Additional mailboxes in Outlook.com

Question

Why is my gmail account icon in the left pane of outlook.com?

This account doesn't show up under connected accounts, but it's listed under Premium > Additional mailboxes, with the option to delete it. Other accounts I've added don't show up in the left pane. How would I add another account to the left pane if wanted? 

Answer 1

Hi tpane,

Thank you for posting here in the Microsoft Community Forum.

We see that you have concerns about your Gmail account that’s showing in the left pane in the Outlook.com website. Allow us to check on this and we’ll assist you in the best way we can.

Based on the screenshot included, it’s from a Microsoft account with an Office 365 subscription. As we’ve tried replicating this on our end using an account with subscription as well, we’ve seen that the additional mailbox that can be added and will show in the left pane of the Outlook.com page is for a Gmail account. Upon checking further, it seems like it can only add a Gmail mailbox in that portion in Outlook.com. Please see this image:

This is one of the premium features in Office 365 that allows user to manage their mailbox from Gmail through this Outlook web version. May we confirm which Microsoft 365 subscription do you have? Is it for Family, Personal, or for Business?

We’ve also tried adding other accounts and it shows under the connected accounts instead. Just to verify, which specific accounts did you add on your end? Is it another Outlook/Hotmail.com account or does it have a different domain name?

To notify us and have us get back to you, simply reply to this post.

Answer 2

Hi Louie,

Thank you for your help. I couldn't remember how I had added this account, but seeing your screenshot with the little envelope reminded me.

Yes, I'm using Microsoft 365 Personal. I’ve been experimenting and here’s what I’ve discovered.

When you add a connected account, regardless of whether it is a Gmail account or Outlook.com account, or iCloud account (I tried all three), it shows up as a folder at the bottom of the regular list of folders. Also, it will be listed in Settings > Mail > Sync email under Manage your connected accounts. In other words, your entire added account is contained within that one folder in your folder list.

In contrast, when you click on the little envelope with the plus sign in the far-left pane, you are adding not just a Gmail account, but the entire Gmail mailbox, hence, “Additional mailboxes.” The difference is that this is not a “connected account” inserted into your folder structure, but rather, a replacement. When you click on the Gmail icon, your Outlook.com folders are replaced by your Gmail folders so that the left pane now shows only your Gmail folders. Click the Outlook.com icon, and it switches back.

Apparently, this is only for Gmail, and you can only do it for one Gmail account, not multiple. When you click your Account Manager icon on the top right, while in the Gmail account, it will display that Gmail address, …@gmail.com. This account will not be listed in the connected accounts list but will show up under Premium > Additional mailboxes.

Thanks again for your help.

Answer 3

Apparently, this is only for Gmail, and you can only do it for one Gmail account, not multiple. When you click your Account Manager icon on the top right, while in the Gmail account, it will display that Gmail address, *** Email address is removed for privacy ***. This account will not be listed in the connected accounts list but will show up under Premium > Additional mailboxes.

Thanks again for your help.

After one hour of tricking in and out, up and down on my Premium Hotmail Account, I finally stumbled into your post.
I was trying to add a third GSuite/Gmail account, without messing up the inbox/label organization that the "sync email" function provides to the "not premium" users (until 20 added email accounts, they say....uhuh.... good luck with subfolders and labels).
The first time I set up my second, independent GSuite account on my hotmail premium outlook.com interface It's been so easy and natural.
It's absolutely comfortable using it without switching among platforms and I was astonished (and worried about my mental disorder) about not being able to replicate something that needed no more than 2 minutes to set up just a week before.
Now I have your confirmation.
No third Gsuite/Gmail account is possible to add to a Premium Hotmail. Forget it! Don't know why, but that is!
I'm a Premium Hotmail subscriber since 2005 and Microsoft seems to forget this kind of olda' folks, still focused on email instead of AI.... ;-)
(Of course, no binging, neither googling or querying the embedded help of Outlook.com web interface, provided any light or suggestion)

Answer 4

You’re most welcome.

Thank you as well for providing that information. You are correct on that about the connected accounts in Outlook.com and the additional mailbox that can also be configured in aside from the main account.

We truly appreciate your efforts and for taking the time to raise this concern to us.

Should you have other queries that we can attend to, don’t hesitate to let us know.

Regards.

Louie Del