Overview
This section serves as a how-to-guide for those who need to set up an Outlook or Gmail address.
Setting up an Outlook Address
- Open a web browser window and navigate to outlook.com
- A large blue button should be on the screen “Create free account”. Click the button.
- A prompt will appear for Create account.
- Please choose what the account should be named (e.g. joebuser@outlook.com). Outlook.com or Hotmail.com can be chosen from a drop-down menu.
- If the desired new account name is taken, an error message in red text will be displayed: “Someone already has this email address. Try another name.”
- If Microsoft detects a similarly named account in use, it may prompt with “You may already have an account”.
- The option “Create the account anyway” can be chosen, but this could cause problems later. It is recommended that a new name be created. To do so, click the back arrow in front of the desired name to go back.
- Once an acceptable name has been chosen, click Next.
- A prompt will appear for Create a password. Select an appropriate password.
- The option to opt-in or opt-out of Microsoft offer emails can be toggled.
- If the selected password does not meet Microsoft’s standards, an error message in red text will be displayed: “Passwords must have at least 8 characters and contain at least two of the following: uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.”
- Once an acceptable password has been chosen, click Next.
- A prompt will appear for What’s your name? Enter the appropriate First and Last name. When done, click Next.
- A prompt will appear for What’s your birth date?
- Select the appropriate country and birth date from the drop-down menus.
- Once all information is provided, click Next.
- A prompt will appear for Create account. This should be a verification step to protect against robotic hacking.
- Read the image and provide the characters seen within. If the image cannot be read, or the information is invalid upon entry, click the New button to receive a new image.
- An option for an audio challenge is available. Click the Audio button to use it as an alternative to the image.
- Once the characters have been provided, click Next.
- Microsoft should be processing the request. A prompt will appear with “Almost there…”.
- When finished, the prompt will disappear and display the inbox for the new account.
- Finally, to send the first email, Microsoft requests an account verification step.
- A prompt should appear with Verify your account.
- Microsoft requires the Country code and a Phone number be provided for verification.
- Once the information has been entered, click the Send code
- A new box will appear with Enter the access code. Provide the code obtained via SMS text message. If a code has not been received, click the I didn’t get a code text to send another.
- Once the code has been provided, click Verify.
- The verification step can take a minute, but if the code is not entered in a timely manner, it may give an error. Request a new code and complete the step above.
- The verification window will disappear and the message(s) will be sent out.
- Congratulations! A new personal Outlook account has been set up.
Any questions or problems with this guide can be directed to the Office of Information Security via email at ociso@tntech.edu or phone, extension 3913, 6859, or 3400.
Setting up a Gmail Address
- Open a web browser window and navigate to google.com.
- Click the blue Create account link and then select For myself.
- A prompt will appear for Create your Google Account.
- Complete the required fields:
- First and Last name.
- The desired Username
Note: This is what is displayed before the @ symbol of the email (e.g. joebuser@gmail.com).- If the desired username is already taken, an error message in red text will be displayed: “That username is taken. Try another.”
- Desired password. (Must use 8 or more characters with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols.)
- If the desired password did not meet the complexity requirements, an error message in red text will be displayed: “Please choose a stronger password. Try a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols.”
- Click Next.
- Complete the required fields:
- Optional but recommended steps:
- Enter a mobile phone number. (Note: This is used only for account security/recovery in the event of a forgotten password and will not be visible to others.)
- Enter a recovery email address. (Note: This is used only for account security/recovery in the event of a forgotten password and will not be visible to others.)
- Enter your birthday. (Note: Used to verify your identity should you ever need to reset your password.)
- Enter your gender.
- Click Next.
- If a phone number was entered:
- Select Send to be texted a 6-digit code to verify the number.
- Enter the verification code sent to the listed phone.
- If this is not a mobile phone:
- Click Call instead to be given an audio code.
- Click Verify.
- Select Send to be texted a 6-digit code to verify the number.
- At the Get more from your number screen:
- Click Skip.
- Select Not now to verify later.
- Read the Privacy and Terms.
- (Optional: Read the MORE OPTIONS settings by clicking the expansion link.)
- When finished, click the "I agree" button.
- The Google Account dashboard will be loaded and displayed.
- To access the new Gmail address:
- Go to www.gmail.com.
- Click through the Welcome messages.
- A box named Setup Progress will be displayed at the bottom of the page, which will show how to use Gmail as well as customize any settings.
- As each link is clicked, it will be marked as complete, or:
- Click the small “x” to close the window and skip the tour.
- Congratulations! A new personal Gmail account has been set up.
Any questions or problems with this guide can be directed to the Office of Information Security via email at ociso@tntech.edu or phone, extension 3913, 6859, or 3400.