You connect your Apple computer to your e-mail account using a Web browser in the same way that you connect using a Windows computer.

For instructions, go to How to Connect to Your Account Using a Web Browser. For information about supported browsers, see Outlook Web App Supported Browsers.

You can connect to your account automatically, or you can connect using IMAP or POP.

Connecting automatically

There are two programs you can use to connect to your e-mail account automatically:

• Entourage 2008, Web Services Edition
  
• Mac OS 10.6 Snow Leopard
  

If you're running Entourage 2008, you can connect using Entourage 2008, Web Services Edition, a free update for Entourage 2008 users. Connecting to your e-mail account using Entourage 2008 Web Services Edition provides a more complete e-mail experience than connecting using IMAP or POP. For example, if you connect using Entourage 2008, Web Services Edition, you'll be able to synchronize Notes, Tasks, Calendar items, or Categories between Outlook Web App and Entourage 2008.

If you're running Mac OS 10.6 Snow Leopard, you can use the Mail program that's included with Snow Leopard to connect to your account without using IMAP or POP. As with Entourage 2008, Web Services Edition, the steps for connecting to your account with Mac Mail for Mac OS 10.6 Snow Leopard are simpler than the steps needed to connect using IMAP or POP.

For more information about using Entourage 2008, Web Services Edition or Mac OS 10.6 Snow Leopard to connect your Mac to your account, follow the steps in one of these topics:

• Set Up Entourage 2008, Web Services Edition for Your Account
  
• Set Up Mail for Mac OS 10.6 Snow Leopard Access to Your E-Mail Account
  

Connecting using IMAP or POP

There are many e-mail programs that you can use to connect to your e-mail account on your Apple computer using IMAP or POP.

Note:
If you don't know whether your e-mail account supports IMAP and POP, contact your helpdesk.

To connect using IMAP or POP, you can use the programs listed in the following section, in addition to other programs.

• Set Up Mail for Mac OS X for IMAP or POP Access to Your E-Mail Account
  
• Set Up Entourage for Mac OS X for IMAP or POP Access to Your E-Mail Account
  

  Note:
  The preceding topic includes steps for connecting to your account using Entourage 2004 and Entourage 2008.

• Set Up Mozilla Thunderbird 2.0 for Your E-Mail Account
  
• Set Up Mozilla Thunderbird 3.0 for Your E-Mail Account
  

Note:
You can use most IMAP and POP programs to connect to your account. If you're not using a program listed here, see Access Your Account Using IMAP or POP E-Mail Programs.