1. Configuring Outlook Express

Before you can use Outlook Express to read your email you need to configure it with information about your email account.

1. Start Outlook Express. You can usually start it either from an icon either on the Desktop, or in the Quick Launch tray (usually next to the Start button), or by clicking on Start, selecting [Programs] and then [Outlook Express]. If you are running your copy of Outlook Express for the first time, a window with the title Internet Connection Wizard will appear automatically to help you enter information on your email account; if this happens in your case, please skip to step 2. If you have used Outlook Express before, you will need to start the Internet Connection Wizard manually by clicking on the [Tools] menu and selecting [Accounts] to view the Internet Accounts window. Click on Add and select [Mail...] from the menu that appears.

Internet Accounts window - no accounts listed
Figure 1. Internet Accounts window

If you have used another email programme on your computer previously, the Internet Connection Wizard may detect this and present you with a screen asking whether you wish to import the details of your account from that programme. In this guide, however, we will be assuming you are configuring Outlook Express to work with your Nexus account from scratch. To do so, select the Create a new Internet mail account option and click on Next.

2. Enter your Display name as you would like it to appear in any messages you send and click on Next.

Your name screen
Figure 2. Your Name screen

3. The next window will prompt you for your E-mail address. Enter it in the format firstname.lastname@unit.ox.ac.ukand click Next.

email address screen
Figure 3. Email Address screen

4. The next window will prompt you for technical information about your E-mail account. From the drop-down menu My incoming mail server is a ... server, select IMAP. Under Incoming mail server, enter imap.nexus.ox.ac.uk

Under Outgoing mail server, you also need to enter smtp.ox.ac.uk

When you have entered the information, click Next to proceed.

Server names screen
Figure 4. Server Names screen

5. You will now be prompted for your login details. In the field next to Account name, enter your Single Sign-On user name as provided for you by OUCS, eg abcd1234. In the field next to Password, enter your Single Sign-On password. You have the option of ticking the box next to Remember password, but please note that this will enable anyone who gains physical access to your computer to access all your emails. If you leave the box unticked, Outlook Express will prompt you for your password each time you open the programme, thus providing a greater level of security.

The Log on using Secure Password Authentication (SPA) box must remain unticked. Another method of securing your connection will be set up at a later stage of the setup process.

To proceed, click Next.

Account logon screen
Figure 5. Internet Mail Logon screen

6. The final window simply requires you to click Finish to complete the first stage of configuring Outlook Express to access your E-mail account.

Finish screen
Figure 6. Finish screen

Upon completing the Internet Connection Wizard, Outlook Express may produce one or more error messages. This is no cause for concern; it is caused by the fact that the security settings required to connect to your Nexus account are higher than those Outlook Express uses by default. Close the error messages and proceed to Section 2.

Up: Contents Next: 2. Securing connections to the incoming and outgoing mail servers