POP3 (Post Office Protocol) POP3 is an older protocol that was originally designed to be used on only one computer. Unlike modern protocols that use two-way synchronization, POP3 only supports one-way email synchronization, only allowing users to download emails from a server to a client.

Learn how to find and use the POP, IMAP, and SMTP settings for your Outlook.com account in Outlook or other mail apps. Troubleshoot common connection errors and get help from Microsoft.

Learn the difference between IMAP and POP, two methods to access email from different devices. IMAP lets you read messages online, while POP downloads them to your computer.

Download copies of POP3 email messages, but don't delete them from the mail server so that you can view them multiple computers.

POP3 is an older protocol that was originally designed to be used on only one computer. Unlike modern protocols that use two-way synchronization, POP3 only supports one-way email synchronization, only allowing users to download emails from a server to a client.

If you select POP3 or IMAP in the Account Type box, configure the following settings: In the Incoming mail server box, type the name of the server in lowercase letters. The name may be in the form of "mail.contoso.com." Or, the name may be in the form of an IP address, such as 172.12.0.0.

The steps below will help you add a Gmail account to new Outlook, or manage an existing account by deleting it or making it your primary account. Add a new Gmail account. On the View tab, select View settings. Select Accounts > Email accounts. From the email accounts pane, you can now select the option to Add account, Manage an existing account.

The incoming mail server for a POP account may also be called the POP, or POP3, server. For example, if your email provider is example.com, the incoming mail server is likely pop3.example.com. Override default port. To be able to edit the port number that follows the server address, select this check box.

A private individual might have an Internet email account, such as a POP3 account, while corporate workers might have a Microsoft Exchange account. Accounts of other types (including IMAP4 and HTTP accounts) can be added to any profile, and so can additional storage files (such as an Archive.pst file for keeping older messages).

POP and IMAP email settings for Outlook. Tip: If you're a small business owner looking for more information on how to get Microsoft 365 set up, visit Small business help & learning. Learn how to get Outlook set up to work with Microsoft 365, POP, IMAP, or Microsoft Exchange-based email accounts.