Adding a generic IMAP account in New Outlook for Windows trips up a lot of people because the app tries to push new addresses into a Microsoft sign-up flow instead of showing IMAP fields right away. The trick is knowing exactly where the advanced setup option is hiding.
Key Takeaways
- New Outlook hides IMAP behind an ‘Advanced setup’ or ‘Show more options’ link that only appears after the first sign-in attempt fails or is skipped.
- Have the incoming and outgoing server names, ports, and encryption type ready before starting.
- Many providers now require an app password instead of a regular account password.
- If the account already exists in the profile, remove it first before re-adding it as IMAP.
How to Add a Generic IMAP Account in New Outlook for Windows
This process takes about five minutes once the server details are on hand. Most people find that the second attempt goes faster than the first, simply because the layout of the advanced screen is now familiar.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Step 1: Open New Outlook for Windows and select the gear icon in the top right corner to open Settings.
- Step 2: Select Accounts, then choose Email accounts from the list.
- Step 3: Select Add Account and type the full email address for the generic IMAP account, then select Continue.
- Step 4: Outlook will attempt to detect the account type automatically. When it prompts for a password or tries to redirect to a provider sign-in page, look for a link labeled ‘Advanced setup’ or ‘Show more options’ and select it instead of continuing that flow.
- Step 5: From the account type list, choose IMAP.
- Step 6: Enter the incoming mail server (IMAP) name and port, along with the encryption method the provider specifies, usually SSL/TLS on port 993.
- Step 7: Enter the outgoing mail server (SMTP) name and port, typically 587 with STARTTLS or 465 with SSL, and confirm ‘My outgoing server requires authentication’ is checked if that option appears.
- Step 8: Select Next, then enter the account password or app password when prompted, and select Connect.
- Step 9: Once Outlook confirms the connection, select Done to finish adding the account.
Tip: If a password field appears but no ‘Advanced setup’ link is visible, try typing the email address again and pressing Continue a second time. This resets the detection flow and usually reveals the advanced option.
Gathering Server Settings Beforehand
Every generic IMAP provider publishes its own server names and ports, so check the provider’s help pages or ask the domain administrator for these four details: the IMAP server address, the IMAP port, the SMTP server address, and the SMTP port. Writing these down before opening New Outlook saves a lot of back-and-forth during setup.
Common Problems and Fixes
A few issues come up repeatedly when adding a generic IMAP account in New Outlook for Windows, and each one has a straightforward fix.
- New Outlook keeps trying to create a Microsoft account instead of showing IMAP fields: cancel that window, return to Add Account, and look for ‘Advanced setup’ before entering the password.
- The connection fails with an authentication error: confirm whether the provider requires an app password rather than the normal login password, and generate one if needed.
- The account was already added once and now blocks re-adding: remove the existing account from Settings > Accounts > Email accounts, then repeat the setup steps.
- Emails send but never arrive, or arrive but never send: double-check that the incoming and outgoing ports and encryption types match exactly what the provider lists, since a mismatched port is the most frequent cause.
- The Advanced setup link never appears: sign out of New Outlook, restart the app, and try adding the account again from a fresh session.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does New Outlook try to create a new email address instead of adding the IMAP account?
New Outlook defaults to a guided sign-up flow for unrecognized addresses. Selecting ‘Advanced setup’ or ‘Show more options’ during the add-account process bypasses that flow and reveals the IMAP fields.
Does New Outlook for Windows support generic IMAP accounts?
Yes. New Outlook supports IMAP accounts, though the option is not as visible as it is in classic Outlook and requires going through the advanced setup screen.
What port should be used for the incoming IMAP server?
Port 993 with SSL/TLS encryption is the standard choice for most providers, though the exact port should always be confirmed with the specific email provider.
What port should be used for the outgoing SMTP server?
Port 587 with STARTTLS is common, and some providers use port 465 with SSL instead. Check the provider’s documentation to confirm which one applies.
Why does Outlook ask for an app password instead of the regular password?
Providers that use two-factor authentication or modern security policies often block regular passwords for IMAP access and require a separate app-specific password instead.
What happens if the IMAP account was already added once and now won’t re-add?
Remove the existing account from Settings > Accounts > Email accounts first, then go through the add-account steps again from the beginning.
Can multiple generic IMAP accounts be added to New Outlook?
Yes, New Outlook supports adding more than one IMAP account. Each one goes through the same Add Account and Advanced setup process individually.
Why does the connection fail even though the server settings look correct?
A mismatched encryption type or incorrect port number is the most common cause. Recheck both the incoming and outgoing settings against the provider’s published values.
Is a restart needed after adding the IMAP account?
A restart is not required, but closing and reopening New Outlook after setup can help confirm the account synced correctly and is pulling in mail as expected.
