Overview
This guide walks you through adding your email account to the classic Microsoft Outlook desktop app (Outlook 2016, 2019, 2021, and Microsoft 365 Classic) using IMAP. IMAP keeps your messages synchronized between the server and all your devices, so anything you read, send, or file in Outlook is reflected everywhere else you check your mail.
Before you begin
Have the following ready:
- Your full email address (for example, yourname@usgo.net)
- Your email account password
- Confirmation that you are using Outlook Classic — not the “New Outlook” toggle. If the toggle in the upper-right of Outlook says New Outlook is On, switch it Off before continuing. The steps below do not apply to New Outlook or Outlook on the Web.
Server Settings (Quick Reference)
Use these settings any time Outlook asks for server information.
IMAP — Incoming Mail
| Setting | Value |
|---|
| Incoming Mail Server | mail.usgo.net |
| Port | 993 |
| Encryption Method | SSL/TLS |
| Username | Your full email address |
| Password | Your email account password |
| Require Secure Password Authentication (SPA) | No (unchecked) |
SMTP — Outgoing Mail
| Setting | Value |
|---|
| Outgoing Mail Server | mail.usgo.net |
| Port | 465 |
| Encryption Method | SSL/TLS |
| Username | Your full email address |
| Password | Your email account password |
| Outgoing Server Requires Authentication | Yes — use the same username and password as the incoming server |
Step 1 — Open the Account Setup Wizard
- Launch Outlook.
- Click the File tab in the upper-left corner.
- On the Info screen, click Add Account.
Tip: If this is the first time you’ve ever opened Outlook, the Add Account wizard will start automatically — skip to Step 2.
Step 2 — Choose Manual Setup
Outlook will try to auto-configure your account, but for IMAP we recommend setting it up manually so the correct ports and encryption are used.
- When prompted, enter your full email address.
- Click Advanced options, then check the box for Let me set up my account manually.
- Click Connect.
- On the Choose account type screen, select IMAP.
Step 3 — Enter the IMAP and SMTP Server Settings
On the IMAP Account Settings screen, enter the following:
Incoming mail
- Server: mail.usgo.net
- Port: 993
- Encryption method: SSL/TLS
- Leave Require logon using Secure Password Authentication (SPA) unchecked.
Outgoing mail
- Server: mail.usgo.net
- Port: 465
- Encryption method: SSL/TLS
- Leave Require logon using Secure Password Authentication (SPA) unchecked.
Click Next when finished.
Step 4 — Enter Your Password
- When prompted, type your email account password.
- Click Connect.
Outlook will test the incoming and outgoing server connections. When both show a green checkmark, click Done.
Step 5 — Verify Outgoing Server Authentication
This step ensures Outlook uses your credentials when sending mail. Skipping it is the most common cause of “cannot send” errors.
- Go to File → Account Settings → Account Settings.
- Double-click your new email account.
- Click More Settings (lower-right).
- Open the Outgoing Server tab.
- Check My outgoing server (SMTP) requires authentication.
- Select Use same settings as my incoming mail server.
Click the Advanced tab and confirm:
- Incoming server (IMAP): 993, encryption SSL/TLS
- Outgoing server (SMTP): 465, encryption SSL/TLS
- Click OK, then Next, then Close.
Step 6 — Send a Test Message
Send an email to yourself (or another address you can check) to confirm both sending and receiving are working. Allow a minute or two for the message to round-trip.
Troubleshooting
“Cannot connect to incoming server” or login fails repeatedly
- Double-check that your username is your full email address, not just the part before the @.
- Confirm your password by signing in to webmail. If webmail works but Outlook doesn’t, the password is correct and the issue is in Outlook’s settings.
- Make sure encryption is set to SSL/TLS, not “Auto” or “None.”
“Cannot send mail” / messages stuck in Outbox
- Re-check Step 5 — outgoing authentication is the most common cause.
- Some Internet providers block port 465. If you suspect this, try a different network (such as a mobile hotspot) to confirm. Contact our support team if the issue persists.
Account works but folders look wrong or are missing
- In Outlook, right-click your account name in the folder list and choose IMAP Folders → Query, then subscribe to the folders you want visible (such as Sent, Drafts, Junk, and Trash).
“New Outlook” keeps reappearing
- Toggle New Outlook to Off in the upper-right corner of the Outlook window. If the toggle isn’t visible, you’re already in Outlook Classic.
Need More Help?
If you’ve completed these steps and are still unable to connect, please contact our support team and include:
- The exact error message you’re seeing (a screenshot is ideal)
- Your email address (never your password)
- The version of Outlook you’re using (File → Office Account → About Outlook)