Setting up an Outlook e-mail account doesn't have to be confusing — just be prepared before you start. Start at the beginning and find out what all those terms mean, what information you'll need along the way, which options you really require, and what those options do.

Protecting your information is important; be sure to read the section on security and privacy.

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Understanding the basics

• About e-mail accounts
• About connecting to your e-mail server
• About connecting to Microsoft Exchange over the Internet
• What is an Exchange Server e-mail account?
• Outlook e-mail profiles explained

Getting things set up

• Add or remove an e-mail account
• Make an e-mail account the default
• Choose e-mail accounts and folders to check for new items
• Change your ISP e-mail account information
• Update Outlook with your new e-mail account password
• Troubleshoot e-mail accounts

Use Outlook with...

Learn about advanced settings and security

Working with Exchange Server settings

• Change the behavior of the startup connection to Exchange Server
• Determine the Exchange mailbox mode
• Change your server connection method
• Open additional Exchange mailboxes
• Specify Exchange network security
• Troubleshoot Exchange network security

Speed things up using Cached Exchange mode with Exchange

• About Cached Exchange Mode
• Turn on or off Cached Exchange Mode
• Change the Cached Exchange Mode connection setting
• Troubleshoot Cached Exchange Mode

Connecting to Microsoft Exchange over the Internet

• Connect to Exchange server using HTTP
• Specify HTTP address of your Exchange server
• Specify SSL when connecting to Exchange over the Internet
• Verify the connection to Exchange through the Internet
• Troubleshoot connecting to Exchange server using HTTP

Locate and store items in Personal Folders files (.pst)

• Determine the Personal Folders file (.pst) format
• Working with Outlook data files
• Move your Outlook data file to another location
• Using the Personal Folders file backup tool
• Download: Personal Folders file backup tool add-in

E-mail security and privacy basics

• Password-protect Outlook
• Update Outlook with your new e-mail account password
• Using Outlook on a computer that you share with other people
• Best practices to help prevent spam
• Best practices for protection from viruses