I want to use different computers to access my email
More than one user is using the same email account, but from different computers
I temporarily want to use another computer to access my email but don't want to store my mail on this computer
Background
The Internet Messaging Access Protocol (IMAP) is an alternative to POP3 that is often used where multiple computers are used to access a single email account. A key disadvantage of POP3 access is that it assumes that the same computer is always used to access email. If different computers are used, emails can end up scattered across multiple machines. IMAP addresses this issue by leaving all mail on the server, rather than downloading it to a local client. Emails can still be manipulated by the local computer but the final storage will always be on the server, so that when the account is accessed at a later stage all mails are present.
Solution
Connect to the Internet either using a dial up connection or an always-on connection such as cable or DSL.
Start up Outlook. Note that if you have already configured outlook for POP3 access you may wish to delete this existing account and create an IMAP account by following the steps below.
Select Tools->Accounts.
Click on the Add button and then select Mail. The Internet Connection Wizard should appear with a prompt to enter your name. Type your name as you want it to appear when you are sending emails. Click Next to proceed.
Now enter your email address (username@home.co.uk) and select the Next button.
You must now specify the protocol you want to use for the incoming mail server. Select IMAP from the options available.
Enter mail.home.co.uk, as both the IMAP and SMTP server.
The next box requires information about your Internet mail logon. In the account name box enter your full email address. Then type in the password that you have set up for this account. Do NOT select Secure Password Authentication.
The last step is to specify how you will connect to the Internet. If you are using a dial up connection then select 'connect using my phone line'. Alternatively if you have a cable modem or access to the Internet via a network then select the second option. You may also decide to manually connect to the Internet each time you want to retrieve your emails. This is possible using the third option.
You should now see a Congratulations window. Select Finish.
You must now configure the properties of this mail account. To do this select the account mail.home.co.uk and click on the Properties button.
Select the Servers tab and put a tick in 'my incoming server requires authentication'.
You are now ready to start using Outlook. When connected to the Internet your emails will appear in the mail.home.co.uk folder.
