Use a screen reader to set up your account in Outlook 2016

The first time you use Outlook 2016, you have to set up your email accounts. This article describes how to do that with your screen reader. Along with your primary email account, you can also set up any additional email accounts you use, such as Office 365, Gmail, Yahoo!, and your work or school account.

Note: This topic assumes that JAWS users have turned off the Virtual Ribbon Menu feature.

Set up your first email account automatically

When you launch Outlook for the first time, the Auto Account Wizard opens. With just your email address and password, you can quickly set up most accounts.

1. Start Outlook, and when the Auto Account Wizard opens, tab to the Next button and press Enter. Tab to the Next > Add Account button, and press Enter.

   Tip: If the wizard doesn't open, open the Account Information page by pressing Alt+F and then the Tab key. Then, to open the Auto Account Wizard, tab to the Add Account button and press Enter.

2. In the Add Account dialog box, tab to the Your Name box and type your name.

3. Tab to the E-mail Address box, and type your email address.

4. Tab to the Password box, and type your email password.

5. Press the Tab key again to go to Retype your password. Retype your password.

6. Tab to the Next button, and press Enter.

   The wizard now does all the required steps to set up your email account in Outlook. This can take several minutes.

   Note: If the Windows Security dialog box opens in the Password box, type your email password and press Enter. This dialog box does not open if your computer is connected to a domain for an organization that uses Exchange Server.

7. After Outlook adds your account, you hear "Your email account was successfully configured."

   Note: If you have another account to add to Outlook, tab to the Add another account button and enter the pertinent information, as in steps 2–7 above. Repeat this for any Outlook.com, Gmail, or other accounts you have.

8. Tab to the Finish button, and press Enter.

   Notes: 

   • If your account is not automatically set up, you may be prompted to try again using an unencrypted connection to the mail server. If that doesn't work, manually set up your account.

   • If you upgrade to Outlook 2016 from an earlier version and you receive error messages about not being able to sign in to or start Outlook, it's because the Exchange AutoDiscover Service isn't configured or isn't working correctly. For solutions, search for "error messages in Outlook 2016" on https://support.office.com.

More information

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• Outlook email setup

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• Contact the Microsoft Disability Answer Desk

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