Adjusting Mail App Sync Settings

Search and open Mail settings

To ensure that your Mail app is functioning properly and syncing your emails, the first step is to locate the settings within the app. Begin by opening the Mail app on your Windows device. Once the Mail app is open, look for the gear-shaped icon typically located in the bottom left corner of the window. Clicking this icon will open a settings menu that will allow you to make necessary adjustments to your email accounts and synchronization settings.

Access Manage accounts and select the problematic email account

In the settings menu, you'll find an option labeled "Manage accounts." Click on this to view a list of all the email accounts that you have added to the Mail app. From here, you must identify the email account that is having synchronization issues. Once you've located the account in question, select it to access its individual settings and begin the process of adjusting the sync settings to correct any problems you are experiencing.

Change mailbox sync settings to download new content “as items arrive”

After selecting the problematic account, search for an option labeled "Change mailbox sync settings" and click on it. Here, you'll find various settings that control the frequency and extent of email synchronization. Look for a section titled "Download new content" and expand the dropdown menu. Select the option "as items arrive" to ensure that the Mail app attempts to sync new emails as soon as they arrive in your inbox, providing you with the most up-to-date messages without manual refreshes.

Set 'Download email from' to a specific time period

Just below the "Download new content" setting, you will find another setting labeled "Download email from." This option allows you to determine how far back the Mail app should go when syncing your emails. To ensure that you don't miss any old messages, you may want to set this to "any time" which will direct the Mail app to sync all messages regardless of their age. However, if you only need recent emails, you can select a more specific time frame from the dropdown menu.

Turn on all options in the Sync menu and save

The last section within the mailbox sync settings contains various sync options. These options often include syncing email, calendar events, and contacts. Ensure that all the toggles are turned on so that all aspects of your account are kept in sync with the Mail app. Doing so ensures a comprehensive synchronization experience. After checking that all desired options are enabled, find and click the "Save" button usually located at the bottom of the settings pane to apply and save the changes you've made. Restart your PC to allow the new settings to take full effect and check to see if the synchronization issue has been resolved.

Whitelisting Mail App in Windows Firewall

Open firewall settings using Win+R and firewall.cpl command

Ensuring that the Mail and Calendar apps have the necessary permissions to communicate through Windows Firewall is crucial for proper syncing. To access the Windows Firewall settings, you can use the Run dialog. Press the Windows key + R to bring up the Run dialog box. Here, type in firewall.cpl and press Enter. This command will lead you directly to the Windows Defender Firewall control panel.

Navigate to “Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall”

Within the Windows Defender Firewall control panel, you will find several options on the left pane. Look for the link titled “Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall” and click it. This will display a list of apps and features and their respective permissions on the right-hand side.

Click “Change settings” to modify permissions

Before you can make any changes to the permissions, you must click on the “Change settings” button. This will require administrative privileges, and you may be prompted to confirm that you want to allow changes to be made. Once you are in edit mode, you can alter the permissions as needed for the Mail and Calendar apps.

Find and check both “Private” and “Public” for “Mail and Calendar” app

Scroll through the list until you find the entries for “Mail and Calendar.” There may be separate entries for Mail and Calendar, so ensure that both are included if that is the case. Once located, check both the "Private" and "Public" boxes for these apps. This allows them to communicate through the firewall, whether you are connected to a private network, such as your home WiFi, or a public network, like a coffee shop hotspot.

Save changes and optionally restart the system

After selecting the appropriate checkboxes, you'll need to save your changes by clicking the “OK” button at the bottom of the window. This will update the firewall settings to include the Mail and Calendar apps on the whitelist, meaning they will not be blocked from syncing your emails and calendar data. After saving the changes, it's a good practice to restart your system to ensure all the new settings take effect properly. Check your Mail app after rebooting to see if the synchronization issues have been resolved.

Resetting the Entire Mail App

Open Settings and go to “Apps”

If your Windows Mail app is still not syncing emails properly after trying various fixes, it might be time to perform a complete app reset. Doing this effectively restores the app to its default settings and can resolve persistent issues. First, access the Settings app on your Windows system. You can do this quickly by pressing the Windows key + I, which opens the Settings menu directly. Once in Settings, navigate to the "Apps" section by clicking on the corresponding option. This area will allow you to manage all the installed apps on your system.

Navigate to “Installed apps” and search for Mail app

In the "Apps" section, find and select the "Installed apps" or "Apps & features" option depending on your version of Windows. This will present you with a list of all installed applications on your device. Here, use the search function to locate the Mail app—you can type "Mail and Calendar" into the search bar to find it more quickly. The app is usually listed as "Mail and Calendar" since the two functions are integrated into a single application in Windows.

Click “Advanced options” for Mail and Calendar app

Once you've located the Mail and Calendar app in the list of installed apps, click on it to reveal additional options. Within those options, look for a link or button labeled "Advanced options" and click it. This action will take you to a new section that allows you to access more specific settings for the Mail and Calendar app, including options to repair or reset the application.

Perform app reset in the Recovery section

In the "Advanced options" of the Mail and Calendar app, scroll down until you reach the "Reset" section. Under this section, you might find both "Repair" and "Reset" options. The "Repair" option attempts to fix the app without affecting your app data. As a more drastic measure, you can opt for the "Reset" option. Resetting will reinstall the Mail app and may delete all its data, including your settings and sign-in details, so be prepared to set up your accounts again. To proceed with the reset, click the "Reset" button, confirm the action if prompted, and wait until the process is completed. After the reset is complete, you can open the Mail app and configure your email accounts afresh to start receiving emails seamlessly again.

Trying the New Outlook App

Launch the Mail app and access the menu

For users who have persisting issues with the Mail app on Windows or those who are simply seeking a refreshed email experience, Microsoft offers a modern version of its email client—Outlook. To try this new Outlook app, which often comes with more features and a streamlined interface, start by launching your existing Mail app. Once the Mail app is open, locate the settings or menu icon, which is typically shaped like a cog and positioned in the lower left corner of the app window. Clicking on this icon will allow you to access various settings and additional features within the Mail app.

Select “Try new Outlook” to switch to the new app

Within the settings or menu pane, you might find an option to “Try new Outlook.” This is an invitation to switch from the traditional Mail app to the new Outlook version. By selecting this option, you can initiate the transition process to the updated app. The new Outlook app often includes enhancements in performance, security, and user interface design, potentially providing a better manageability of your email communications and calendar entries.

Log in with email accounts in the new version of the Outlook messaging app

When you choose to try the new Outlook app, you'll typically be guided through a setup process. This will involve logging in with your existing email accounts. Follow the prompts to enter your email address and password for each account you want to use in the new Outlook app. The setup wizard may also have options to import existing settings and data from the traditional Mail app to ensure a smooth transition. Once you've logged in and configured your preferences, you'll gain access to the full suite of features that the new Outlook messaging app has to offer, combined with hopefully improved sync functionality for all of your email correspondence.