imap - FAQ

Setting up IMAP for Windows

General Questions & Troubleshooting

Setting up IMAP for Macintosh

Choosing IMAP or POP

You may choose to use IMAP if…

You check your email with different computers or devices
IMAP lets you keep all of your messages, file attachments and folders in sync, and remembers the condition that you last left them in (read, replied, forwarded, and so on).
You use WebMail in addition to an email program such as Outlook
IMAP lets you keep all of your messages, file attachments and folders synchronized between WebMail and your email program.
You use SpamShield Pro
IMAP works with SpamShield Pro so you can filter out junk email before you download the entire message.
You want the peace of mind of having your email backed up
IMAP messages, file attachments and folders archived online are automatically backed up.
You use a slow connection to the Internet
IMAP lets you selectively download messages and file attachments.
You use a computer or device with limited storage space
IMAP lets you store messages and file attachments online and lets you selectively download only the ones that you need.
You use POP and leave messages on the server
IMAP is designed for this scenario; thus, you avoid the pitfalls of leaving messages on the server with POP.
You used IMAP before and like it
Indeed, IMAP is much more powerful than POP.

You may choose to use POP if…

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Benefits of IMAP vs. POP

The Internet Message Access Protocol or IMAP4 standard is a superset of the basic features found in POP3. IMAP works with all popular email programs such as Outlook, Entourage, Netscape and many others. IMAP has several advantages over POP:

Messages and Folders Stay Synced:
Access all of your messages and folders no matter where you are. IMAP even remembers the condition that you last left them in: Read, Replied, Forwarded, etc.
Messages Stay Safe:
Computer crashed? IMAP can re-sync all of your messages and folders when you get back online.
Fast Over Slow Connections:
Don’t wait for messages to show up one by one. IMAP is optimized to display a list of your messages right away.
Space Saver:
Retrieve a message only when want to read it. IMAP is great for cell phones, PDAs and other devices where storage is a premium.

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Are there any features that IMAP doesn't support?

Yes. The current IMAP implementation does not support the following features at this time; IDLE extension, Share Folder or Unsubscribe Folder (all folders are always subscribed). top

When using IMAP, why can't I change some file folder names?

The following folders are special and cannot be renamed, deleted or moved inside another folder.

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Special Folders

The following folders are special and cannot be renamed, deleted or moved inside another folder.

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Unsupported IMAP Features

The current IMAP implementation does not support the following features at this time; IDLE extension, Share Folder or Unsubscribe Folder (all folders are always subscribed). top

Migrating From POP to IMAP

Here are some tips to help you make the switch from POP to IMAP:

Avoid Duplicate or Missing IMAP Messages
Once you have your IMAP account setup, be sure to remove your POP account from any regularly scheduled and manual email checks. This will prevent duplicate or missing messages when you use IMAP that are caused by the confusion of using both systems together.
Copy POP Folders and Messages to IMAP Server
Before you delete your POP account, you may wish to copy some or all of your POP folders and messages to the IMAP server. Doing so will allow you to see them in WebMail and with an IMAP email program on another computer or device; thus, taking advantage of IMAP's benefits.
Update Email Rules
If you use any sort of email rules (filters), be sure to edit them so that they point to your folders on the IMAP server.

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IMAP Settings for Outlook 2007 (Windows)

Microsoft Support: http://support.microsoft.com

E-mail Accounts (Figure 1)

User Information:
  1. Your Name: Your Name
  2. E-mail Address: Your Email Address
Server Information:
  1. Account Type: imap
  2. Incoming mail server (IMAP): imap.ema1.net
  3. Outgoing mail server (SMTP): smtp.ema1.net
Logon Information:
  1. User Name: Your Email Address (e.g. you@youraddress.com)
  2. Password: Your Password
  3. Remember Password: Optional
  4. Log on using Secure Password Authentication (SPA): Unchecked

Internet E-mail Settings: General (Figure 2)

Mail Account:
  1. Type the name by which you would like to refer to these servers: imap.ema1.net (Recommended)
Other User Information:
  1. Organization: Optional
  2. Reply E-mail: Your Email Address (e.g. you@youraddress.com)
Internet E-mail Settings: Outgoing Server (Figure 3)
  1. My outgoing server (SMTP) requires authentication: Checked
  2. Use same settings as my incoming mail server: Selected

Internet E-mail Settings: Advanced (Figure 4)

Server Port Numbers:
  1. Incoming server (IMAP): 143
  2. This server requires a secure connection (SSL): Unchecked
  3. Outgoing server (SMTP): 25 (or 2525)
  4. This server requires a secure connection (SSL): Unchecked
Server Timeouts:
  1. Short: 1 minute (Recommended)
Tip: Purge Deleted Messages
When you use Outlook with IMAP, a deleted message is not completely erased until it is purged; thus, it still counts against your storage quota. (The benefit of this feature is that you can undelete a message.) To permanently erase your deleted messages and free storage space, choose the Edit menu, and then choose Purge Deleted Messages. If you do not see the Purge Deleted Messages menu item, make sure that your IMAP account is highlighted in the Folders List. You can add a Purge Deleted Messages button to an Outlook toolbar: choose the Tools menu, then choose the Commands tab, then choose the Edit category, and then drag the Purge Deleted Items command out of the dialog box to a toolbar. If you do not see the Purge Deleted Items command in the list of categories, make sure that your IMAP account is highlighted in the Folders List.
Tip: Hide Messages Marked For Deletion
Outlook can be set to not show deleted messages: choose the View menu, and then choose Hide Messages Marked for Deletion. If you enable this feature, be sure to periodically Purge Deleted Messages to ensure that you do not exceed your storage quota. If you do not see the Current View menu item, make sure that your IMAP account is highlighted in the Folders list.

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IMAP Settings for Outlook 2003 (Windows)

Microsoft Support: http://support.microsoft.com

Account Types (Figure 0)

  1. Select the radio button for IMAP

E-mail Accounts (Figure 1)

User Information:
  1. Your Name: Your Name
  2. E-mail Address: Your Email Address
Server Information:
  1. Account Type: imap
  2. Incoming mail server (IMAP): imap.ema1.net
  3. Outgoing mail server (SMTP): smtp.ema1.net
Logon Information:
  1. User Name: Your Email Address (e.g. you@youraddress.com)
  2. Password: Your Password
  3. Remember Password: Optional
  4. Log on using Secure Password Authentication (SPA): Unchecked

Internet E-mail Settings: General (Figure 2)

Mail Account:
  1. Type the name by which you would like to refer to these servers: imap.ema1.net (Recommended)
Other User Information:
  1. Organization: Optional
  2. Reply E-mail: Your Email Address (e.g. you@youraddress.com)
Internet E-mail Settings: Outgoing Server (Figure 3)
  1. My outgoing server (SMTP) requires authentication: Checked
  2. Use same settings as my incoming mail server: Selected

Internet E-mail Settings: Advanced (Figure 4)

Server Port Numbers:
  1. Incoming server (IMAP): 143
  2. This server requires a secure connection (SSL): Unchecked
  3. Outgoing server (SMTP): 25 (or 2525)
  4. This server requires a secure connection (SSL): Unchecked
Server Timeouts:
  1. Short: 1 minute (Recommended)
Tip: Purge Deleted Messages
When you use Outlook with IMAP, a deleted message is not completely erased until it is purged; thus, it still counts against your storage quota. (The benefit of this feature is that you can undelete a message.) To permanently erase your deleted messages and free storage space, choose the Edit menu, and then choose Purge Deleted Messages. If you do not see the Purge Deleted Messages menu item, make sure that your IMAP account is highlighted in the Folders List. You can add a Purge Deleted Messages button to an Outlook toolbar: choose the Tools menu, then choose the Commands tab, then choose the Edit category, and then drag the Purge Deleted Items command out of the dialog box to a toolbar. If you do not see the Purge Deleted Items command in the list of categories, make sure that your IMAP account is highlighted in the Folders List.
Tip: Hide Messages Marked For Deletion
Outlook can be set to not show deleted messages: choose the View menu, and then choose Hide Messages Marked for Deletion. If you enable this feature, be sure to periodically Purge Deleted Messages to ensure that you do not exceed your storage quota. If you do not see the Current View menu item, make sure that your IMAP account is highlighted in the Folders list.

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IMAP Settings for Outlook 2002 (Windows)

Microsoft Support: http://support.microsoft.com

E-mail Accounts (Figure 1)

User Information:
  1. Your Name: Your Name
  2. E-mail Address: Your Email Address
Server Information:
  1. Incoming mail server (IMAP): imap.ema1.net
  2. Outgoing mail server (SMTP): smtp.ema1.net
Logon Information:
  1. User Name: Your Email Address (e.g. you@youraddress.com)
  2. Password: Your Password
  3. Remember Password: Optional
  4. Log on using Secure Password Authentication (SPA): Unchecked

Internet E-mail Settings: General (Figure 2)

Mail Account:
  1. Type the name by which you would like to refer to these servers: imap.ema1.net (Recommended)
Other User Information:
  1. Organization: Optional
  2. Reply E-mail: Your Email Address (e.g. you@youraddress.com)
Internet E-mail Settings: Outgoing Server (Figure 3)
  1. My outgoing server (SMTP) requires authentication: Checked
  2. Use same settings as my incoming mail server: Selected

Internet E-mail Settings: Advanced (Figure 4)

Server Port Numbers:
  1. Incoming server (IMAP): 143
  2. This server requires a secure connection (SSL): Unchecked
  3. Outgoing server (SMTP): 25 (or 2525)
  4. This server requires a secure connection (SSL): Unchecked
Server Timeouts:
  1. Short: 1 minute (Recommended)
Tip: Purge Deleted Messages
When you use Outlook with IMAP, a deleted message is not completely erased until it is purged; thus, it still counts against your storage quota. (The benefit of this feature is that you can undelete a message.) To permanently erase your deleted messages and free storage space, choose the Edit menu, and then choose Purge Deleted Messages. If you do not see the Purge Deleted Messages menu item, make sure that your IMAP account is highlighted in the Folders List. You can add a Purge Deleted Messages button to an Outlook toolbar: choose the Tools menu, then choose the Commands tab, then choose the Edit category, and then drag the Purge Deleted Items command out of the dialog box to a toolbar. If you do not see the Purge Deleted Items command in the list of categories, make sure that your IMAP account is highlighted in the Folders List.
Tip: Hide Messages Marked For Deletion
Outlook can be set to not show deleted messages: choose the View menu, and then choose Hide Messages Marked for Deletion. If you enable this feature, be sure to periodically Purge Deleted Messages to ensure that you do not exceed your storage quota. If you do not see the Current View menu item, make sure that your IMAP account is highlighted in the Folders list.

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IMAP Settings for Outlook 98 & 2000 (Windows)

Microsoft Support: http://support.microsoft.com

Mail Account Properties: General (Figure 1)

Mail Account:
  1. Type the name by which you would like to refer to these servers: imap.ema1.net (Recommended)
User Information:
  1. Name: Your Name
  2. Organization: Optional
  3. E-mail address: Your Email Address (e.g. yourname@youraddress.com)
  4. Reply address: Your Email Address (e.g. yourname@youraddress.com)
  5. Include this account when receiving mail or synchronizing: Checked (Recommended)

Mail Account Properties: Servers (Figure 2)

Server Information:
  1. My incoming mail server is a IMAP server
  2. Incoming mail (IMAP): imap.ema1.net
  3. Outgoing mail (SMTP): smtp.ema1.net
Incoming Mail Server:
  1. Account name: Your Email Address (e.g. yourname@youraddress.com)
  2. Password: Your Password
  3. Remember password: Optional
  4. Log on using Secure Password Authentication: Unchecked
Outgoing Mail Server:
  1. My server requires authentication: Checked

Outgoing Mail Server: Settings… (Figure 3)

Logon Information:
  1. Use same settings as my incoming mail server: Selected

Mail Account Properties: Advanced (Figure 4)

Server Port Numbers:
  1. Outgoing mail (SMTP): 25 (or 2525)
  2. This server requires a secure connection (SSL): Unchecked
  3. Incoming mail (IMAP): 143
  4. This server requires a secure connection (SSL): Unchecked
Server Timeouts:
  1. Short: 1 minute (Recommended)
Sending:
  1. Break apart messages larger than 60 KB: Unchecked (Recommended)
Tip: Purge Deleted Messages
When you use Outlook with IMAP, a deleted message is not completely erased until it is purged; thus, it still counts against your storage quota. (The benefit of this feature is that you can undelete a message.) To permanently erase your deleted messages and free storage space, choose the Edit menu, and then choose Purge Deleted Messages. If you do not see the Purge Deleted Messages menu item, make sure that your IMAP account is highlighted in the Folders List. You can add a Purge Deleted Messages button to an Outlook toolbar: choose the Tools menu, then choose the Commands tab, then choose the Edit category, and then drag the Purge Deleted Items command out of the dialog box to a toolbar. If you do not see the Purge Deleted Items command in the list of categories, make sure that your IMAP account is highlighted in the Folders List.
Tip: Hide Messages Marked For Deletion
Outlook can be set to not show deleted messages: choose the View menu, and then choose Hide Messages Marked for Deletion. If you enable this feature, be sure to periodically Purge Deleted Messages to ensure that you do not exceed your storage quota. If you do not see the Current View menu item, make sure that your IMAP account is highlighted in the Folders List.

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IMAP Settings for Outlook Express 6 (Windows)

Microsoft Support: http://support.microsoft.com

Mail Account Properties: General (Figure 1)

Mail Account
  1. Type the name by which you would like to refer to these servers: imap.ema1.net (Recommended)
User Information
  1. Your Name: Your Name
  2. Organization: Optional
  3. E-mail Address: Your Email Address (e.g. yourname@youraddress.com)
  4. Reply address: Your Email Address (e.g. yourname@youraddress.com)
  5. Include this account when receiving mail or synchronizing: Checked (Recommended)

Mail Account Properties: Servers (Figure 2)

Server Information
  1. My incoming mail server is a IMAP server.
  2. Incoming mail (IMAP): imap.ema1.net
  3. Outgoing mail (IMAP): smtp.ema1.net
Incoming Mail Server
  1. Account name: Your Email Address (e.g. yourname@youraddress.com)
  2. Password: Your Password
  3. Remember password: Optional
  4. Log on using Secure Password Authentication: Unchecked
Outgoing Mail Server
  1. My server requires authentication: Checked

Outgoing Mail Server: Settings… (Figure 3)

Logon Information
  1. Use same settings as my incoming mail server: Selected

Mail Account Properties: Advanced (Figure 4)

Server Port Numbers
  1. Outgoing server (SMTP): 25 (or 2525)
  2. This server requires a secure connection (SSL): Unchecked
  3. Incoming server (IMAP): 143
  4. This server requires a secure connection (SSL): Unchecked
Server Timeouts
  1. Short: 1 minute (Recommended)
Sending
  1. Break apart messages larger than 60 KB: Unchecked (Recommended)

Mail Account Properties: IMAP (Figure 5)

Folders
  1. Root folder path: Leave blank (Recommended)
  2. Check for new messages in all folders: Checked (Recommended)
Special Folders
  1. Store special folders on IMAP server: Checked (Recommended)
  2. Sent Items path: Sent (Recommended)
  3. Drafts path: Drafts (Recommended)
Tip: Purge Deleted Messages
When you use Outlook Express with IMAP, a deleted message is not completely erased until it is purged; thus, it still counts against your storage quota. (The benefit of this feature is that you can undelete a message.) To permanently erase your deleted messages and free storage space, choose the Edit menu, and then choose Purge Deleted Messages. If you do not see the Purge Deleted Messages menu item, make sure that your IMAP account is highlighted in the Folders List. Alternatively, you can use the Purge button in the Outlook Express toolbar for the same effect. Outlook Express can be set to automatically Purge Deleted Messages: choose the Tools menu, then choose Options, then choose the Maintenance tab, and then check Purge deleted messages when leaving IMAP folders.
Tip: Hide Messages Marked For Deletion
Outlook Express can be set to not show deleted messages: choose the View menu, and then choose Hide Messages Marked for Deletion. If you enable this feature, be sure to periodically Purge Deleted Messages to ensure that you do not exceed your storage quota. If you do not see the Current View menu item, make sure that your IMAP account is highlighted in the Folders list.

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IMAP Settings for Netscape 7 (Windows)

Netscape Support: http://help.netscape.com

Account Settings (Figure 1)

User Information
  1. Account Name: imap.ema1.net
Identity
  1. Your Name: Your Name
  2. Email Address: Your Email Address (e.g. you@youraddress.com)
  3. Reply-to Address: Your Email Address (e.g. you@youraddress.com)
  4. Organization: Optional
  5. Attach this signature: Optional
  6. Compose messages in HTML format: Optional

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IMAP Settings for Apple Mail (Mac OS X)

Apple Computer Support: http://www.apple.com/support

Account Information (Figure 1)
  1. Account Type: IMAP
  2. Description: imap.ema1.net
  3. Email Address: Your Email Address (e.g. you@youraddress.com)
  4. Full Name: Your Name
  5. Incoming Mail Server: imap.ema1.net
  6. User Name: Your Email Address (e.g. you@youraddress.com)
  7. Password: Your Password
  8. Outgoing Mail Server: smtp.ema1.net
SMTP Server Options (Figure 2)
  1. Outgoing Mail Server: smtp.ema1.net
  2. Server port: 25 (or 2525)
  3. Use Secure Sockets Layer (SSL): Unchecked
  4. Authentication: Password
  5. User Name: Your Email Address (e.g. you@youraddress.com)
  6. Password: Your Password
Special Mailboxes (Figure 3)
  1. Store draft messages on the server: Checked (Recommended)
  2. Store sent messages on the server: Checked (Recommended)
  3. Delete sent messages when: Optional
  4. Store junk messages on the server: Checked (Recommended)
  5. Delete junk messages when: Optional
  6. Move deleted messages to the Trash mailbox: Checked (Recommended)
  7. Store deleted messages on the server: Checked (Recommended)
  8. Permanently erase deleted messages when: Quitting Mail (Recommended)
Advanced (Figure 4)
  1. Enable this account: Checked
  2. Include when automatically checking for new mail: Checked (Recommended)
  3. 25. Compact mailboxes automatically: N/A
  4. Account Directory: Leave blank (Recommended)
  5. 27. Keep copies of messages for offline viewing: Optional
  6. IMAP Path Prefix: Leave blank (Recommended)
  7. 29. Port: 143
  8. Use SSL: Unchecked
  9. Authentication: Password

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IMAP Settings for Entourage v.X (Mac OS X)

Microsoft Support: http://support.microsoft.com

Edit Account: Account Settings (Figure 1)
  1. Account name: imap.ema1.net
  2. Include this Account in my "Send and Receive All" schedule: Checked (Recommended)
Personal Information
  1. Name: Your Name
  2. E-mail Address: Your Email Address (e.g. you@youraddress.com)
Receiving mail
  1. Account ID: Your Email Address (e.g. you@youraddress.com)
  2. IMAP server: imap.ema1.net
  3. Password: Your Password
  4. Save password in my Mac OS keychain: Optional
Sending mail
  1. SMTP server: smtp.ema1.net
Edit Account: Advanced Sending Options (Figure 2)
  1. SMTP service requires secure connection (SSL): Unchecked
  2. Override default SMTP port: 25: Unchecked
  3. SMTP server requires authentication: Checked
  4. Use same settings as receiving mail server: Selected
  5. Domain for unqualified addresses: Optional

Edit Account: Options (Figure 3)

Message Options
  1. Default signature: Optional
  2. Additional headers: Optional
Server Options
  1. Send command to server simultaneously: Checked
  2. Download complete messages in Inbox: Optional
  3. Partially receive messages over n KB: Optional
  4. Root folder: Leave blank (Recommended)
  5. Live Sync (stay connected with server): Optional
  6. Check for unread messages in subscribed folders: Optional

Edit Account: Advanced (Figure 4)

Special Folders
  1. Store sent messages in this IMAP folder: INBOX/Sent (Recommended)
  2. Store drafts in this IMAP folder: INBOX/Drafts (Recommended)
Delete options
  1. Move messages to the "Deleted Items" folder: Selected
  2. Move to this IMAP folder: INBOX/Trash (Recommended)
  3. Empty "Deleted Items" folder on quit: Optional

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IMAP Settings for Netscape 7 (Mac OS X)

Netscape Support: http://help.netscape.com

Account Settings (Figure 1)
  1. Account name: imap.ema1.net
Identity
  1. Your Name: Your Name
  2. E-mail Address: Your Email Address (e.g. you@youraddress.com)
  3. Reply-to Address: Your Email Address (e.g. you@youraddress.com)
  4. Organization: Optional
  5. Attach this signature: Optional
  6. Compose messages in HTML format: Optional

Advanced Account Settings (Figure 2)

  1. Server: smtp.ema1.net

Server Settings (Figure 3)

  1. Server Type: IMAP Mail Server
  2. Server Name: imap.ema1.net
  3. User Name: Your Email Address (e.g. you@youraddress.com)
  4. Port: 143
Server Settings
  1. Use secure connection (SSL): Unchecked
  2. Check for new mail at startup: Optional
  3. Check for new messages every n minutes: Optional
  4. When I delete a message: Move it to the Trash folder (Recommended)
  5. Clean up ("Expunge") Inbox on Exit: Checked (Recommended)
  6. Empty Trash on Exit: Optional

Copies & Folders (Figure 4)

When sending messages, automatically:
  1. Place a copy in: Checked (Recommended)
  2. "Sent" Folder on: Selected (Recommended)
  3. Bcc : Optional
  4. Bcc another address: Optional

Drafts and Templates

Keep message drafts in:
  1. "Drafts" Folder on: imap.ema1.net: Selected (Recommended)
Keep message templates in:
  1. "Templates" Folder on: imap.ema1.net: Selected (Recommended)
  2. Show confirmation dialog when messages are saved: Optional
Outgoing Server (SMTP) Settings (Figure 5)
  1. Server Name: smtp.ema1.net
  2. Port: 25 (or 2525)
  3. Use name and password: Checked
  4. User Name: Your Email Address (e.g. you@youraddress.com)
  5. Use secure connection (SSL): Unchecked

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