How to set up IMAP/POP account manually (skip "Simplified Account Creation") in Outlook?

I want to add Google Mail's IMAP or POP account to Outlook 2016 for Mac. However Outlook always tries to log in via a browser in all cases. Even if I choose "Not Gmail" option and select "IMAP/POP" provider.

How to skip this "Simplified Account Creation" option and manually set up IMAP account?

Solution 1:

For Windows

There is an article from Microsoft Support which describes how to disable "Simplified Account Creation" via a registry:

1. Exit Outlook.
2. Start Registry Editor. To do this, use one of the following procedures, as appropriate for your version of Windows.
   • Windows 10, Windows 8.1 and Windows 8: Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type regedit.exe, and then click OK.
   • Windows 7: Click Start, type regedit.exe in the search box, and then press Enter.

3. In Registry Editor, locate and then click the user settings subkey in the registry: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\setup

   or the group policy subkey in the registry: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\setup

4. Point to New on the Edit menu and then DWORD (32-bit) Value.

5. Type DisableOffice365SimplifiedAccountCreation, and then press Enter.
6. Right-click DisableOffice365SimplifiedAccountCreation, and then select Modify.
7. In the Value data box, type 1, and then click OK.
8. On the File menu, select Exit to exit Registry Editor.

For more details please check the original article.

For Mac

I accidentally found an unexpected and easy way to add a custom IMAP/POP account:

1. Open Outlook Preferences
2. Hold Option key and click on "Accounts" in "Personal Settings" section.
3. Click on "Add" button (+ icon) in the bottom of the account list. Now there are new actions:
   • New account...
   • Exchange...
   • Outlook.com...
   • Other Email...
   • Directory Service...
4. Select "Other Email" option.

Solution 2:

This answer suggests on Outlook for Windows, using the Mail control panel accessed through File > Account Settings > Manage Profiles.