How to add a second email account to Classic Outlook Desktop without wiping out existing email account

AL Vino 0 Reputation points
2026-10-29T21:54:09.65+00:00

My Outlook (Classic) is set up as an IMAP to my Earthlink account. I want to add my Yahoo account to Outlook and keep my Earthlink account as well. How do I add the Yahoo account without deleting the existing Earthlink account & emails? Basically, I want to have separate email accounts accessible via Outlook. Currently using Windows 10; Microsoft 365, version 2608. Thanks for the assistance.

Outlook | Windows | Classic Outlook for Windows | For home
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  1. AI answer

    2026-10-29T21:54:52.2833333+00:00

    Add Yahoo through File > Add Account in the existing Outlook profile; this creates an additional account and does not remove or replace the EarthLink account.

    Add the Yahoo account

    1. Open Outlook (classic).
    2. Select File.
    3. Select + Add Account.
    4. Enter the complete Yahoo email address, then select Connect.
    5. In the Yahoo sign-in window, enter the Yahoo password and complete any two-factor authentication prompts.
    6. On the Yahoo permissions screen, select Agree.
    7. When Outlook reports that the account was successfully added:
      • Clear Set up Outlook Mobile on my phone, too if unwanted.
      • Select Done.
    8. In Outlook’s folder pane, select the Yahoo account and open its Inbox.

    Microsoft documents this specific Yahoo authentication flow for Classic Outlook, including the Yahoo sign-in and permissions screens.^1^

    EarthLink and Yahoo should now appear as separate accounts with their own mail folders. Microsoft confirms that the same File > Add Account procedure is used for both first and additional accounts in Classic Outlook.^2^

    Do not select File > Account Settings > Account Settings > Remove for EarthLink. Removing an account is a separate operation and is not part of adding Yahoo.

    If Yahoo does not sign in automatically

    If Outlook explicitly asks for an app password, generate one through Yahoo’s account-security settings and paste that generated password into Outlook instead of the normal Yahoo password. Microsoft notes that an app password can be required for some provider/account configurations.^2^

    If automatic detection fails before Yahoo’s sign-in window appears:

    1. Go to File > Add Account.
    2. Enter the Yahoo address.
    3. Select Advanced options.
    4. Check Let me set up my account manually.
    5. Select Connect > IMAP.
    6. Enter the current incoming and outgoing server settings supplied by Yahoo, followed by the required password or app password.^2^

    Use manual IMAP setup only as the fallback; the Yahoo-specific automatic sign-in procedure is the preferred first attempt.

    References

    1. Add or manage a Yahoo! email account in Outlook | Microsoft Support
    2. [Classic Outlook](https://support.microsoft.com/outlook/getstarted/add-an-email-account-to-outlook-for-windows#troubleshoot)
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