How do I set up email in Windows 8.1 (proof that Windows is rubbish!)

cambsno

cambsno

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Rant alert! Setting up my sons laptop as Santa is too busy!!! Use a laptop with windows for work (looks nothing like windows 8) but been a macboy for 10 years. Why is it so hard to set up an email on here??? Given up on Outlook as it tries to send an email and doesn't/cant. Download the free Mail app and although I can send an email ok, there is nothing in the inbox after I reply. Spent 45 mins on this and fed up! Why cant things be like a Mac and just work???

Seriously though, how do I get email setup and working (it is a mac email but that shouldn't be an issue?)
 
I use the built in Mail app. To add an account, swipe in from the right edge, choose Settings, Accounts, Add Account.
 
I would install chrome and have gmail account managed through the browser unless you need use the existing one.
Or the mail app as above - it's much easier than setting up outlook express ever was.
 
Another vote for Mozilla Thunderbird or use web mail in browser.
 
If it can't send email you've not setup the SMTP settings correctly. Are you using pop to download?
 
neil_g said:
Sounds more like a settings issue than windows or mail app to be fair..

Is this a mobileme @mac.com email?

What settings are you using?
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Sounds like more of a dipstick issue to be fair.

Mac users like to complain about Microsoft :)
 
neil_g said:
Sounds more like a settings issue than windows or mail app to be fair..

Is this a mobileme @mac.com email?

What settings are you using?
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Yes, @me.com

Basic setup. Will send email but doesn't receive. Outlook is the office version with word.
 
Byker28i said:
If it can't send email you've not setup the SMTP settings correctly. Are you using pop to download?
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Mail will send but outlook won't. I know it sounds like an cliche but when I have set non Mac emails up on a Mac it works in seconds so why can't it on a pc?
 
T
cambsno said:
Mail will send but outlook won't. I know it sounds like an cliche but when I have set non Mac emails up on a Mac it works in seconds so why can't it on a pc?
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Thunderbird will "automatically" set up mac/me/icloud.com addresses as IMAP on a PC or Mac or Linux. I frequently set up other people's PCs with Thunderbird and use my @mac.com address as a test since I am familiar with the password and do the same on Linux trying out distributions/VirtualBox.
 
When you setup email you configure two sets of settings. One group for downloading/synchronising mail folders, either imap or pop3) and another group for sending email (smtp). It sounds like you have one set configured incorrectly.

Many mail apps ask you for an email address and a password and then try and figure out the rest for you. This doesnt always work.

Sounds like you have an issue with the imap/pop3 settings.
 
Another for Thunderbird
 
neil_g said:
Shock as stock apple mail app knows all the right setting for apple mail?
.
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He's not using Apple Mail app because it is Windows 8 - the references to Mail app are a bit confusing, it must be a Windows app
 
sphexx said:
He's not using Apple Mail app because it is Windows 8 - the references to Mail app are a bit confusing, it must be a Windows app
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But he was when on the mac.....when it worked by telepathy apparently ;)
 
Serious lack of transferable skills.
 
cambsno said:
Rant alert! Setting up my sons laptop as Santa is too busy!!! Use a laptop with windows for work (looks nothing like windows 8) but been a macboy for 10 years. Why is it so hard to set up an email on here??? Given up on Outlook as it tries to send an email and doesn't/cant. Download the free Mail app and although I can send an email ok, there is nothing in the inbox after I reply. Spent 45 mins on this and fed up! Why cant things be like a Mac and just work???
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It's not supposed to be like a Mac. So Mac thinking is a handicap to you. People who use Windows and other OSs are more used to picking an application that suits them best, rather than take the default app delivered with the OS. Not everyone is the same, so different email programs suit different people. I avoid Microsoft browsers and email programs as they are not the best. There are lots to try out. But if you just don't care, then take the default. But don't complain if it's junk.
 
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Yep, I'd go with Thunderbird.
 
B1ts said:
But he was when on the mac.....when it worked by telepathy apparently ;)
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I dunno, I've re-read his posts and I don't get that. However, I use Apple Mail (plus MailTags plus InfoClick) all the time but while I find it works very well it's NOT perfect. At present I've added a MS live/outlook.com email address to it and it often fails to collect demanding re-entry of password -- it's probably MS at fault but who knows?
 
sphexx said:
I dunno, I've re-read his posts and I don't get that. However, I use Apple Mail (plus MailTags plus InfoClick) all the time but while I find it works very well it's NOT perfect. At present I've added a MS live/outlook.com email address to it and it often fails to collect demanding re-entry of password -- it's probably MS at fault but who knows?
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Neil was expressing faux shock at apples mail app knowing about apples settings as per the original post that said why doesn't it just work like apples app does.

He was not saying the Microsoft mail app was the apple mail app.
Hth hand etc ;)
 
Ok, to try to clear some stuff up for those that struggle to understand...

Mac mail is not perfect but and easy way to do email. Of course the .mac or .me emails are going to work but when I setup gmail or emails from my tog domain (with 123-reg) it just worked first time, every time. I had assumed that these things would be easy on any computer but my gmail would not work on this when testing and then .me wouldn't either on the laptop. Have tried both the wizard and the manual way and doesnt seem to work. Now today it did have 3 emails i sent yesterday but not one from today, so its working sort of but will check again tomorrow.

Ian, of course I know that programs suit different people but a simple email setup should be easy to do in any email program - sure, others will have more and better functions but it should at least just work! Looks like i will have to try thunderbird.
 
cambsno said:
Ian, of course I know that programs suit different people but a simple email setup should be easy to do in any email program - sure, others will have more and better functions but it should at least just work! Looks like i will have to try thunderbird.
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Yes, entering email and server details is not obvious for non nerds like me. As it's something that we don't do often, and it's nothing like other things we do.

I've had no trouble setting up Thunderbird and Kmail recently. "It just works!" And every email client is slightly different. So it's not anything to do with the OS provider. Windows might be "rubbish", but this doesn't "prove" that.

Regarding Thunderbird, I used it for many years, and now I've just switched back to it after years on Opera. And Thunderbird is OK. It all works. But I find it a bit clunky. I HATE the search! So I'm looking for something with improved ergonomics.
 
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Outlook's 'wizard' tends to get things wrong if your settings aen't obvious (like you send through one set of servers and receive through another). Just take your time going through the setup manually checking for mistakes. It's also quite possible that there's a problem with your provider that is nothing to do with the computer.

Thunderbird is fine too, but I prefer Outlook for professional use, TB for home use.
 
cambsno said:
Mail will send but outlook won't. I know it sounds like an cliche but when I have set non Mac emails up on a Mac it works in seconds so why can't it on a pc?
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Just wait until you want a unified inbox like on phones and tablets and OSX. Then you'll really going to dislike Mail on Windows :) been there done it. Still haven't found a good solution.
 
I must be the only person left on the planet to like MS, I even have one of their phones. Both the laptop (on win 10) and the phone both get emails, from all our accounts, sync well, the x box is linked, and even the pc and phone can cast to the TV. Win 10 update was easy and I do like it, much better than win 8.1

Now I've said that it will go into blue screen of death mode, but hey....
 
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