How to Access an AOL Email Account with Windows Mail

AOL mail in AOL is nice, but do you want to start the behemoth every time you send or check mail? And then AOL is a bit limited compared to a dedicated email program such as Windows Mail. Right?

Right. Fortunately, you can access any AOL email account just fine in Windows Mail — with all the benefits (including stationery) of Windows Mail.

Access an AOL Email Account with Windows Mail

To set up an AOL email account in Windows Mail:

• Select Tools | Accounts... from the menu in Windows Mail.
• Click Add....
• Make sure E-mail Account is highlighted.
• Click Next.
• Enter your name under Display Name:.
• Click Next.
• Type your AOL email address under E-mail address:.
• Click Next.
• Make sure IMAP is selected under Incoming e-mail server type:.
• Enter "imap.aol.com" under Incoming mail (POP or IMAP) server:.
• Enter "smtp.aol.com" under Outgoing e-mail (SMTP) server name:.
• Make sure Outgoing server requires authentication is checked.
• Click Next.
• Enter your AOL screen name under E-mail username:.
• Type your AOL password under Password:.
• Click Next.
• Click Finish.
• Highlight the "imap.aol.com" account.
• Click Properties.
• Go to the Advanced tab.
• Enter "587" under Server Port Numbers for Outgoing mail (SMTP):.
• Now go to the IMAP tab.
• Make sure Store special folders on IMAP server is not checked.
• Click OK.
• Click Close.