How To Setup AOL Email in New Outlook

Bywsadmin

Setting up your AOL Mail account in the new Outlook (the redesigned version of Microsoft Outlook for Windows 10/11 as of 2025) is a straightforward process, but there are a few key security steps you need to take in order to ensure that your email syncs correctly and securely. AOL, which is owned by Yahoo (and operated under Verizon Media and now Yahoo Inc.), has adopted stronger authentication protocols to help protect users from unauthorized access. One of the most important parts of this setup is the creation of an “app password,” a special password you generate from your AOL account settings that is designed specifically for use with third-party email clients like Outlook.

Why You Need an App Password

The reason you need an app password instead of your regular AOL password is because AOL has phased out basic authentication for most third-party applications that don’t support OAuth 2.0, a modern, secure login system. Unfortunately, many versions of Outlook—even the newer desktop versions—still connect to email servers using methods that don’t support this newer security standard. As a result, if you try to sign in using your regular AOL email and password, the login attempt will likely be blocked or fail with an error like “Invalid Password” or “Authentication Failed.”

To allow email clients like Outlook to connect securely without compromising your main account credentials, AOL offers the option to generate a secure, single-use app password. This password acts as a bridge—allowing the app to access your mail without actually storing your real password, and without weakening your account’s security. It’s especially useful for devices and apps that don’t support the more secure login technologies.

Step 1: Prepare Your AOL Account by Generating an App Password

  1. Open your web browser and go to the AOL Account Security page: https://login.aol.com/account/security
  2. Sign in using your AOL email address and your regular password.
  3. Once signed in, scroll down to the “App Password” section. If you don’t see it immediately, it may be under “Account Security” or “Manage App Passwords.”
  4. Click “Generate App Password”.
  5. In the prompt that appears, type in a custom label such as “Outlook for Windows.”
  6. Click Generate, and AOL will give you a 16-character password made up of random letters. This is your special password for Outlook.
  7. Copy this password and keep it handy—you’ll need to enter it in Outlook shortly. Do not use your regular AOL password when setting up Outlook.

Note: This app password is separate from your main AOL password. You can generate different app passwords for different apps, and revoke them at any time for security.

Step 2: Open the New Outlook on Your Computer

  1. Launch Outlook on your Windows PC. Make sure you’re using the latest version of the new Outlook, not the classic legacy version. You can check this by looking for a cleaner, more modern interface, or by going to Settings > Switch to new Outlook.
  2. If this is your first time opening Outlook, it will automatically prompt you to add an account.
  3. If Outlook is already in use, go to:
    • Click the gear icon (Settings) in the upper right
    • Choose “Accounts”
    • Then click “Email Accounts” > “Add Account”

Step 3: Enter Your AOL Email Information

  1. In the Add Account window, type in your full AOL email address (e.g., yourname@aol.com) and click Continue.
  2. Outlook will attempt to determine the correct server settings automatically. If you are prompted for a password, paste the 16-character app password you generated earlier.
  3. Do not enter your regular AOL password, as this will not work due to the reasons outlined above.
  4. Click Sign In. If all goes well, Outlook should now connect to the AOL servers and finish setup automatically.

Manual Configuration (Only if Auto Setup Fails)

If Outlook cannot automatically configure the server settings, you may need to enter them manually. Use the following configuration:

Incoming Mail Server (IMAP):

  • Server: imap.aol.com
  • Port: 993
  • Encryption: SSL/TLS

Outgoing Mail Server (SMTP):

  • Server: smtp.aol.com
  • Port: 465
  • Encryption: SSL/TLS
  • Authentication: Required (Use the same email address and app password)

You may also see an option like “Use same settings as incoming mail server” for the outgoing server—make sure this is selected.

Step 4: Finish Setup and Sync Mail

Once Outlook has confirmed your login details and server settings, click Finish (or Done depending on your version). Outlook will now connect to your AOL account and begin downloading your inbox, folders, and message history. This process can take a few minutes depending on the size of your mailbox and your internet speed.

Once syncing is complete, you’ll have full access to your AOL inbox directly from within the new Outlook interface. You can send and receive mail, create folders, and even manage calendar invites (though AOL Mail itself has limited calendar support compared to Outlook or Gmail).

Why the App Password Matters for Your Security

Using an app password allows AOL to keep your main account credentials private and protected. Even if a hacker were to compromise your email client, they would only gain access to that single app password—not your entire account. Additionally, you can revoke an app password at any time through your AOL security settings, giving you full control over your connected devices. This system is part of a broader move in the industry toward multi-factor authentication and token-based security, designed to reduce phishing and account hijacking.

Remove or Re-add the Account

If you run into problems—like not being able to send or receive mail—try removing the account and adding it again using a newly generated app password. This often fixes temporary glitches caused by sync issues or incorrect password entries.