Enable IMAP4 in Exchange 2013

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?

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 IMAP4

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 IMAP4, 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 IMAP4 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 IMAP4

On the computer running the Client Access server role:

Set the Microsoft Exchange IMAP4 service to start automatically.
Copy Code
Set-service msExchangeIMAP4 -startuptype automatic
Start the Microsoft Exchange IMAP4 service.
Copy Code
Start-service msExchangeIMAP4

	Copy Code
Set-service msExchangeIMAP4 -startuptype automatic

	Copy Code
Start-service msExchangeIMAP4

On the computer running the Mailbox server role:

Set the Microsoft Exchange IMAP4 Backend service to start automatically.
Copy Code
Set-service msExchangeIMAP4BE -startuptype automatic
Start the Microsoft Exchange IMAP4 Backend service.
Copy Code
Start-service msExchangeIMAP4BE

	Copy Code
Set-service msExchangeIMAP4BE -startuptype automatic

	Copy Code
Start-service msExchangeIMAP4BE

How do you know this worked?

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.
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.