Set up Outlook on Windows

Here's how to add your Microsoft 365 work account to Outlook on a Windows PC. Once setup is complete, your email, calendar and contacts sync automatically.

You need a PC with Windows 11, the email address and password for your work account, and an internet connection.

Step 1: Open Outlook

Outlook is usually installed on a PC with Microsoft 365. Search for “Outlook (classic)” in the Start menu and open it. There are several versions of Outlook, and we recommend the classic one.

Don't have it? Go to portal.office.com, sign in, click Install and more, select Install Microsoft 365 apps and follow the wizard.

Step 2: Add your account

The first time you open Outlook, the new account wizard starts on its own. If you've used Outlook before, select File and Add Account.
Enter your work email address and click Connect. Outlook finds the settings on its own.
Enter your password and click Sign in.
If you use MFA, approve the sign-in in the Authenticator app on your phone.
Click Done. Outlook fetches your email. This can take a few minutes the first time.

Step 3: Check that everything works

Your email shows up in the inbox.
Your calendar is synced. Click the calendar icon on the left.
Send an email to yourself and check that it arrives.

Settings worth knowing

Out-of-office reply: File, Automatic Replies. See Set up an out-of-office reply.
Signature: File, Options, Mail, Signatures. See Set up an email signature.
Conversation view: the View tab, Show as Conversations. Turn it on or off to suit your taste.

Common problems

Outlook keeps asking for your password. Usually the password has changed, or MFA hasn't been completed. Check that your MFA method is active at aka.ms/mfasetup.
Email isn't syncing. Check your internet connection, press F9 to send and receive, and restart Outlook.
Outlook won't start. Restart your PC. If that doesn't help, hold down Ctrl while you click the Outlook icon, and Outlook starts in safe mode.