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Microsoft Outlook Express
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Outlook Express (Windows Mail) Version 4x and later Email Client Setup
- Start Outlook Express and select Tools -> Accounts from the menu.
- If the Internet Connection Wizard didn't start automatically in Step 1, change to the Mail tab, click on
the Add button and then click on Mail.
- On the Your Name screen, type in the name or nickname you'd use to sign a regular letter (not your email address). Your screen
should look similar to the following before you proceed:
- On the Internet Email Address screen, type in your SFF Net Email address. Do NOT put in any other
email address other than your @sff.net address or your email will bounce. (Exception: If you have an SFF Net hosted domain, you may use an email address
from that domain (i.e. if SFF Net hosts mydomain.com for you, you may use bettyb@mydomain.com).
Your screen should look similar to the following before you proceed:
- On the E-mail Server Names screen, select POP3 from the drop-down box, enter pop3.sff.net
in the Incoming mail field, and in the Outgoing mail (SMTP) server box type smtp.sff.net.
Your screen entries must look exactly like the following before you proceed:
- At the beginning, we said you'd need your SFF Net username and password handy. Get them now. On the Internet Mail Logon screen,
enter your SFF Net username (not your email address) in the Account Name
box, and your SFF Net password in the Password box. See the Secret Handshakes page
for more information.
Your screen should look similar to the following before you proceed:
- If your version of the software asks you for a Friendly Name pick any name you want to identify your SFF Net account. We
suggest "SFF Net Mail" or you may accept the default name.
- If your version of the software asks you to select a Connection Type, choose the method you use to access the Internet. For example:
- Click Finish on the Congratulations window to save your basic E-mail configuration.
Unfortunately, the screen lied - you have not completed all steps necessary to use email yet. But don't panic! There are just a few settings left.
- Once again, select Tools -> Accounts from the menu.
- This time, click the Mail tab, highlight the SFF Net email account you just created and click the Properties button to display the detailed settings.
- On the Properties screen, first look at the General tab and verify the entries.
IMPORTANT: There are strict rules about what can be entered in the E-mail Address box.
- If you are using SFF Net's SMTP Server to send outgoing mail:
DO NOT change the Email Address field to contain anything except your @sff.net address (or an address @ your SFF Net-hosted domain). If you want replies to your email to go to an address other than your @sff.net address, you should enter the desired address in the Reply address field instead. Otherwise, leave the Reply address field blank.However:
- If you are using your ISP's (or other non-SFF Net) SMTP server to send outgoing mail:
PLEASE DO change the entry in the Email Address field to a valid address that matches your ISP's domain. Mail will bounce if you try to send email through your ISP with your @sff.net address (or an address using your SFF Net-hosted domain). If you want replies to mail sent through your ISP's SMTP server to arrive in your SFF Net mailbox, put your @sff.net address in the Reply address field.
- If you are using SFF Net's SMTP Server to send outgoing mail:
- Change to the Servers tab of the Properties screen and make sure the My server requires authentication box is
checked in the Outgoing mail section (the Log on using Secure Password Authentication box should NOT be checked).
Before leaving this tab dialog, click the Settings button to bring up the Outgoing Server Logon screen. Verify that the Use the same settings as my incoming mail server button is selected.
- Change Outlook Express to use 587 for your SMTP Server Port Number instead of the default 25 entry.
Your screen entry must look exactly like the following or you will not be able to send mail:
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Please have your SFF Net username, password, and SFF Net Email address handy (they were included in your original signup confirmation email). You'll need them to complete these instructions.
Note: If you have a domain hosted by SFF Net, all of the configuration steps below are the same except Step 4.
Well done! You've completed the email portion of Outlook Express setup. Be sure to see the Next Page for instructions on setting up the Outlook Express news reader.
What's next?
Your SFF Net POP3 email box has a variety of extra features you can control, including:
- Highly effective, configurable spam filters
- Automatic virus and HTML script protection
- Junk folder for reviewing spam caught by filters
- Message preview before downloading
- Email auto-forwarding
- Automatic out-of-office replies
You can control these options using your web browser through our WebMail system. You'll want to read more about controlling your email box in the SFF Net Email section of the help system.