Applies to: Exchange Server 2013, Exchange Online

Topic Last Modified: 2012-10-05

When you install Microsoft Exchange Server 2013, IMAP4 client connectivity isn't enabled. To enable IMAP4 client connectivity, you need to start two IMAP services, the Microsoft Exchange IMAP4 service and the Microsoft Exchange IMAP4 Backend service. When you enable IMAP4, Exchange 2013 accepts unsecured IMAP4 client communications on port 143 and over port 993 using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL).

The Microsoft Exchange IMAP4 service runs on Exchange 2013 computers that are running the Client Access server role. The Microsoft Exchange IMAP4 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 more information related to setting up 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 enable IMAP4

On the computer running the Client Access server role:

  1. In the Services snap-in, in the console tree, click Services (Local).

  2. In the result pane, right-click Microsoft Exchange IMAP4, and then click Properties.

  3. On the General tab, under Startup type, select Automatic, and then click Apply.

  4. Under Service status, click Start, and then click OK.

On the computer running the Mailbox server role:

  1. In the Services snap-in, in the console tree, click Services (Local).

  2. In the result pane, right-click Microsoft Exchange IMAP4 Backend, and then click Properties.

  3. On the General tab, under Startup type, select Automatic, and then click Apply.

  4. Under Service status, click Start, and then click OK.

Use the Shell to enable IMAP4

On the computer running the Client Access server role:

  1. Set the Microsoft Exchange IMAP4 service to start automatically.

    Copy Code
    Set-service msExchangeIMAP4 -startuptype automatic
    
  2. Start the Microsoft Exchange IMAP4 service.

    Copy Code
    Start-service msExchangeIMAP4
    

On the computer running the Mailbox server role:

  1. Set the Microsoft Exchange IMAP4 Backend service to start automatically.

    Copy Code
    Set-service msExchangeIMAP4BE -startuptype automatic
    
  2. Start the Microsoft Exchange IMAP4 Backend service.

    Copy Code
    Start-service msExchangeIMAP4BE
    

How do you know this worked?

  1. On the Exchange Client Access server, open Windows Task Manager. On the Services tab, the status for MSExchangeIMAP4 will show as Running if IMAP4 is enabled.

  2. On the Exchange Mailbox server, open Windows Task Manager. On the Services tab, the status for MSExchangeIMAP4BE will show as Running if IMAP4 is enabled.