Enable POP3 in Exchange 2013

Applies to: Exchange Server 2013, Exchange Online

Topic Last Modified: 2012-10-05

When you install Microsoft Exchange Server 2013, POP3 client connectivity isn't enabled. To enable POP3 client connectivity, you need to start two POP3 services, the Microsoft Exchange POP3 service and the Microsoft Exchange POP3 Backend service. When you enable POP3, 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 with the Client Access and Mailbox roles 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?

Estimated time to complete: 2 minutes.
You need to be assigned permissions before you can perform this procedure or procedures. To see what permissions you need, see the "POP3 and IMAP4 Permissions" section in the Clients and Mobile Devices Permissions topic.
For information about keyboard shortcuts that may apply to the procedures in this topic, see Keyboard Shortcuts in the Exchange Admin Center.

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 POP3

On the computer running the Client Access server role:

In the Services snap-in, in the console tree, click Services (Local).
In the result pane, right-click Microsoft Exchange POP3, and then click Properties.
On the General tab, under Startup type, select Automatic, and then click Apply.
Under Service status, click Start, and then click OK.

On the computer running the Mailbox server role:

In the Services snap-in, in the console tree, click Services (Local).
In the result pane, right-click Microsoft Exchange POP3 Backend, and then click Properties.
On the General tab, under Startup type, select Automatic, and then click Apply.
Under Service status, click Start, and then click OK.

Use the Shell to enable POP3

On the computer running the Client Access server role:

Set the Microsoft Exchange POP3 service to start automatically.
Copy Code
Set-service msExchangePOP3 -startuptype automatic
Start the Microsoft Exchange POP3 service.
Copy Code
Start-service msExchangePOP3

	Copy Code
Set-service msExchangePOP3 -startuptype automatic

	Copy Code
Start-service msExchangePOP3

On the computer running the Mailbox server role:

Set the Microsoft Exchange POP3 Backend service to start automatically.
Copy Code
Set-service msExchangePOP34BE -startuptype automatic
Start the Microsoft Exchange POP3 Backend service.
Copy Code
Start-service msExchangePOP3BE

	Copy Code
Set-service msExchangePOP34BE -startuptype automatic

	Copy Code
Start-service msExchangePOP3BE

How do you know this worked?

On the Exchange Client Access server, open Windows Task Manager. On the Services tab, the status for MSExchangePOP3 will show as Running if POP3 is enabled.
On the Exchange Mailbox server, open Windows Task Manager. On the Services tab, the status for MSExchangePOP3BE will show as Running if POP3 is enabled.