how do I add an Imap email to outlook. I con not get to the imap information screen

Question

I am trying to add my email to outlook. I keep getting a message that says the account already exists. However, I need to get to the Imap screen in order to post the Imap details

Answer 1

Hi. I'm Brian and I'll try to help.

In Outlook, select View>View Settings>Accounts>Your Accounts. What do you see in terms of accounts? That's the place where you should be able to remove or modify the accounts you have configured.

Answer 2

In classic Outlook for Windows, IMAP settings are only shown when using the advanced/manual setup path. If Outlook says the account already exists, the existing profile must be removed or a new profile created before adding it again as IMAP.

To add the account as IMAP with full IMAP detail control in classic Outlook for Windows:

1. Open classic Outlook.
2. Select File > Add Account.
3. Enter the email address.
4. Select Advanced options, then check Let me set up my account manually and select Connect.
5. On the account type screen, select IMAP.
6. On the Account settings screen, enter the incoming and outgoing server names, ports, and SSL settings as provided by the email provider. If any fields are pre-populated but incorrect, overwrite them.
7. Select Next, then enter the account password and select Connect.

If the account is already present in the profile and blocking re‑add:

• Remove the existing account from Outlook first, then repeat the steps above, or
• Create a new Outlook profile and add the account there using the same advanced/manual IMAP steps.

If server settings are unknown, obtain them from the email provider or administrator. For detailed POP/IMAP setting references, see the POP and IMAP account settings article linked from the classic Outlook advanced setup documentation.

On mobile (Outlook for Android/iOS), IMAP details are only available when choosing IMAP explicitly and enabling advanced settings:

• Outlook for Android: Settings > Add Account > Add Email Account → enter address → Continue → choose IMAP → toggle Advanced settings on → enter server settings.
• Outlook for iOS: Settings > Accounts > Add Account > Email Account → enter address → Add Account → if prompted, choose IMAP → toggle Use Advanced Settings on → enter server settings.

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References:

• Add an email account to Outlook for Windows
• Set up email in the Outlook for Android app
• Set up the Outlook app for iOS
• How do I set up an IMAP account?