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Can I use Microsoft Outlook Express with AOL?

Dave, I use America Online (AOL) for reasons that are too tedious to explain, but I only just recently learned that instead of using their brain-dead mail program, I could be using Microsoft Outlook Express instead! How do I use MS Outlook Express to read AOL mail and send mail through my AOL account?

Dave's Answer:

According to the helpful online documentation at the AOL help site, you can access AOL mail through their Open Mail Access system. There's detailed information on how to work with Outlook 2000, Outlook Express, IncediMail, Microsoft Entourage, Outlook 2002, and even Eudora.

In terms of Microsoft Outlook Express, here's what I found out. This document is entitled How do I use Microsoft Outlook Express 6 to read and send AOL e-mail:

There are two steps to setting up Outlook® Express to read and send AOL e-mail. First, you need to create a new e-mail account in Outlook Express. Once the e-mail account is created, you need to configure your Outlook Express e-mail account so you can send and receive your AOL e-mail.

To create a new e-mail account in Outlook Express

Sign on to AOL.
Open Outlook Express. (If Outlook Express is not your default mail client, you may be prompted to specify whether you want to use it as the default by clicking OK).
From the Outlook Express Tools menu, click Accounts.
In the Internet Accounts dialog box, click Add and then click Mail.
In the Internet Connection Wizard, in the Display name field, enter your name as you would like it to appear on your outgoing e-mail messages.
Click Next.
In the E-mail address field, enter your full e-mail address, e.g., GabbyGrace@aol.com.
Click Next.
On the E-mail Server Names screen, select IMAP from the drop-down menu.
In the Incoming mail server field, enter: imap.aol.com.
In the Outgoing mail server field, enter: smtp.aol.com.
Click Next.
On the Internet Mail Logon screen, enter your AOL screen name in the Account name field.
Enter the password for your AOL account in the Password field.
If you want Outlook Express to save your password, leave the Remember password check box selected.
Click Next.
Click Finish.

To configure your Outlook Express e-mail account

When you are returned to the Internet Accounts dialog box, click the Mail tab. (If the Internet Accounts dialog box is not open, click the Tools menu and then click Accounts).
Select your AOL IMAP account.
Click Properties.
In the Properties dialog box, click the Servers tab.
In the Outgoing Mail Server section, click the My server requires authentication check box.
Click Apply.
Click the Advanced tab.
In the Outgoing mail (SMTP): field, change the number that displays to 587.
Click Apply.
Click the IMAP tab.
In the Special Folders section, click the Store special folders on IMAP server check box to deselect it.
Click Apply.
Click OK.
Click Close.

Notes

If you receive a message prompting you to download folders from the mail server, click Yes.

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Comments

Wow. At last. Fredom to use my URL rather than the embarisment of ***@aol.com. Cheers Dave.

Posted by: Dr Simones-Jones at August 13, 2005 6:29 PM

I have install outlook 2002 XP pro and I get a "could not open item. try again." when i try to open the features like contacts, new mail, calender, etc. where did i go wrong?

Posted by: Jason Samford at September 1, 2005 5:58 AM

So, Dave, lets say that I want to use my school e-mail through Outlook... but I have AOL at home. I need to use Northwestern's incoming IMAP, but AOL's outgoing SMTP? When I plug in all of the outgoing AOL info, I get nothing! Thoughts?

Posted by: Kevin at June 1, 2006 1:40 PM

This is the same exact thing on the AOL site and neither of the two have helped me at all. The AOL server rejects my account and or username every time.

Posted by: Kevin at July 22, 2006 1:01 PM

I also have installed outlook 2002 XP pro and I get a "could not open item. try again." when i try to open the features like contacts, new mail, calender, etc. how can i fix it?

Posted by: Lee at August 17, 2006 2:23 AM

dude i love this site it was soooooooooo helpfull! i love it it told me how to use outlook express with my aol account it was so thurl with the instructions it diddent miss a step it was asowm... i cant spell dont mind the spelling mistakeslol thank u keep up the good work ps i added ur site to my favrats list

Posted by: nick at September 23, 2006 3:37 PM

Dave following is the error I get everytime I try to send email through outlook express from my aol address - any thoughts? The connection to the server has failed. Account: 'imap.aol.com', Server: 'imap.aol.com', Protocol: SMTP, Port: 587, Secure(SSL): No, Socket Error: 10060, Error Number: 0x800CCC0E

Posted by: Nannie at October 26, 2006 10:35 AM

Like so many others, I have a continuing problem using Outlook 2002 (and previous versions) for sending e-mails, whilst using my AOL account as 'the gateway'. I have done the 'fix' that both AOL and your good self have offered, and yes it works a dream if I want to do things that way round, but that's not it! It's almost as if AOL will not allow 'third party' mail (i.e. a different e-mail address) to be sent on their service. HELP!!!!!!

Posted by: Steve R Hill at November 21, 2006 5:26 AM

NOW I KNOW: It's all AOL's fault! It revolves around the Outgoing Server number, which needs to be changed from the default of 25 to AOL's number of 587. It's as simple as that, and it really, really works! In OUTLOOK 2000, Tools> Account> highlight the account you want to send from then press 'properties'. Advanced tab> Server port numbers, Outgoing SMTP change to 587 from 25 (or whatever). APPLY> OK> Close. Job done.
In OUTLOOK 2002: Tools> e-mail accounts> view or change> highlight account needed then hit 'change'. More settings> advanced tab> Outgoing Server (SMTP) change to 587. OK> Next> Finish> Job done. Good luck to you all, it is such a relief!

Posted by: Steve R Hill at November 22, 2006 5:13 AM

great column - have come by from time to time but only just got round to send thanks for help. Aol via outlook problems look solved - thanks.

Posted by: jim watson at January 16, 2007 6:19 AM

I keep getting the message: "The server rejected your login. Please verify that your user name and password are correct."

and the more details are:

Configuration:
Account: imap.aol.com xxxxxxx@aol.com
Server: imap.aim.com
User name: xxxxxxx@aol.com
Protocol: IMAP
Port: 143
Secure(SSL): 0
Code: 800ccc03

please help.

Posted by: David McWilliams at May 28, 2007 1:01 AM

i have no problem sending.....but retreiving my mail isn't working....... i get this error when i try to check the folders...

Configuration:
Account: ******@aol.com
Server: imap.aol.com
User name: ******@aol.com
Protocol: IMAP
Port: 587
Secure(SSL): 1
Code: 800ccc0e

is 587 the correct port number for incoming mail?

Posted by: kake24 at June 4, 2007 12:37 PM

The connection to the server has failed. Account: 'imap.aol.com', Server: '587', Protocol: SMTP, Port: 25, Secure(SSL): Yes, Socket Error: 10060, Error Number: 0x800CCC0E

Posted by: matt f at June 8, 2007 5:43 PM

Hi, i have managed to accesss my aol email account via outlook express but am unable to retrieve my address book, any help with this would be much appreciated. Pat

Posted by: Pat at July 12, 2007 3:21 AM

Now AOl has presented another problem. how do we get the security authoriation.

I have already gone through the security authoriation already with AOL.

Error Message Outlook gave me:

The message could not be sent because the server rejected the sender's e-mail address. The sender's e-mail address was '**************@aol.com'. Subject 'test again', Account: 'imap.aol.com', Server: 'smtp.aol.com', Protocol: SMTP, Server Response: '556 CLIENT AUTHENTICATION REQUIRED. USE ESMTP EHLO AND AUTH.', Port: 587, Secure(SSL): No, Server Error: 556, Error Number: 0x800CCC78

Posted by: Cayla F. at August 24, 2007 5:01 PM

hullo Dave i have a problem connecting to outlook.I can not read or send mails in outlook.When ever I send a mail, it often refere me to the system administrator.Iave tried to remove mails that ihave read and send it to my sent items but this problem still persist .Is there any way you can help me out?

Posted by: Tambe Joe at September 3, 2007 9:36 AM

My Outlook does not have the IMAP tab! I hve

Posted by: Justin N at September 20, 2007 8:23 AM

I use Outlook Express 6 for email. How do I turn of the "check names" icon (and procedure) from the send format. I want to send email to addresses that are not listed in my address book. The damn thing keeps asking if I want to enter the address (s) in my book, I say no and it repeats itself. Any help here greatly appreciated. My own tech support said " Golly, we can't help you, we don't know how to disable that feature, yada yada.

Posted by: Bruce Fair at November 28, 2007 9:04 AM

I am getting the the same error message as the person that wrote in previously. This only started occuring within the last day. Before it worked fine. What do I do? It is configured as you provided instructions.

The connection to the server has failed. Account: 'imap.aol.com', Server: 'smtp.aol.com', Protocol: SMTP, Port: 25, Secure(SSL): No, Socket Error: 10060, Error Number: 0x800CCC0E

Posted by: Tom Hicks at December 27, 2007 8:59 AM

If I add AOL to Outlook, does than mean my AOL mail will go to outlook, or can I use both at the same time?

Posted by: Mark at January 18, 2008 6:06 PM

How does one set up outlook 2007 to receive and send AOL email. This is Office Pro - Outlook 2007. I think this is different than outlook express.

Posted by: Steve at February 3, 2008 3:29 PM

thank you you rockmy sox off

Posted by: fred at February 13, 2008 3:02 PM

Thank you!! this info helped me decipher the world of outlook express.. now I don't have to sign in to my other account near as often.. Thanks Again!!

Posted by: josh at June 10, 2008 3:34 PM

When I try to send email outlook express shows but I want to send email from internet explorer or my aol account. how can i do this. thanks a million. beth

Posted by: beth at July 3, 2008 10:33 AM

thank you so much DAVE this helped...i couldnt figure out how to do it at first but thanks to u i have it fugured out! thanks again!

Posted by: Katie at July 12, 2008 11:02 AM

I followed your instructions and I received a message that says "The specified IMAP server does not appear to be a valid server name. I went ahead with it any way and finished the set up. It did not work and said that the imap was wrong.
Please help.

Posted by: brad at September 18, 2008 8:01 PM

using aol and outlook express, thru the address book I can send myself an email, and receive it, but if I send one to myself and someone else, it says message sent, but I don't receive the message and the other people don't receive it either.?

Posted by: Monte at February 28, 2009 12:11 PM

OH MY GOD! Thank you so much!!!

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I do have a comment, now that you mention it!