I want to specify the SMTP server to use when sending mails either because my existing server is unreliable or because I am changing ISPs.
Background
To send and receive emails using an email client such as Outlook two different settings must be configured. Receiving email is done using the POP3 setting, while sending is done using SMTP. In the case of @home both the POP3 and SMTP setting should be mail.home.co.uk. Each email provider has their own POP3 and SMTP settings, but some ISPs insist that you use their SMTP server for sending mails. This means that you may not initially be able to use the @home SMTP server for sending mails. The easiest way to determine if your ISP will allow you to use a third party SMTP server is to try to send emails after changing the SMTP setting to the @home server. If your ISP does have a restriction you will be able to receive, but not send. To overcome this restriction you can change the SMTP port, as detailed below.
Solution
How to change your SMTP server
Start Outlook.
Go to Tools->Accounts.
Select the Account you wish to change and click on Properties.
Click on the Server tab and enter the SMTP settings in the Outgoing Mail (SMTP) box. For @home this is mail.home.co.uk. If you want to use your ISP SMTP server you will need to obtain the server name from them.
Ensure there is a tick in the 'My server requires authentication' and click on Settings.
Put a check in the box called 'log on using'. Enter the username and password for the ISP. It is easiest if you also put a tick in the 'remember password' box.
Click OK and then Apply.
You should now be able to send and receive emails using Outlook.
How to change your SMTP port
Start Outlook.
Go to Tools->Accounts.
Select the Account you wish to change and click on Properties.
Go to the Advanced tab and change the SMTP port number from 25 to 587.
