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How do I access Gmail via POP from Outlook Express?

Problem: Setting up my Gmail to download to my computer (using either of Incredimail, Outlook, Outlook Express). I have followed Google's directions very explicitly (+/- 10 attempts) and still cannot successfully download my mail. I keep getting the message that the Gmail server is not responding. I cannot find a way to communicate with Google for assistance. Any assistance you can render will be sincerely appreciated.


Dave's Answer:

There are a lot of things I like about Gmail, one of which is that it's very accessible from different systems, whether you prefer to subscribe to your Gmail inbox through your favorite RSS reader or whether you want to just integrate your Gmail messages into your regular mailbox by accessing it using the POP (post office protocol) system. Having it available doesn't mean it's easy to use, however, so let's step through configuring POP access for Gmail.

The first step is to log in to your Gmail account and click on Settings, then Forwarding and POP. You'll see this:

Accessing Gmail via POP

Your first decision will be whether you want to access all of your old mail (which might be quite a few hundred - or thousand - messages) or whether you want to just see messages arriving from now on in your existing email program. I'll opt for the latter since I don't want to be overwhelmed.

You can also specify what happens in Gmail once a message is accessed via POP. You can have messages moved to the trash, archived, or kept in your Inbox as if they'd never been touched. I automatically archive messages so I have a backup copy. Easily done!

Before you click on the Configuration Instructions link, make sure you've saved your changes: I imagine it's a common mistake to get sidetracked at this point in the configuration process.

Gmail has POP configuration instructions for a wide variety of different email programs, including:

  • Outlook Express and Outlook 2002 (and older) (Windows)
  • Outlook Express and Outlook 2002 (and older) (Mac)
  • Outlook 2003 Entourage 2004
  • Entourage X
  • Eudora 5.1 (and higher) (Sponsored & Paid Mode)
  • Eudora 5.1 (and higher) (Light Mode)
  • Netscape Mail 7.x
  • Netscape Mail 6.2
  • Netscape Mail 4.5, 4.6, or 4.7
  • Apple Mail
  • Mozilla 1.7
  • Thunderbird 0.x
  • BlackBerry Internet Service

Choose Outlook Express for Windows and you'll see extensive and well-documented instructions that you should follow.

I've tested this myself and had it work fine. The two critical things to notice is that you must specify connecting via SSL and that you also must override the default SMTP port for outbound email and change it from port 25 to port 587, as detailed in the configuration information.

That should get you going. If you're still having problems, I'll encourage you to print out the Gmail instructions, then check off on the paper each and every line as you confirm you've set it as specified.

Good luck!


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Reader Comments To Date: 4

Tracey Montgomery said, on January 13, 2009 4:27 AM:

Dave,
I have wireless verision connection to the internet and have just changed to gmail. In outlook express I am not able to send messages. I have gone into accounts as you suggested but the system is still not working. I have also changed the connection to the wireless access.

HELP!!

sudhir said, on June 7, 2009 11:27 AM:

please connect my computer outlook to my gmail E- mails downlods in my outlook

Marie said, on June 20, 2009 2:27 PM:

I want to access my gmail through Outlook Express email. I always get the same message. Sign in, go to Setting etc. I do not get this SETTINGS on my page. Where is it? I can't change anything until I can find where that is. I understand the process but can't find the starting point. Help please.

Kundan Bhardwaj said, on May 31, 2012 11:47 PM:

Was going through tuts on setting up gmail on outlook and found your website. Thanks for sharing the information mate.

Starbucks coffee cup I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you, Dave, for all your helpful information by buying you a cup of coffee!

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











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