inbox but is far more secure than any browser due to SSL encryption. While a lot of professionals prefer Outlook for their day to day email needs, setting up your Gmail account will add some major enhancements to it. Similarly, you can also add your other email addresses to work with MS Outlook for a convenient and secure email solution.