Set Up CUIMC Email in Outlook on Windows


The Steps below provide a thorough walkthrough on how to add your CUIMC email account to Outlook on Windows. Please be sure you have completed the initial steps in Get Started with CUIMC Email.

Outlook 365 is the supported app for CUIMC email accounts and users. It is free to current CUIMC faculty, staff, and students as part of the Microsoft 365 suite of programs. Instructions will also work for Office 2019, though we strongly recommend using Microsoft 365 for best compatibility. Older versions may no longer be supported by Microsoft and should not be used, as they no longer receive security updates or are not fully compatible with Microsoft 365 accounts.

IMPORTANT: CUIMC Duo multifactor authentication (MFA) is required when signing in to email and Microsoft 365 Apps from off campus. Please make sure you are have set up CUIMC Duo if you will ever need to use these when not connected to the CUIMC campus wired, wireless, or VPN.

Quick Steps

If there is no account already set up in Outlook on your computer, it will prompt you when first opened. For detailed steps see further below.

  1. Open Outlook. Enter your full CUIMC email address ending in @cumc.columbia.edu and click Connect.
    IMPORTANT: Do not set up using Advanced options or any manual settings. If you cannot use these Quick Steps, see more detailed steps below.
  2. Enter your CUIMC email password and click Sign in.
  3. If you are off campus, approve your sign-in using CUIMC Duo MFA.
  4. Click Done or follow any prompts to continue the setup.
  5. Outlook will open. Select your Inbox or another folder on the left to view your messages.

 

  1. Select the Start icon in the bottom left corner of your computer screen
  2. enter Control Panel in the search bar or select it from the menu that appears. Animation of opening the Control Panel app from Windows search
  3. In the Control Panel, select the User Accounts link, then the Mail icon.
    Selecting User Accounts, then Mail in the Control Panel
  4. From the Mail Setup window, select Show Profiles.
    NOTE: If the computer does not have any Outlook profiles already set up, you will not see the Mail Setup window and can skip to the next step.
    Windows Mail Show Profiles button
  5. Select the Add button near the middle of the Mail window.
    Windows Mail Add Profile button
  6. Enter your desired Profile Name in the New Profile window; we recommend using CUIMC. Click OK to continue.
    NOTE: When more than one email account is set up on the computer, Outlook will use the Profile Name(s) to let you choose the one you want to log in to.
    New Profile name prompt
  7. The Add Account window will appear. Make sure the E-mail Account option is selected, then type in Your Name and your full CUIMC email address ending with @cumc.columbia.edu.
    NOTE: If you are logged in to the computer with your MC domain account, it may automatically detect and fill out this information, including the shared email/MC domain password.
    Outlook Add Account Window
  8. Enter your CUIMC email password twice, once each in the Password field and again in the Retype Password field.
  9. Select the Next button in the lower right corner of the Add Account window. You will see a message that Outlook is Searching mail server settings... It may take a few minutes to connect to your account.
  10. Once Outlook has found your account, the Sign in window will appear with your email address shown. Enter your password when prompted and click Sign In.
    • If you entere your CUIMC email account password incorrectly, your account will automatically lock after three consecutive bad attempts. You may not see an error message, but will continue to be prompted to type in your username and password. To immediately unlock your account, use the myPassword site.
    • If it fails to connect to the server/email, and you are using a computer that is not on the CUIMC campus, it may be faster to set up your email account when you are connected to VPN. Please cancel any open windows, connect to VPN and try again. Once email is set up on the computer you will not need VPN to use your CUIMC email in Outlook. Animation of sign in after Outlook finds your account
  11. At the Stay signed in to all your apps window, adjust any options to your preference and click OK.
  12. If you are off campus, you will see a prompt from CUIMC Duo MFA to approve or deny any sign in. See detailed steps on using Duo with email and Office 365 if needed. Animation of Duo push prompt and accepting sign in to Web Outlook
  13. Once you have successfully logged in you will see a Congratulations message; click Next in the lower right.
    NOTE: An option to Set up Outlook mobile... may be checked in the lower left, and will open your default browser to a QR code for setting up your email on your phone or tablet. If preferred, you can de-check this (or close any browser window with the QR code) to skip this.
     Add account window showing Congratulations message
  14. The profile you created now appears in the Mail dialog box. Select Apply and then OK.
    NOTE: If you wish to use more than one Outlook profile on the computer (for example, one for CUIMC and the other for a personal email address), select the Prompt for a profile to be used option. When Outlook is opened, you will be prompted to select the profile you would like Outlook to use for that session. Otherwise you can leave Always use the profile selected. Mail window with profile options highlighted
  15. Open Outlook (select it from your Start menu - it may be under a Microsoft Office folder - or search your list of apps) and enter your CUIMC email password when prompted. You will see your mailbox folders including your Inbox.
  16. To verify that you are fully connected, send yourself or a colleague a test message and make sure it is properly received.