Set up Outlook on your Windows PC.

Follow these steps to install Microsoft Outlook on your Windows 10 or 11 PC, sign in with your Microsoft 365 account, and optionally add any shared mailboxes your organisation uses.

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Before you begin

You'll need your Microsoft 365 work email address, your password, and access to your authenticator app or phone for two-factor verification. If your organisation manages your PC through Microsoft 365 Business, Outlook may already be installed β€” check your Start menu before proceeding.

1

Check if Outlook is already installed

Click the Start button (Windows logo, bottom-left) and type "Outlook" in the search bar. If Microsoft Outlook appears in the results, it's already installed β€” click it to open and skip ahead to Step 3.

If Outlook doesn't appear, proceed to the next step to install it.

Two versions of Outlook on Windows: You may see "Outlook (new)" and "Outlook" listed separately. Both work with Microsoft 365 β€” the newer version has a simplified interface. If unsure, open either one and follow the same sign-in steps.
Search for apps, settings…
Microsoft Outlook
App Β· Trusted Microsoft Store app
Suggested searches
β†’ Sign in to Outlook
Start
2

Install Outlook via the Microsoft 365 portal

If Outlook isn't installed, open your web browser and go to microsoft365.com. Sign in with your work email and password.

Once signed in, click your profile icon in the top-right, then click View account or click the Install apps button on the Microsoft 365 home page. Download and run the installer β€” this installs the full Microsoft 365 suite including Outlook.

The installation takes a few minutes. Once complete, Outlook will appear in your Start menu.

No Install Apps option? Your organisation's IT policy may manage software installation centrally. Contact Hello Computer and we'll install Outlook for you remotely.
microsoft365.com β€” Microsoft Edge
Microsoft 365
Welcome, Jane Smith
Install apps
Outlook, Word, Excel & more
3

Open Outlook and add your account

Open Microsoft Outlook from the Start menu. The first time it opens, you'll see a welcome screen or an "Add Account" prompt.

Enter your work email address (e.g. jane.smith@yourcompany.com.au) and click Connect. Outlook will detect that this is a Microsoft 365 account and proceed to the sign-in screen.

Outlook β€” Add Account
Welcome to Outlook
Enter your work email address to get started
Email address
jane.smith@yourcompany.com.au
Cancel
Connect
4

Sign in with your Microsoft 365 password

A Microsoft sign-in window will appear. Enter your password and click Sign in.

If your organisation uses two-factor authentication, you'll be prompted to approve the sign-in via the Microsoft Authenticator app on your phone, or to enter a code sent by SMS. Complete the verification step to continue.

Stay signed in? When asked, you can click Yes to remain signed in β€” this is fine on a personal or company-managed device. On a shared PC, select No.
Sign in β€” Microsoft account
Sign in
jane.smith@yourcompany.com.au
Password
β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’β€’
Forgot password?
Sign in
5

Outlook syncs and opens your inbox

After signing in, Outlook will automatically configure your account and begin downloading your emails, calendar items, and contacts. This initial sync may take a few minutes depending on the size of your mailbox.

Once complete, your inbox will display and Outlook is ready to use. You'll see email, calendar, contacts, and tasks accessible from the left-hand navigation panel.

Inbox looks empty? The initial sync can take up to 5–10 minutes for large mailboxes. If it remains empty, check your internet connection and try closing and reopening Outlook.
Inbox β€” Microsoft Outlook
+ New
πŸ“₯ Inbox
⭐ Starred
πŸ“ Sent
πŸ—‘ Deleted
Inbox (2)
Microsoft 365
Welcome to Microsoft…
Your account is ready
Hello Computer
Outlook is set up βœ“
Great, you're all set
Welcome to Microsoft 365
Your Microsoft 365 account is active and connected to Outlook. Here's how to get the most out of your new tools…
Optional β€” Shared Mailbox

Add a shared mailbox to Outlook on Windows

If your organisation has granted you access to a shared mailbox, you can add it to Outlook so it appears alongside your personal inbox. Your IT administrator must first grant you Full Access permission in Microsoft 365 before this will work.

1

Open Account Settings in Outlook

In Outlook, click File in the top-left corner of the ribbon. Then click Add Account. The Add Account wizard will open.

If you're using the new Outlook for Windows, click the Settings gear icon in the top-right, then Add Account at the bottom of the accounts list.

File β€” Account Information
Info
Open
Save
Print
Account Information
jane.smith@yourcompany.com.au
+ Add Account
Account Settings  β–Ό
2

Enter the shared mailbox email address

In the Add Account window, type the shared mailbox's email address β€” for example, reception@yourcompany.com.au β€” and click Connect.

Because you have Full Access permission already granted, Outlook will automatically recognise the shared mailbox and add it without requiring a separate password. Click Done when prompted.

Tip: After adding, the shared mailbox will appear in the left-hand navigation pane under your personal inbox as a separate folder tree. It may take a minute to appear and begin syncing.
Add Account
Add Account
Email Address
reception@yourcompany.com.au
Enter the shared mailbox address. You must already have Full Access permission for this to work.
Cancel
Connect
3

The shared mailbox appears in the folder pane

The shared mailbox will now appear in the left-hand folder pane in Outlook, below your personal inbox. Expand it to see its subfolders: Inbox, Sent Items, Drafts, and so on.

To send an email from the shared mailbox, click New Email, then click the From field and select the shared mailbox address from the dropdown. Recipients will see the shared address β€” not your personal one.

Shared mailbox not appearing? Close and reopen Outlook. If it still doesn't appear after a few minutes, contact Hello Computer β€” it may indicate a permissions issue that needs resolving in Microsoft 365 admin.
Inbox β€” Microsoft Outlook
Jane Smith
πŸ“₯ Inbox
πŸ“€ Sent
Reception
πŸ“₯ Inbox
πŸ“€ Sent
πŸ“ Drafts
Reception Inbox
John Davies
Appointment enquiry
Hi, I'd like to make…
βœ“ Shared mailbox added
Appointment enquiry
Hi, I'd like to make an appointment for next week…

Need a hand?

If you get stuck at any point, our team is happy to walk you through the setup over the phone or via remote support.

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