Outlook Express 5 SMTP Authentication Setup Instructions

We need to setup your e-mail to use something called SMTP authentication. You don't need to worry about this terminology. We just need to make a few quick changes. You don't have to be connected to the Internet to do this but it wouldn't hurt either.

The basic Outlook Express 5.X (OE5) window is pictured below. 

Begin by clicking the "Tools" menu choose the "Accounts" option from the drop-down window as shown below. 

Once you are in the accounts section, you will see the following pop-up window. Click on the "Mail" tab towards the top to see all existing e-mail accounts that are setup on your computer. Be sure to delete obsolete internet accounts for old ISPs. They will generate errors if you run OE5 because the old ISPs will reject your attempt to check non-functioning e-mails. 

Highlight your e-mail account listed in the box by clicking on it then hit the "Properties" button to the right to make a few quick changes.

A properties window will pop-up. It will start in the "General" tab but you need to click on the "Servers" tab at the top to see the following options.

The servers tab is where you set the mail server addresses. You should already have most of the correct info in here. We mainly need to click in the box for "My server requires authentication" so that a checkmark is added. This is the last option before the "OK" button. Do NOT put a checkmark in the "log on using secure password authentication" box. This will prevent you from using your e-mail.

After you have put a checkmark in "My server requires authentication" then you will need to click the "Settings" button to get to the following window. Select the option to "Log on using" and put in your e-mail name and password. Do not choose "Log on using Secure Password Authentication." Click the OK button.

Hit the "Apply" button to finalize your changes then hit the "OK" button. If your family has other e-mail accounts with us then you will need to repeat this same process for each of them. When you've finished, click the "Close" button. You are now ready to send e-mail using SMTP authentication. (Don't forget to connect to the Internet first.)