This guide will show you how to setup Microsoft Outlook 2007, 2010 or 2013 to access your Gmail account via the IMAP
protocol so you can sync all your emails with the server. It is a
relatively straight-forward process too and all you need is your Gmail
email address, password, a pen and paper.
UPDATE:
Google are always changing their security requirements and recently
Outlook (all versions) was affected, so if after following this guide
you keep getting a password prompt, visit the Gmail article My client isn’t accepting my Gmail username or password and do two things (1) activate the Unlock Captcha and then (2) enable access from less secure apps . You should now be able to follow this guide and everything will work fine.
VIDEO
Watch the video above or follow the text guide below.
Setup Outlook to access Gmail via IMAP Enable IMAP in Gmail Open your browser and login to your Gmail account: http://mail.google.com/ Make sure you are in Standard View , not HTML View as these settings are unavailable in HTML/Basic view Click the Gmail Settings icon at the top-right of the page Click the Settings menu item Click the Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab In the IMAP Access heading select the following options:Select: Enable IMAP Select: Auto-Expunge on – Immediately update the server. (default) (recommended) Select: Archive the message (default) (recommended) Select: Do not limit the number of messages in an IMAP folder (default) (recommended) Click Save Changes Configure Outlook to access Gmail via IMAP Open Outlook and…For a new, never before setup Outlook 2007/2010/2013:The Microsoft Outlook 20xx Startup screen should now be open Click Next > then select Yes to the Would you like to configure an E-mail account? option, then click Next > again For a previously setup Outlook 2007 (ie. you are adding an email account in addition to an existing one):Click the Tools menu, then click Account Settings Now select the E-mail tab and click the New… button You should now see the Choose E-mail Service screen Select the Microsoft Exchange, POP3, IMAP, or HTTP option and click Next > For a previously setup Outlook 2010 or 2013 (ie. you are adding an email account in addition to an existing one):Click the File tab, then click the Info menu item (left pane) then click the + Add Account button The Auto Account Setup screen should now be in-view Select the Manually configure server settings or additional server types option and click Next > For Outlook 2013 , select the POP or IMAP option on the Choose service screen, then click Next > For Outlook 2007 and 2010 , leave the Internet E-mail option selected and click Next > Enter your details into the Internet E-mail Settings screen as follows:Your Name: [enter your name]Your E-mail: [enter your email address]For Account Type: option, choose IMAP For Incoming mail server: field, type imap.gmail.com For Outgoing mail server: field, type smtp.gmail.com User Name: [enter your full email address ie. yourname@gmail.com ]Password: [enter your email password] & leave the Remember password box checkedLeave Require logon using Secure Password Authentication (SPA) box un-checked (important! ) Leave Test account settings by clicking the Next button box checked (recommended) Click the More Settings… button, then select the Outgoing Server tab Check the My outgoing server (SMTP) requires authentication box Select the Use same settings as my incoming mail server option Select the Advanced tab, then enter port details as follows:Incoming server (IMAP): 993 Use the following type of encrypted connection: SSL (important! )Outgoing server (SMTP): 587 Use the following type of encrypted connection: Auto Server Timeouts: 5 minutes Leave other settings at defaults unless you require otherwise Click OK to close the More Settings… window, then click Next > on the Internet E-mail Settings screen Outlook will now attempt to logon to the incoming server, then send a test message to the outgoing server If Outlook is successful at both, you will see 2 green ticks , click the Close button on the Test Account Settings popup You should now see the Congratulations! screen, click Finish and you’re all done If Outlook was unsuccessful (1 or 2 red cross ) double-check your settings and if needed, go through this guide again