OLEXP: How to Configure Outlook Express for Unattended Dial-Up

This article describes how to configure Outlook Express to use an unattended Dial-Up Networking connection to check for new messages on a mail or news server.

To configure Outlook Express to use an unattended dial-up connection, use the following steps:

Outlook Express 4.x0

1. On the Tools menu, click Accounts.
2. On the Mail or News tab, click the e-mail or news account you want to use, and then click Properties.
3. Click the Connection tab, click Connect Using My Phone Line, and then click the Dial-Up Networking connection you want to use.
   
   NOTE: If you have not set up a Dial-Up Networking connection to your mail server, click Add, and then follow the instructions on the screen.
4. Click OK, and then click Close.
5. On the Tools menu, click Options.
6. Click the General tab, select the Check for new messages every <n> minute(s) check box, and then set the number of minutes you want Outlook Express to wait before checking for new messages. The <n> value must be between 1 and 480 minutes (eight hours).
7. Click the Dial Up tab, click Dial This Connection, and then click the Dial-Up Networking connection you specified in step 3.
8. Select the Automatically dial when checking for new messages check box.
9. Select the Hang up when finished sending, receiving, or downloading check box, and then click OK.

In Outlook Express 5

1. On the Tools menu, click Accounts.
2. On the Mail or News tab, click the e-mail or news account you want to use, and then click Properties.
3. Click the Connection tab, select the Always connect to this account using check box, and then click the Dial-up Networking connection you want to use.
   
   NOTE: If you have not set up a Dial-Up Networking connection to your mailserver, click Add, and then follow the instructions on the screen.
4. Click OK, and then click Close.
5. On the Tools menu, click Options.
6. Click the General tab, select the Check for new messages every <n> minute(s) check box, and then set the number of minutes you want Outlook Express to wait before checking for new messages. The <n> value must be between 1 and 480 minutes (eight hours). In the "If my computer is not connected at this time" list, select Connect even when working offline.
7. Click the Connection tab, select the Ask before switching dial-up connections check box, and the Hang up after sending and receiving check box, and then click Change.
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8. Under "Dial-up settings" select your dial-up connection from step 3, click Always dial my default connection, click Set Default, and then click Settings.
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9. Click Advanced, select the Disconnect when connection may no longer be needed check box, and then click OK four times to close all of the dialog boxes.
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For more information about configuring Outlook Express for Internet mail or news, see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: