Outlook At Home: A Guide

Microsoft Outlook is a powerful tool for managing your emails, calendar, and contacts, all in one place. It can be used on the web or as a desktop app, and is available for Windows, Google Chrome, and the new Microsoft Edge. Outlook can be used with multiple accounts, including Microsoft accounts, work or school accounts, and third-party accounts such as Gmail, Yahoo!, and iCloud. Outlook offers a range of features to help you stay organised, including flags, colour-coded calendars, and the ability to pin important emails to the top of your inbox. You can also schedule emails to be sent at a later time and use inbox rules to automatically perform specific actions on incoming emails. Outlook can be set up to work with your Office 365 Exchange mailbox, allowing you to work offline and synchronise once you're back online.

How to sign in to Outlook on the web

To sign in to Outlook on the web, you will need to use a work or school account assigned to you by your organisation. This is a web-based version of Outlook and is different from signing in to Outlook.com or Hotmail.

To sign in, go to outlook.office.com. If you are not automatically signed in with your work or school account, follow the prompts to enter your email address and password. If you have two-factor authentication set up, follow the prompts for this. Then, select 'Sign in'. If you are already signed into Microsoft365.com, select Outlook from there.

If you have signed in with a Microsoft account such as Outlook.com, Hotmail, Live, or MSN, you will need to sign out and sign in again with the correct account. If you are unsure which account you are signed in with, select 'Account Manager' in the Outlook navigation header. If you are not signed in with the correct account, select 'Sign out' and start the process again, or select 'Sign in with a different account' and follow the prompts to sign in with your work or school account.

You can also sign in to Outlook on the web with your work or school account by going to login.partner.microsoftonline.cn and signing in with your work or school account username and password. Follow the same steps as above if you are not automatically signed in.

Finally, you can go to portal.office.de and sign in with your work or school account username and password. Again, follow the same steps as above if you are not automatically signed in.

How to set up a client-based version of Outlook

Setting up a client-based version of Outlook can be done in several ways, depending on the operating system and the version of Outlook. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to set up a client-based version of Outlook:

For Windows:

• Classic Outlook: This is a desktop app that must be downloaded and installed. It is included with many Microsoft 365 subscriptions and versions of Office such as Office Home & Business. To check if you have Classic Outlook, look for the "File" tab on the ribbon at the top of the screen. If you see the "File" tab, you are using Classic Outlook.
• New Outlook: The new Outlook for Windows is available through the Microsoft Store or the Office Content Delivery Network (CDN). It offers a modern design, intelligent capabilities, and customisation options. To check if you have the new Outlook, look for the "File" tab. If you don't see the "File" tab, you are using the new Outlook.
• Adding an email account: Regardless of the Outlook version, you can add an email account by going to "File > Add Account". Enter your email address and click "Connect". Follow the prompts to enter your password and complete the setup.

For Mac:

• To check the version of Outlook on a Mac, go to "Outlook > About Outlook" or "File > Office Account > About Outlook". This will display the version information.
• To add an email account to Outlook for Mac, go to "Outlook > Preferences > Accounts". Click the "+" button to add a new account, then follow the prompts to enter your account information.

It's important to note that the specific steps may vary depending on your operating system version and the Outlook version you are using. Additionally, Microsoft is continuously updating its products, so it's recommended to refer to their official support pages for the most up-to-date instructions.

How to add an email account

To add an email account to Outlook, first, open Outlook and select File > Add Account. If this is your first time launching Outlook, you will see a welcome screen. Enter your email address and select Connect. If your screen looks different, enter your name, email address, and password, and select Next. If prompted, enter your password and select OK.

If you are adding a Gmail account, you will need to select it from the Suggested account dropdown and select Continue. On the Sync your Gmail account screen, select Continue. A new tab will open in your web browser, asking you to sign in with Google. Follow the prompts to complete signing in, including any two-factor authentication. Once you've added your password and followed any two-factor authentication prompts, the Google account permissions window will appear. Select Allow.

From the web browser pop-up window with the message, select Open. Return to Outlook. The Success! window indicates your Gmail account was successfully added to Outlook. Select Done, or add another email account.

If you are adding a Yahoo or iCloud account, you may need an app password.

How to install the web version of Outlook as a progressive web app

Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) are a type of web application that uses modern web technologies to provide users with an experience similar to that of a native mobile app. They are designed to be fast, reliable and attractive, and can be accessed through a web browser on a variety of devices, such as smartphones, tablets and laptops.

One of the key features of a PWA is that it can be installed on a user's device, just like a native mobile app. This makes it possible for users to access the app even when they are offline or have a poor internet connection. PWAs can also be added to a user's home screen and can receive push notifications, which can help increase engagement and retain users.

• Open your preferred web browser. Microsoft recommends using the new Microsoft Edge, but other Chromium-based browsers such as Google Chrome, Brave or Edge will also work.
• Log in to your Outlook on the web or Outlook.com account.
• If you are using Microsoft Edge, select 'Settings and more' at the top of the window, then select 'Apps > Install this site as an app'.
• If you are using Google Chrome, select 'Customize and control Google Chrome' at the top of the window, then select 'Install Outlook'.
• For other Chromium-based browsers, simply click the '+' sign in the address bar and select 'Install'.

Once installed, you will be able to view your emails offline, receive notifications, and use the app in its own window, without needing to open a web browser. You can also pin the app to your taskbar and/or start menu, create a desktop shortcut, and even set it to auto-start on device login.

How to use Outlook in Google Chrome

To use Outlook in Google Chrome, you can access the web version of Outlook as a progressive web app. Here's how:

• In Google Chrome, sign in to your Outlook on the web or Outlook.com account.
• Select "Customize and control Google Chrome" at the top of the window.
• Select "Install Outlook".

Alternatively, you can use the Outlook browser extension in Google Chrome. Here's how:

• Go to the Chrome Store to install the extension.
• After installing, click on the Outlook extension icon to open the login screen.
• Sign in to your Outlook work account, Outlook.com, or Hotmail account.
• Once you have successfully signed in, click on the extension and start using it.

If you are using a Chromebook, you can access Outlook by opening the browser and going to www.outlook.com. Sign in with your personal Microsoft Account or any account associated with your Microsoft 365 subscription.

If you are having issues with Outlook not loading in Google Chrome, there are several quick fixes you can try:

• Delete the browser cookies.
• Restart your computer.
• Clear Google Chrome's cache.
• Update to the latest version of Chrome.
• Disable your ad blocker for Outlook.
• Activate JavaScript for Outlook.

Frequently asked questions