How do configure a "Send Only"-account in the (New) Outlook for Windows?

Christoph 20 Reputation points
2026-10-17T07:25:36.0533333+00:00

Hello!

I’m using the new Outlook for Windows and have multiple email accounts (Outlook.com and some IMAP accounts). All IMAP accounts forward to my main Outlook.com email, which works fine.

Sometimes I want to send an email directly from one of the IMAP accounts. I have all the account details. In the classic Outlook, it was possible to add a “Send Only” account so the inbox wouldn’t appear in Outlook. Is such a setup also possible in the new Outlook for Windows?

I’m a big fan of having a single mailbox, but I don’t want my primary Outlook.com account exposed for every project.

Thanks a lot!

Best,

Christoph

Outlook | Windows | New Outlook for Windows | For home
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Answer accepted by question author

AI answer

2026-10-17T07:26:28.3066667+00:00

New Outlook for Windows cannot currently be configured with a standalone SMTP or “send-only” account; to send from that address, add it as a complete IMAP/POP account or continue using classic Outlook for the send-only arrangement.

Microsoft lists IMAP and POP as supported account types in new Outlook, but the documented workflow adds the address as an email account, including mailbox access; it provides no option to disable incoming synchronization or configure only an SMTP server.^1^^2^

Available workaround in new Outlook

Add each IMAP address as a regular account:

  1. Open View → View settings or File → Account info.
  2. Select Accounts → Your accounts.
  3. Under Email accounts, select Add Account.
  4. Enter the IMAP email address and select Continue.
  5. Complete authentication. If Outlook requests an app password, generate one through the email provider and use it instead of the normal password.

These are the documented account-add steps for new Outlook.^3^

To send from that address:

  1. Create a new message.
  2. If From is not displayed, select Options → Show From.
  3. Select From, then choose the required IMAP account.

New Outlook uses the currently selected primary account for a new message unless another added account is selected in From.^4^

This workaround still adds and synchronizes the IMAP mailbox, so it does not reproduce the classic send-only setup. Existing forwarding can prevent you from having to monitor that inbox, but it does not remove the mailbox from new Outlook.

If the inbox must not be added

Use classic Outlook for this specific configuration. New Outlook and classic Outlook can be run side by side, and Microsoft states that users can switch back using the New Outlook toggle.^5^

To request native send-only/SMTP-only support, open new Outlook and select Help → Feedback. Microsoft identifies the in-app feedback option as the channel for feature requests.^5^

References

  1. Supported accounts in new Outlook for Windows
  2. Feature comparison between new Outlook and classic Outlook | Microsoft Support
  3. Add an email account to Outlook for Windows
  4. Change the account used to send email messages in Outlook for Windows | Microsoft Support
  5. Getting started with the new Outlook for Windows | Microsoft Support
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