How to set up Windows 10 Mail

Windows 10 can cover the basic aspects of a mail program. Of course, you can write, answer, and forward emails, sort them into folders, and set rules if you want emails with a specific subject or sender to be automatically moved to a folder.

However, this is where the program’s capabilities end. You can use the mail program with the Windows 10 Calendar app, but it cannot function as a more profound Office program. Therefore, it is not a replacement for Outlook from the Microsoft Office suite.

Unlike Outlook, you cannot connect to Office programs such as Word, Excel, or PowerPoint. You can only program very simple quick steps (such as automatic replies or forwarding) or set up categories. The ability to automatically categorize emails and link them to a (group) calendar is extremely helpful, especially in everyday office life.

Windows 10 Mail does not offer its own email account

Before you can use the pre-installed mail app on Windows 10, you must first link your email account, such as Outlook, to the app.

To do this, open the small Mail program by clicking on the Windows start symbol in the taskbar at the bottom left or by pressing the WINDOWS button. You can find the program under M, as Mail.

When you open the program for the first time, you will be prompted to link an email account. Windows 10 Mail supports Outlook accounts, Exchange, Gmail, Yahoo, and ICloud, if your provider isn’t among those listed, just select the “Other account” option. This option allows you to connect to providers like Web.de or GMX.

If you want to connect to Gmail or Yahoo, click on the relevant icon and a new window will open. Here, you enter your login data as usual and log in to your account. That’s all you need to do to link your accounts centrally with the Windows 10 Mail app.

Linking to other accounts

If your provider is not among those listed, then linking to Windows 10 Mail is just a little bit more complicated.

Instead of registering directly with the online service, you simply enter your email address, name, and password under ‘Other account’ and can register in this way. You are now linked to this provider.

After successfully linking your mail accounts to Windows 10 Mail, the program will start to sync your mail. This process can take a few minutes depending on the number of emails.

Add more accounts

To add more accounts to the program, open the control bar in Windows 10 Mail. To do this, click on the three horizontal lines at the top left and open the settings by clicking on the gear symbol at the bottom right. At the top of this settings menu is the “Manage accounts” option.

Under “Manage Accounts” click on “Add Account” next to the big plus sign. Now, Windows 10 Mail will guide you through the same process under ‘Add Account’ as when you first signed up for the program. Again, you choose the right provider or add an “Other account”.

Quick start Guide: Windows 10 Set up Mail app

1. Open the Windows 10 Mail app from the Windows Start menu.
2. Register with your email provider. If your provider is not in the list, log in via ‘Other account.’
3. If you want to sign in to another account with Windows 10 Mail, click the gear icon in the bottom left, then click ‘Add Account.’ Repeat step 2.