Applies to: Exchange Server 2013, Exchange Online

Topic Last Modified: 2013-01-28

By default, the two POP3 services, the Microsoft Exchange POP3 service and the Microsoft Exchange POP3 Backend service, aren’t started on computers running Microsoft Exchange Server 2013. You must start these two services to allow your email clients to connect to Exchange using POP3. When these services are running, Exchange 2013 accepts unsecured POP3 client communications on port 110 and over port 995 using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL).

The Microsoft Exchange POP3 service runs on Exchange 2013 computers that are running the Client Access server role. The Microsoft Exchange POP3 Backend service runs on the Exchange 2013 computer that’s running the Mailbox server role. In environments where the Client Access and Mailbox roles are running on the same computer, you manage both services on the same computer.

For additional information related to POP3 and IMAP4, see POP3 and IMAP4.

What do you need to know before you begin?

Tip:
Having problems? Ask for help in the Exchange forums. Visit the forums at: Exchange Server, Exchange Online, or Exchange Online Protection.

What do you want to do?

Use the Microsoft Management Console Services snap-in to start or stop the POP3 services

To start the POP3 services:

  1. On the computer running the Client Access server role, click Start, point to Programs, point to Administrative Tools, and then click Services. Right-click Microsoft Exchange POP3, and then click Start.

  2. On the computer running the Mailbox server role, click Start, point to Programs, point to Administrative Tools, and then click Services. In the result pane, right-click Microsoft Exchange POP3 Backend, and then click Start.

To stop the POP3 services:

  1. On the computer running the Client Access server role, click Start, point to Programs, point to Administrative Tools, and then click Services. Right-click Microsoft Exchange POP3, and then click Stop.

  2. On the computer running the Mailbox server role, click Start, point to Programs, point to Administrative Tools, and then click Services. Right-click Microsoft Exchange POP3 Backend, and then click Stop.

Use the Shell to start or stop the POP3 services

To start the POP3 services:

  1. On the computer running the Client Access server role, from the Shell, run the following command to start the Microsoft Exchange POP3 service.

    Copy Code 
    Start-service MSExchangePOP3
  2. On the computer running the Mailbox server role, from the Shell, run the following command to start the Microsoft Exchange POP3 Backend service.

    Copy Code 
    Start-service MSExchangePOP3BE

To stop the POP3 services:

  1. On the computer running the Client Access server role, from the Shell, run the following command to stop the Microsoft Exchange POP3 service.

    Copy Code 
    Stop-service MSExchangePOP34
  2. On the computer running the Mailbox server role, from the Shell, run the following command to stop the Microsoft Exchange POP3 Backend service.

    Copy Code 
    Stop-service MSExchangePOP34BE

Use net start to start or stop the POP3 services

To start the POP3 services:

  1. On the computer running the Client Access server role, at the command prompt, run the following command to start the Microsoft Exchange POP3 service.

    Copy Code 
    Net Start msExchangePOP3
  2. On the computer running the Mailbox server role, at the command prompt, run the following command to start the Microsoft Exchange POP3 Backend service.

    Copy Code 
    Net Start msExchangePOP3BE

To stop the POP3 services:

  1. On the computer running the Client Access server role, at the command prompt, run the following command to stop the Microsoft Exchange POP3 service.

    Copy Code 
    Net Stop MSExchangePOP3
  2. On the computer running the Mailbox server role, at the command prompt, run the following command to stop the Microsoft Exchange POP3 Backend service.

    Copy Code 
    Net Stop MSExchangePOP3BE

How do you know this worked?

  1. On the Exchange Client Access server, open Windows Task Manager. On the Services tab, the status for MSExchangePOP3 will show as Running if the Microsoft Exchange POP3 service is running.

  2. On the Exchange Mailbox server, open Windows Task Manager. On the Services tab, the status for MSExchangePOP3BE will show as Running if the Microsoft Exchange POP3 Backend service is running.