Solved POP3 email accounts

[P1312]

Hello, I currently run XP on my home PC and intended to upgrade to a machine operating with Win 8.1. However got wind that 8x does not support POP3. I am not a tekky so don't really know what POP3 is other than my current home email uses it. Seen other discussions on this issue including how to get around this but all looks very complicated. So the question is does Win 7 support POP3 email? Regards.

 

[mitchell65]

Hi and Welcome to the Forum. Windows 7 does not have a native email program within it. Most people use the free download Windows Live Mail or Windows mail. They both accept POP3 accounts. Both those free programs work on Windows 8 so you have no problem keeping your POP3 accounts. There are loads of other third part email programs out there!
This will be of interest:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/...il-setting-up-an-account-from-start-to-finish

 

[dsperber]

Hello, I currently run XP on my home PC and intended to upgrade to a machine operating with Win 8.1. However got wind that 8x does not support POP3. I am not a tekky so don't really know what POP3 is other than my current home email uses it. Seen other discussions on this issue including how to get around this but all looks very complicated. So the question is does Win 7 support POP3 email? Regards.

I think you're using some incorrect terminology, which might add to the confusion.

From what you say, you're most likely using "Outlook Express" from Microsoft in WinXP. This is a POP3-style email client program. There are a number of other similar (but different) email software program products (not from Microsoft) that can also be configured to use the POP3 protocol like Outlook Express. Essentially your email service (commonly your ISP, but it can be a 3rd-party email service from anyone) provides incoming (POP3) and outgoing (SMTP) email servers. Any email for you is received by the POP3 server and then your email client program (e.g. Outlook Express) checks in to the POP3 server for new email, and downloads that email to your local PC. Typically the email is then deleted from the POP3 server, so that it now lives only on your local PC (typically in the INBOX initially, but you can then do whatever you want with it), but this is configurarble.

In reverse, when you want to send new outgoing email (or reply to an email you received) you compose it using your email client software (e.g. NEW MESSAGE, or REPLY, etc.) and then typically push the SEND button. This contacts the SMTP server of your mail service, and your outgoing email is sent up to the SMTP server from where it then gets sent to the ultimate recipient.

Now... starting with Win7 Microsoft removed Outlook Express from the standard operating system where it had lived seemingly forever (certainly it was in WinXP). Instead, they "encourage" you to use Windows Live Mail which is of a COMPLETEY DIFFERENT design notion. It's not that the operating system doesn't support the POP3/SMTP email protocol. It's just that Microsoft does not provide a gratis POP3-style email client like Outlook Express anymore.

So, if you want to continue using this style of email program you need to look elsewhere. A highly regarded free POP3-style email program is available from Mozilla (same people that provide Firefox), named THUNDERBIRD. It's not the exact same as Outlook Express of course, but it looks and works very similarly. Thunderbird is an HTML-based email program (for composition and presentation), which again you'll find very similar to Outlook Express.

I myself use another POP3-style email client program named AGENT (from Forte). I've been using it forever, and continue to use it in Win7 (where of course it still works perfectly). It's a text-based email program for composition, although it does "render incoming email which is in HTML".

Or, you can investigate Windows Live Mail as has been suggested, or anything else. But you won't find Outlook Express anymore.

 

[bigmck]

If you are looking for an email program that is similar to Outlook Express, try Thunderbird.
https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/download It is easy to install.

 

[Slartybart]

POP3 is a protocol.
The Operating System really doesn't matter..... the application using the protocol matters.

The Mail app on Win8 does not support POP3 accounts. Other eMail clients that run on Win8 do support POP3.

Regardless of the OS or the App, you'll need to migrate your contacts, msgs, and other settings to your new environment. This is not a difficult task and it gives you an opportunity to do some Spring Cleaning, but you do need to be careful. The best thing to do is have a current backup before trying any migration or cleanup.

The Win8 Mail App help Using email accounts over POP on Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1 - Microsoft Windows Help page offered one tidbit:

•You can send and receive email from POP accounts using Outlook which is free as part of Windows RT 8.1.

This was not as helpful
•Look for an app in the Windows Store that supports adding email accounts that use POP.

So what does this mean for you? You have two choices:

Use an eMail Client other than Win8 MailApp.
There are a few good ones - it comes down to personal choice... how conforatble are you with the application.
I use Windows Essentials Mail (used to be called Live Mail) - there is a learning curve coming from WinMail or Outlook Express (OE), but it does what I need.

Use IMAP protocol to sync server and client.

If you need help configuring the server inofrmation, you need to tell members who your Service Provider is (Vze, Comcast, AT&T....)

The protocol doesn't really matter - recieving and sending mail is what you want.

If MS is giving you Outlook (OL), I'd use that as my eMail client.
Here's a way to migrate from OE to OL:
Import your messages or account from Outlook Express to Outlook - Outlook

 

[P1312]

POP3 account

Great responses from all, very helpful, thank you. I will post this as solved (once I figure out how ).
Sounds like I can consider moving to 8.1 and a new machine, although I have seen some very good deals on reconditioned units running 7 so probably favourite.

 

[mitchell65]

Great responses from all, very helpful, thank you. I will post this as solved (once I figure out how ).

Just go to the top of the first post in this thread and you will see a button "Mark this thread as solved"

 

[bigmck]

Great responses from all, very helpful, thank you. I will post this as solved (once I figure out how ).
Sounds like I can consider moving to 8.1 and a new machine, although I have seen some very good deals on reconditioned units running 7 so probably favourite.

There are some people on here who like Windows 8.1. There are probably just as many that have tried it and switched back to Windows 7. == Buying a reconditioned PC is not a bad deal. I have bought some in the past and they are just like new.